Fact or Fiction: Depth chart reaction; preseason preview

The Giants’ most impressive offensive player during joint practices with the Lions was Malik Nabers.

John Schmeelk: Fact – You can extend this out to the entire offseason because that’s how good Malik Nabers has been. He is difficult to cover 1-on-1. He wins at all three levels of the field, creates separation and comes down with contested catches. I could not be more impressed with how quickly he has taken to the offense and how much confidence Daniel Joens has throwing him the ball. I would put Jones second on this list. I thought he had two of his best days of practice against the Lions as he finds his rhythm in the passing game.

Dan Salomone: Fact – However, piggybacking off where Schmeelk ended, you also need to acknowledge Jones. He stepped up in his first reps against an opposing team since the knee injury. In fact, Monday’s first joint practice was nine months to the day from when he tore his right ACL against the Raiders. Brian Daboll brought up a good point this week when he said, “You forget about it sometimes because he looks normal out there. But, for what he’s done … and to come back and take every rep, he feels good. I’ve talked to him about different things. Hey, ‘scrambling, make sure you feel comfortable out of the pocket, make sure you feel comfortable moving up in the pocket. Making plays with your feet.’ He’s been right on track. It’s pretty impressive to me in terms of you have that injury, this is where he’s at, this is what he’s looked like physically. I’m proud of him.”

Matt Citak: Fact – This one is easy. After looking like a star at the start of training camp, Nabers kept the momentum going with the Lions in town. The rookie wide receiver caught nearly every pass thrown in his direction over the two joint practices, including a couple of highlight reel plays. While it is still early in training camp, Nabers has shown exactly why the Giants selected him with the sixth overall pick in this year’s draft. He has all the makings of a certified No. 1 receiver.

The Giants’ most impressive defensive player during joint practices with the Lions was Brian Burns.

John Schmeelk: Fiction – Burns was disruptive and impressive. He was also the player I was most excited to watch during practice given I hadn’t seen him work against a different opponent yet in a Giants uniform. But I still can’t list him above Dexter Lawrence. Despite playing against a strong interior offensive line and one of the league’s best centers in Frank Ragnow, Lawrence consistently put guys on skates and sliding back towards the quarterback. He is unblockable 1-on-1.

Dan Salomone: Fact – Take your pick from the front four, which had a good test against a talented Detroit offensive line. But Burns in particular stood out, showcasing his patented spin move in front of his new fans. “That’s one of his moves, man,” Kayvon Thibodeaux said. “I’m particularly not a spin guy. I haven’t put that in my forte yet. So, to see him do it, I’m always excited. … You talk about for me, I’m more of a power downhill guy. He’s more of an agile, kind of make them move their feet. And I like to go power long arm kind of work off of it.”

Matt Citak: Fact – The Lions have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, if not the best, and it starts with their two tackles. Penei Sewell was first-team All-Pro last year, while Taylor Decker has been one of the most consistent tackles in the league for years. And yet, Burns more than held his own. The Giants’ big offseason acquisition would have had several sacks during the team periods. Even on plays he didn’t get to the quarterback, he was able to push the tackle far enough back where the pocket collapsed around Jared Goff, forcing him to get rid of the football. Burns has looked totally worth the big investment in him so far this summer.

From beginning to end, the position group you need to see the most in the preseason opener is the secondary.

John Schmeelk: Fact – If there is one spot on this roster I still have the most questions about at this point of the summer, it is the secondary. There are still two position battles taking place at the outside cornerback spot opposite Deonte Banks and at safety next to Jason Pinnock. These battles feature young and sometimes untested players. It remains to be seen who the Lions will play at their skill position on Thursday night (we already know Jared Goff is not playing), but every part of the Giants’ depth chart in the secondary will have a chance to show what they can do. There are spots to be won. My honorable mention group is the offensive line. You always need depth at that spot. Even if the starters don’t play, I want to see how the backup tackles (Josh Ezeudu, Yodny Cajuste, Joshua Miles, and Matt Nelson) play against the Lions’ defensive front.

Dan Salomone: Fiction – As Shane Bowen pointed out, the defensive line battle “is as strong as any competition on our team right now.” The defensive coordinator, of course, was talking about the spots next to and behind two-time Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence. Veteran Rakeem Nuñez-Roches is having a big summer, drawing praise from coaches and “younger” teammates. “A lot of people count him out as being an older guy,” Thibodeaux said, “but he’s playing like he’s one of the young guys.” Behind them, it gets interesting. Players like Ryder Anderson, Jordon Riley, D.J. Davidson, and Timmy Horne have all flashed at times. “I feel like we’ve got really good depth,” Bowen said. “And right now, as it stands, there’s going to be some good football players that don’t make this team in that room, and they’re battling. So, it’ll be interesting to see how that shakes out.”

Matt Citak: Fact – While an argument could be made for the offensive line here, I don’t think we will see most of the projected starters. Given the youth surrounding the secondary, it wouldn’t surprise me to see most of those players take the field for at least some snaps on Thursday, especially when it comes to the group of cornerbacks. Outside of Deonte Banks, I would like to see the rest of the corners get some snaps and show how they’ve developed, especially against Detroit’s talented group of wide receivers.