Unlike the first two weeks, the New York Giants will give their starters an extensive amount of playing time on Sunday against the New England Patriots. The Giants lost the first two preseason matchups against the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns. With this preseason matchup following two joint practices on Wednesday and Thursday, the Giants’ starters should have a better look at what the New England Patriots have to offer. There are a few key Giants players to watch in this preseason action.
Five Intriguing New York Giants Players to Watch Against the Patriots
Quarterback Daniel Jones
It was not until last-minute that Joe Judge declared that most starters would not play in last Sunday’s matchup in Cleveland, confusing many. With a full week of practice, including two joint practices against the Patriots, Jones has the opportunity to give a glimpse of his potential this upcoming season.
Overall, the Giants were a mixed bag in joint practices. The offense and defense played better on Thursday, after having a rough outing on Wednesday. However, those are just joint practices.
Jones’ pocket awareness will be put to the test as he will be getting hit by pass-rushers like Matt Judon, Chase Winovich, and Josh Uche. The offensive line had its ups and downs during the week, but it is Jones’ job to rise above it. Once again, Jones needs to prove he is a better quarterback option than Mike Glennon.
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Linebacker Lorenzo Carter
Lorenzo Carter is coming off a torn Achilles and did not play in the first two preseason matchups. So far, he has had one of the best training camps in his NFL career. In the last two sets of joint practices, Carter applied pressure to Baker Mayfield and Mac Jones. Unfortunately, the “sacks” were not whistled dead like a regular game and the plays went on.
Now that he will get snaps in an actual live game, Carter will be able to showcase his improved pass-rush skillset. With an improved secondary, Carter can get to the quarterback faster.
Offensive Tackle Nate Solder
Nate Solder has not played in a live-action game since December of 2019. He took 2020 off for personal reasons. Many have questioned whether he would be physically fit enough to earn a role on this team. So far during training camp, according to reports, Solder is proving many people wrong. Within the last week, he took reps at both left and right tackle on the first team and was very impressive.
In the last few weeks, second-year tackle Matt Peart has struggled in training camp. Bryce Huff beat him for a sack in the preseason game against the Jets in Week 1. He also struggled against the Browns and has reportedly been struggling with the Patriots pass rushers in camp. This game likely provides Solder the opportunity to earn himself a starting spot for Week 1.
Linebacker Trent Harris
Many are shocked by the way Trent Harris is performing this summer. The Giants signed Harris to the practice squad in October of last season. He worked his way up onto the active roster, playing in four games, before being released and re-signed to the practice squad. During those four games, Harris accumulated five tackles, 0.5 sacks, and one quarterback pressure.
Coming into training camp, Harris had an uphill battle to fight. The Giants did a lot at the outside linebacker spot this off-season by drafting Azeez Ojulari and Elerson Smith, while signing Ifeadi Odenigbo. Many of those acquisitions have not come to fruition yet, however.
Ojulari has been limited in camp recently due to injury, Elerson Smith is working his way back from the PUP list and Ifeadi Odenigbo has been invisible. Lorenzo Carter has shown out in camp, while Oshane Ximines made the most of his reps last Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. Unfortunately like many other second-team players, Ximines did not set the edge in the ground game. The Browns rushed for 163 yards against Big Blue last Sunday.
Though the stat sheet may not tell you a lot about him, Trent Harris flew all over the field last Sunday against Cleveland and made the best effort at setting the edge. With many pass rushers being one-dimensional on the roster and the new defensive line depth trying to replicate Dalvin Tomlinson’s talent, the Giants need personnel that can play the run and the pass.
Trent Harris is not a game-changer, but he has shown the basic fundamentals so far in training camp. He will be a player to watch for Sunday’s game.
Defensive Back Julian Love
The New York Giants drafted Julian Love in the fourth-round of the 2019 NFL Draft. James Bettcher converted him to safety and Love soon got snaps before the bye week against the New York Jets. With Jabrill Peppers on injured reserve, Love showed out and overwhelmed rookie expectations.
While Logan Ryan and Xavier McKinney entered the mix in 2020, Julian Love endured a sophomore slump. With more talent being imported on to the roster, many felt Love did not have a role on this team. He started the last two of three games at cornerback for the Giants, rather than safety.
So far in training camp, Darnay Holmes once again is being picked on a lot and is having trouble recovering. An ankle sprain sidelined Adoree Jackson a few days ago and has a chance at playing in Week 1 against the Broncos. Rookie Aaron Robinson is working his way off the PUP List.
With Holmes struggling, Love has stepped in time and time again at the nickel cornerback spot. Knowing that he played outside cornerback against the Browns and Cowboys in 2020, he can make a case to be the cornerback opposite James Bradberry until Jackson comes back. It will be interesting to see how long and what role Love plays on Sunday.
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