The New York Giants will play their final preseason game tonight on August 21, facing off against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium.
With roster cuts looming next Tuesday, the Giants are expected to give their bubble candidates plenty of run in this outing, and The Athletic’s NYG beat reporter Dan Duggan highlighted seven players who have the “most on the line” ahead of Thursday night.
First up was second-year running back Dante Miller. “Does Cam Skattebo’s return squeeze out Turbo [Miller]?” Duggan pondered.
Earlier in the morning on August 21, NorthJersey.com beat writer Art Stapleton noted that “I’m hoping we see Cam Skattebo tonight. The way he was involved in Tuesday’s fully padded practice, I think it’d be good to get the rookie some live reps vs. Patriots.”
Of course, more reps for Skattebo could mean fewer to go around for Miller.
The former UDFA fan favorite has been racking up yardage as a receiver this preseason, with 11 catches for 123 yards, but he’s failed to impress as a runner. On 15 carries, Miller has only totaled 39 rushing yards.
From there, Duggan continued straight into an undecided roster battle.
Giants Preseason Finale Features Returner Competition: Ihmir Smith-Marsette vs. Gunner Olszewski
After Miller, Duggan identified two bubble candidates who are likely fighting for one roster spot.
“Ihmir Smith-Marsette [and] Gunner Olszewski,” he wrote. Adding: “Who will emerge as the top returner?”
When Smith-Marsette (pictured) re-signed on a $1.337 million-plus contract that included $75,000 guaranteed, most assumed the returner job was his. That changed when the Giants brought back Olszewski late in the process this summer.
Through two preseason outings against the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets, Smith-Marsette and Olszewski have identical kick return averages of 23.0 yards per return. However, Smith-Marsette has averaged more yards per punt return, at 11.5 compared to 8.0.
Adding one more wrinkle, Olszewski has consistently done more as a wide receiver, with 7 receptions for 44 yards and 1 touchdown this summer. Smith-Marsette has recorded just 1 catch for 5 yards.
This could be one of the tightest roster battles the Giants have in 2025.
Giants Defenders Who Have a Lot Riding on the Patriots Matchup Ahead of Roster Cuts
The final four bubble candidates that Duggan called attention to were all defensive players, although some of them double as special teamers.
One perfect example of that is linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, who was brought in as a veteran free agent this spring.
“[Flannigan-Fowles] has missed a lot of time,” Duggan relayed. Questioning: “Does he play tonight? Is he safe if he doesn’t?”
Safety K’Von Wallace is another new addition who appears to be on the roster bubble.
“[Wallace has] been behind Raheem Layne at safety all camp,” Duggan reminded. “Layne won’t play tonight, so can Wallace show enough to snatch a spot?”
Another member of the secondary found themselves on Duggan’s list, too, backup nickel cornerback Nic Jones.
“Some corners are hurt ([Deonte] Banks, [Tre] Hawkins, [Korie] Black), so there should be plenty of playing time for Jones,” the reporter went on. “Can he secure a spot as the backup nickel? Does he see time at safety to add more versatility?”
Finally, Duggan identified a former fifth-round draft pick, defensive lineman D.J. Davidson.
“Can [Davidson] force them to keep a sixth DL?” The NYG beat reporter wondered.
Players like Dexter Lawrence, Roy Robertson-Harris, Darius Alexander, Elijah Chatman, and Rakeem Nunez-Roches are all presumably ahead of Davidson on the depth chart, as he competes with fellow roster hopefuls like Jeremiah Ledbetter, Elijah Garcia and Jordon Riley.
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