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Players to watch in preseason opener against Lions

PLAYERS-TO-WATCH-LIONS

The Giants open up the 2024 preseason against the Detroit Lions on Thursday night at MetLife Stadium.

The two teams met for joint practices on Monday and Tuesday, which led to some competitive and spirited sessions. While it remains to be seen which players from both teams will suit up and take the field Thursday, the preseason opener will go a long way in shaping the roster.

The joint practices served as valuable experience for the Giants' young players, as it provided an opportunity to face off against a new opponent for the first time this summer. Additionally, it allows the Giants' front office a chance to take a close look at the Lions' roster, as a good number of the players that took the field in East Rutherford this week will end up being cut.

"It's good for the competition," coach Brian Daboll said before the start of joint practices. "It's also good for the evaluation part of it because not every player is going to make a team and you might see somebody that stands out that maybe doesn't make it, and you have some history with them. You're able to evaluate them a little bit more closely than you would just on tape through a couple practices, so absolutely."

Again, Daboll has yet to announce who will and will not play in the preseason opener. But with all of that said, here are players to watch in the preseason opener.

Rookies

Thursday's game will represent the first time that the six-person draft class will put on a Giants jersey. Each member of the 2024 draft class has had some moments during the first two weeks of training camp, and while we may not see all six players take the field Thursday, many of the draft picks should see at least some playing time.

WR Malik Nabers has been one of the stars of training camp, and that continued this week with the Lions in town. Nabers caught nearly every ball thrown his way over the two practice sessions as he continues to shine during his first NFL summer. He is listed as one of the starting wide receivers on the team's first unofficial depth chart.

"Competitive," Daboll said Tuesday when asked what he saw from Nabers during Monday's practice. "Knows what to do. Been playing at a high level in practice, (we'll) see if that translates to the games. I have a lot of confidence in Malik."

S Tyler Nubin missed some time early in camp due to a calf injury, but the second-round pick has been back on the practice field for the past week. Nubin is currently slotted as the backup safety on the unofficial depth chart.

CB Dru Phillips found himself in the middle of all of the action against the Lions this week. The rookie cornerback has gotten his hands on the ball a couple of times over the last few days, and is slotted as the starting nickel corner on the unofficial depth chart.

"The last few days he's shown up, so continue to work and have progress with him," Daboll said about the rookie corner. "We have different packages with different guys in there, but he's had a good, call it, the last three days of practice."

After starting the summer on the physically unable to perform list, TE Theo Johnson was activated a few days into camp and has since shown off his athleticism on a daily basis. Johnson is currently listed as the fourth tight end on the unofficial depth chart.

RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. has had some explosive moments over the first two weeks of camp. The converted wide receiver has shown great hands in the passing game while also displaying great burst as a runner. Tracy is listed as the third running back in addition to the fifth kick and punt returner (along with Ayir Asante).

"Yeah, the three rookies, I'd say on offense, Tracy, Theo, and Nabers, I told you before we put a high premium on intelligent players, knowing what to do, why it's important," Daboll told the media last week. "The added benefit of a player that you can't always evaluate is instincts. If he's here, it's not just running lines on paper or adjusting on a run scheme. I'd say those three things, his intelligence, their effort, and then you add the instincts to it for those three young players. That's unique. Now we'll see if they can carry it forward."

Finally, LB Darius Muasau has gotten some reps at both linebacker and on special teams and made plays on both. Muasau is lited as the third inside linebacker.

The New York Giants hosted the Detroit Lions for joint practices ahead of Thursday's preseason opener.

WR Isaiah McKenzie

Isaiah McKenzie is one of the most experienced players in the wide receiver room. After entering the NFL as a fifth-round pick in 2017, McKenzie has registered 152 receptions in 93 games, while also playing extensively on special teams. The 29-year-old is currently listed as the second wide receiver behind Wan'Dale Robinson, as well as the second kick and punt returner behind Gunner Olszewski. Thursday's game should provide McKenzie a great opportunity to showcase his skills as both a receiver and a returner.

"He is an energy guy," Daboll said Tuesday. "He's an energy guy in the classroom, and he's a very good teammate. He knows how we want to play. He can play fast because he knows the system pretty well. He's going to have an opportunity to return punts, and that's going to be an important evaluation process for him. But he's been a good addition to that room and to the punt return room, so there will be some competition with Gunner Olszewski. We'll see how that competition unfolds…

"I have a very good relationship with Isaiah, I'd say both on and off the field. That's important. But the most important thing is we think he can play. He's right in the mix. He's competing. He understands that. He's been nothing but a good teammate, and I'm glad he's here."

TE Daniel Bellinger

The competition at the tight end position is perhaps the most interesting training camp battle on the entire roster. Third-year tight end Daniel Bellinger has caught 55 passes for 523 yards and two touchdowns across his first two seasons with the Giants, in addition to a two-yard rushing touchdown.

Bellinger is currently listed as the starting tight end on the team's unofficial depth chart. Both Lawrence Cager and Jack Stoll have missed the last few practices and are unlikely to play against the Lions. If those two are out for the preseason opener, that leaves Bellinger, Chris Manhertz, Theo Johnson and Tyree Jackson as the only healthy tight ends.

DL Ryder Anderson

Most of the starters on the Giants' defense have already been established, but one position that is still up for grabs is the spot next to Dexter Lawrence on the defensive line. There is a competition brewing to earn that spot in the starting lineup, and one of the intriguing players in the mix is Ryder Anderson.

Anderson has been with the Giants since 2022 when he signed as an undrafted free agent. While he has spent most of the last two seasons on the practice squad, Anderson did appear in seven games (with two starts) during the 2022 campaign. He registered two sacks along with eight total tackles (four solo). Over the first two weeks of training camp, Anderson has found his way to the backfield on several occasions for sacks or pressures, and has also broken up a few passes. Anderson is currently listed as the second defensive tackle behind veteran Rakeem Nunez-Roches.

ILB Dyontae Johnson

One player that has really helped his case over the first few weeks of camp has been inside linebacker Dyontae Johnson. After signing with the Giants as an undrafted free agent last year, Johnson spent the entire season on the practice squad. The linebacker has been all over the field this summer, making plays in both coverage and as a pass rusher. Johnson, who is listed as the second inside linebacker behind Micah McFadden, could make a strong argument towards making the team with a good showing against the Lions on Thursday.

"I've been very pleased with him up to this point," defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said last week. "He's doing a really good job. I think he's, again, fighting for a role. You know, fighting for a role. And like I tell those guys, those backup positions, special teams are going to be a vital part of that. But defensively for us, he's done a really good job for us stepping in there, and he's been productive."

"He's a playmaker," Bobby Okereke added. "He's athletic. Profile-wise, he kind of looks like me out there. So, he's a good player."

View rare photos from the all-time series between the New York Giants and Detroit Lions.

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