New York Giants Risers and Fallers from Preseason

Here's a look at the risers and fallers from the preseason.

Author:
Brandon Olsen
Publish date:
Aug 26, 2023 10:06 PM EDT

In this story:

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - With the 2023 preseason wrapping for the New York Giants, who fell to the New York Jets 32-24 Saturday at MetLife Stadium, let's take a look at which young players helped themselves in a quest for a roster spot and who did not.

Riser: WR Jalin Hyatt

Jalin Hyatt's roster spot was never questioned, but we're including him in the riser category because he went up against 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year Sauce Gardner.

Hyatt won and lost some reps, but considering he was going against one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL and held his own, that’s a big win.

On the first play from scrimmage, Hyatt ran a stop-and-go and then used his speed to run right past Gardner, but unfortunately, the ball was uncatchable. On the next drive, Hyatt would gain a step on Gardner again but could not capitalize due to a slightly underthrown ball that would be batted away.

Again, Hyatt has this roster made--that was never a question. But how encouraging was it to see him stand toe-to-toe with one of the best in the game right now?

Faller: RB Gary Brightwell

The third-year running back didn’t suit up on Saturday night because of an injury that significantly reduced his playing time. And because of this, combined with the play of Jashaun Corbin and James Robinson, pretty much seals Brightwell's fate.

Saquon Barkley, Eric Gray, and Matt Breida are making the Giants' 53-man roster. That left Brightwell, Corbin, and James Robinson battling for the last spot in the running back room.

If there’s only one spot available, Robinson made a strong case during the preseason finale that he’s still the James Robinson that broke out with a 1,000-yard season as a rookie in 2020. He finished as the Giants rushing leader this preseason ( yards) and was the rushing leader against the Jets (55 yards on ten carries).

Corbin was no slouch either this summer, finishing with 51 yards on carries and putting a lot of solid pass-pro blocks together. We still think Corbin will get the nod, but Robinson sure did help his case, while Brightwell did not.

Riser: Carter Coughlin

Coughlin is another guy who may have been a borderline roster cut at the start of the summer but who has done everything possible to secure his roster spot. He finished with five tackles, two pass breakups, a quarterback hit, and two special teams tackles, ensuring he'll be at least one of four projected inside linebackers this team keeps.

Faller: Matt Peart

Peart went the distance for the Giants at left tackle, which was ugly. Simply put, he was a human turnstile all night, allowing at least two sacks and a bunch of pressures and accounting for one false start.

We're not sure why Tyre Phillips didn't get any snaps in this game- perhaps because he has the roster made- but just think how much better the third- and fourth-string offense might have been had it not featured a turnstile at tackle.

Riser: LB Isaiah Simmons

Giants general manager Joe Schoen made waves earlier this week by trading a seventh-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for the young defensive weapon. Linebacker Isaiah Simmons had never really latched on with the Cardinals, but part of that was the Cardinals constantly changing his role in the defense.

Simmons carries a big name due to his collegiate career and unique height/weight/speed skillset, but his play on the field has underwhelmed his draft status. The trade to the Giants will allow Simmons to get a fresh start and play in a defense that will maximize his talent.

Eric Edholm of NFL.com raised a great point about Simmons, noting, “Versatility is great in a draft prospect --unless it’s the main selling point.” For Simmons, the main selling point was, in fact, his versatility because of his linebacker size with safety athleticism.

With Wink Martindale’s scheme, Simmons will get to thrive as a downhill player and showcased some of that on Saturday night working as a pass-rusher off the edge in the first quarter.

Riser: QB Tommy DeVito

The Giants might not be looking to keep a third quarterback on the roster this year, but if there was ever a case to do so, Tommy DeVito has spent the entire preseason making it. The strong play by the undrafted rookie continued on Saturday night against the Jets.

DeVito’s first drive of the night ended with an interception that Brandin Echols returned for a touchdown. After that interception, DeVito would finish the night with 16 more completions on 24 more pass attempts.

He’s not the most physically gifted quarterback. Still, with his strong preseason that showcased his ability to extend plays in the pocket and make easy completions, DeVito could come into the game in a pinch and manage the offense.

DeVito had to deal with a vicious Jets pass rush behind an even more vicious, in the worst way possible, Giants backup offensive line. He protected the football while leading the offense to 24 points on drives that went 14 plays for 81 yards, as well as two two-minute drill drives that went 55 yards on ten plays in 1 minute and 59 seconds before the half and 75 yards on six plays in 2 minutes and eight seconds.