New York Giants DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

New York Giants first-round pick Malik Nabers made his highly anticipated NFL debut on Thursday night against the Detroit Lions. The rookie wide receiver, who has been a camp standout, saw limited action, playing just 12 snaps with the second-team offense. Despite running eight routes, Drew Lock didn't target Nabers, leaving fantasy managers with a goose egg in the stat column. However, don't let this quiet night fool you. Nabers was open on several occasions, showcasing the route-running prowess that has coaches buzzing. While the box score may be barren, his ability to create separation is undeniable. Keep a close eye on Nabers as he earns more playing time; his breakout potential remains sky-high in this Giants' offense. This is a classic "don't chase the points, trust the process" situation for savvy managers.

New York Giants rookie sensation Dante Miller made his presence known in the team's preseason opener against the Detroit Lions on Thursday night. The undrafted free agent out of South Carolina showcased his elite burst, tallying 57 yards on just 11 carries. While the stat line might not jump off the page, Miller's performance was a clear indicator of his potential value as a change-of-pace back in the Giants' offense. Miller's 5.2 yards per carry highlighted his ability to find seams and turn the corner with ease, a skill set the Giants have sorely lacked. His combination of speed and vision was on full display, especially during a 19-yard scamper that electrified the Giants' sideline and gave fantasy managers a glimpse of his upside. With Devin Singletary locked in as the starter, Miller is carving out a role that could see him make this team.

Running back Eric Gray showed the New York Giants that their investment in him is starting to pay dividends in Thursday's 14-3 win over the Detroit Lions. The second-year back had a breakout performance, totaling 98 yards from scrimmage and scoring twice. Gray's night was highlighted by a stunning 48-yard touchdown run that had echoes of his college days and reminded fantasy managers why the Giants took a flier on him in the fifth round last year. But it wasn't just the flashy run; Gray also showed versatility by adding 46 receiving yards on top of his 52 rushing yards, making him a dual-threat weapon. His second score, a gritty one-yard plunge, sealed the victory and might have sealed his spot as a serious fantasy option moving forward. With Devin Singletary as the starter for now, Gray's emerging role could make him a sneaky pickup in deeper leagues, especially if the Giants look to lighten Singletary's workload.

New York Giants third-string quarterback Tommy Devito was thrown into the fire in the team's preseason opener against the Lions after Drew Lock (hip) exited early with an injury. While he didn't light up the stat sheet, he managed to steady the ship. DeVito went 8-for-15 with 92 passing yards, showing flashes of composure but failing to find the end zone. The young quarterback also chipped in two yards on four rushes, but his legs weren't much of a factor. DeVito's performance was far from fantasy-relevant, but he did what backup quarterbacks are supposed to do: keep the offense moving without making costly mistakes. While his yards per attempt won't supplant Daniel Jones, DeVito's ability to avoid turnovers is a positive takeaway. If Lock's injury lingers, DeVito may see more snaps in training camp and the final two games.

Most New York Giants starters, including quarterback Daniel Jones and rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, are not expected to play on Thursday in their preseason opener against the visiting Detroit Lions in East Rutherford. The two teams had two intense joint-practices this week. Next week, the Giants don't have any joint practices before Saturday's preseason game against the Texans in Houston. That seems like the most likely spot to get the first-team offense and defense some preseason playing time. While it's no surprise to see New York hold out Jones after the signal-caller tore his ACL last season, it says a lot about the organization's belief in Nabers that they aren't pushing him to get as many exhibition snaps as possible. Fantasy managers will likely have to wait at least another week before they catch their first glimpse of the LSU standout and 2024 No. 6 overall pick in professional game action.