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The New York Giants opened the 2026 preseason with a lackluster 13-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday afternoon at MetLife Stadium. It was a rough go for John Harbaugh, who was coaching his first game with the team.
The snap share was heavily distributed among those in uniform, providing an opportunity to watch players who are fiercely battling for roster spots.
Whose stock is up and whose is down after the preseason-opening loss? Let's take a look.
In his return to the Giants, Odell Beckham Jr. caught just two passes on three targets for six yards. If someone were to read the box score, they'd view that as poor production and a knock against his chances. But as OBJ says, the tape doesn't lie. He ran crisp routes and was consistently open -- the Giants just couldn't get him the ball.
Perhaps more importantly, Beckham was a willing and stout blocker on Saturday. That will catch the eye of Harbaugh, who places great emphasis on his receivers being able to block downfield.
Brandon Allen is not going to make the 53-man roster unless there's an injury. That's the reality of his situation, but he still did himself no favors on Saturday. The veteran journeyman threw two ugly interceptions -- one into double coverage and another directly to a linebacker -- and repeatedly missed Beckham Jr. running wide open down the field.
The rookie made his presence felt on Saturday, carrying over the momentum he's created in training camp to the field. Fields caught all three of his targets for 34 yards, including a beautiful 15-yard touchdown reception off the arm of quarterback Jaxson Dart. In what was effectively a scramble drill, Fields worked with Dart off-script and then high-pointed the pass, giving his defender no chance to break up the play.
With D.J. Reader and Shelby Harris sitting out, Josh Tupou was given the start, and he was immediately targeted. Minnesota ran directly at the 32-year-old, carving out big gains as he was pushed out of the lane and swallowed up. Likely on the bubble, Tupou must come back with a stronger week of practice and then put better play on film against the Miami Dolphins.
The rookie sixth-round pick stood out in a very positive way on Saturday, finishing the game with a team-leading five tackles (two solo). But his biggest play won't show up in the box score. On a third-and-5 late in the second quarter, Kelly bullrushed the running back directly into the lap of quarterback J.J. McCarthy, forcing him out of the pocket and into the waiting arms of defensive tackle Darius Alexander for the sack.
On consecutive third-and-goal plays for the Vikings, cornerbacks Art Green and Korie Black committed costly pass interference penalties, turning two key stuffs in additional opportunities for Minnesota. The result? A one-yard Carson Wentz touchdown pass that turned out to be the winning score.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants stock report: Whose is up, down after preseason loss to Vikings?
Continue reading...
The snap share was heavily distributed among those in uniform, providing an opportunity to watch players who are fiercely battling for roster spots.
Whose stock is up and whose is down after the preseason-opening loss? Let's take a look.
Stock up: WR Odell Beckham Jr.
In his return to the Giants, Odell Beckham Jr. caught just two passes on three targets for six yards. If someone were to read the box score, they'd view that as poor production and a knock against his chances. But as OBJ says, the tape doesn't lie. He ran crisp routes and was consistently open -- the Giants just couldn't get him the ball.
Perhaps more importantly, Beckham was a willing and stout blocker on Saturday. That will catch the eye of Harbaugh, who places great emphasis on his receivers being able to block downfield.
Stock down: QB Brandon Allen
Brandon Allen is not going to make the 53-man roster unless there's an injury. That's the reality of his situation, but he still did himself no favors on Saturday. The veteran journeyman threw two ugly interceptions -- one into double coverage and another directly to a linebacker -- and repeatedly missed Beckham Jr. running wide open down the field.
Stock up: WR Malachi Fields
The rookie made his presence felt on Saturday, carrying over the momentum he's created in training camp to the field. Fields caught all three of his targets for 34 yards, including a beautiful 15-yard touchdown reception off the arm of quarterback Jaxson Dart. In what was effectively a scramble drill, Fields worked with Dart off-script and then high-pointed the pass, giving his defender no chance to break up the play.
Stock down: DT Josh Tupou
With D.J. Reader and Shelby Harris sitting out, Josh Tupou was given the start, and he was immediately targeted. Minnesota ran directly at the 32-year-old, carving out big gains as he was pushed out of the lane and swallowed up. Likely on the bubble, Tupou must come back with a stronger week of practice and then put better play on film against the Miami Dolphins.
Stock up: LB Jack Kelly
The rookie sixth-round pick stood out in a very positive way on Saturday, finishing the game with a team-leading five tackles (two solo). But his biggest play won't show up in the box score. On a third-and-5 late in the second quarter, Kelly bullrushed the running back directly into the lap of quarterback J.J. McCarthy, forcing him out of the pocket and into the waiting arms of defensive tackle Darius Alexander for the sack.
Stock down: CB Art Green, CB Korie Black
On consecutive third-and-goal plays for the Vikings, cornerbacks Art Green and Korie Black committed costly pass interference penalties, turning two key stuffs in additional opportunities for Minnesota. The result? A one-yard Carson Wentz touchdown pass that turned out to be the winning score.
Mixed stock:
- QB Jaxson Dart
- CB Deonte Banks
More stock up:
- DL Chauncey Golston
- DT Darius Alexander
- RB Devin Singletary
- K Ben Sauls
- WR Dalen Cambre
- LB Trace Ford
- LB Arvell Reese
More stock down:
- OL Bryan Hudson
- TE Thomas Fidone
- LS Ben Mann
- WR Isaiah Hodgins
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants stock report: Whose is up, down after preseason loss to Vikings?
Continue reading...
