The New York Giants won their preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park on Saturday, 34-25. There is a lot of optimism as their 2025 rookie class looks like a banner one for the second year in a row.
Let’s take a look at how they performed on Saturday and grade those performances.
LB Abdul Carter
Abdul Carter played sparingly in the first half. His official line was one assisted tackle, but he gave Bills Pro Bowl tackle Dion Dawkins all he could handle.
Grade: A
QB Jaxson Dart
One didn’t have to look far to find out how Jaxson Dart fared on Saturday. Sources around the league discussed his success all over social media. He looked confident and capable. There’s no question whether he can handle the job as a rookie. QB controversy here we come.
The line: 12-of-19 passing for 154 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions. Three rushes, 24 yards.
Grade: A
DT Darius Alexander
Darius Alexander got to see some action on Saturday but did not make the scoresheet. He was relatively quiet, and the Giants’ defensive line was once again not very impactful with Dexter Lawrence out of the lineup. Alexander does not look like the player the Giants’ front office advertised when they drafted him, but it’s early. In fairness, it looks as if he faced double-teams on many snaps.
Grade: C
OL Marcus Mbow
Marcus Mbow, however, does look like the player the Giants thought they were getting. He is a battler who played both tackle positions in this game, and you didn’t hear a peep out of anyone who tried to get past him. Mbow looks like he could be an answer at tackle for the Giants. He’s nasty.
Grade: A+
TE Thomas Fidone
Thomas Fidone’s talent has never been in question. He was the top tight end coming out of high school a few years back alongside Brock Bowers. Knee injuries ruined his college career. That’s all behind him, now, and the Giants are benefiting from taking a flyer on him. He caught all three targets for 22 yards and had a two-point conversion.
Grade: B+
Undrafted free agents
Wide receiver Jorday Bly had an eight-yard reception. Juice Wells and Dalen Cambre were each targeted twice but did not have a catch. Cornerbacks O’Donnell Fortune and T.J. Moore each had three total tackles, and linebacker Trace Ford recovered a fumble.
Grade: B
Incomplete
Running back Cam Skattebo, cornerback Korie Black, and UDFA wide receiver Beaux Collins did not play.
