The Giants enter 2025 with a promising offense and a revamped pass rush, but the run defense remains the unit under the most scrutiny. Through two preseason games, Pro Football Focus grades and depth-chart realities paint a picture of a defense that still leaks yards on the ground, with opponents grinding out four-plus yards per carry and many tackles coming with unfavorable angles. Dexter Lawrence anchors the interior, but when he's out, the line struggles to hold the point of attack, forcing linebackers to scrape through clutter and miss more tackles than coaches would like. The roster battle plan centers on practical depth pieces who can step up when the lights are brighter in the regular season. Segment-by-segment breakdowns lean into interior offensive line battles (Joshua Isudu vs Jake Kubas), tight end intrigue (Thomas Fidoni, Greg Doulick, Daniel Bellinger), and the shifting group of linebackers and defensive backs who must contribute on all three downs. Cap space looms as a practical constraint, with the team weighing pay cuts or restructures for veteran pillars to fund the year while keeping core pieces intact. The takeaway for fantasy and betting is clear: the Giants likely lean on a tighter rotation up front, but meaningful improvement hinges on a cleaner, more disciplined run defense that can free up the pass rush to do what it was built to do.

Two joint Giants Jets practices yielded clear fantasy angles. Giants offensive line depth showed progress on day two with Evan Neal back at guard and a more cohesive run game, even as Thomas and Luminar missed action. Dexter Lawrence II anchored the interior, strengthening run defense, while Dane Belton began to flash as a versatile subpackage piece. Jalin Hyatt offered burst potential but struggled to separate consistently amid a deep Giants WR corps, and Sauce Gardner’s absence on day two gave Giants’ receivers extra looks in the interim.

Defensive wrinkles emerged for New York, with Belton sliding into the slot and safeties like Belton and Dexter Lawrence guiding the coverage. Jets blitzes and edge looks varied, though their secondary depth was tested without Gardner. The positional fragility around the Giants' O-line depth and corner depth remained a theme, while Hyatt’s development and Belton’s role stood out as potential fantasy pivots as the preseason unfolds.

Overall, expect Giants to lean on interior run-stopping and Belton’s hybrid role to maximize defensive versatility, while Hyatt and the receiver group compete for snaps. Jets will rely on a developing secondary and creative blitzes, with Gardner’s health a key variable for their defensive ceiling. Main takeaway for fantasy: monitor OL health, Belton’s slot usage, Hyatt’s development, and Gardner’s practice availability as the summer progresses.

Giants’ offense commanded the spotlight in Buffalo, cruising to a 34-25 preseason win while flashing a crisp, error-minimized approach. Rookie feel aside, the unit moved the ball efficiently, with 12 possessions producing several extended drives and a 12‑play opening sequence that set the tone. Jackson Dart wasn’t perfect, but posted 12-of-19 for 154 yards and a touchdown, showing poise behind a line that didn’t permit a sack and surrendered just 10 QB pressures across all units. The O-line’s first-team to third-team continuity helped the quarterback clean up, and the squad scored on opening drives and five of its first six possessions, a rare summer spark for a team chasing offensive rhythm. penalties totaled 10, with four pre-snap miscues that must be cleaned, including one by Fidoni and another by a tackle, underscoring a need for discipline as roster battles heat up.

Defensively, the Bills limited big scoring plays but the Giants’ run defense still showed rough edges with 14 missed tackles, eight in run defense, a clear area to shore up. Abdul Carter stood out with 3 QB pressures and an elite 81.9 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus, while Dexter Lawrence II anchored the interior. Deontay Banks drew scrutiny after a few coverage misreads, and Deontay Banks’ competitive fire was noted as he wrestled with consistency. The absence of Hyatt and Neighbors (and Sllayton) limited ceiling, but the path forward still looked positive as new Giants foundations were laid.

Tactically, Giants coach adjustments—Mike Kafka on the sideline for play-calling—suggest a more direct line of communication for the rookie’s development, a small but meaningful shift as the staff leans into in-game teaching. No major injuries surfaced, and with Jets joint practices upcoming, the Giants can push this momentum forward. In fantasy terms, the day reinforced the potential for development across a handful of pass-catchers and the QB to grow, while the run defense and pre-snap penalties emerge as the two biggest tickets to fix for sustained success.

As training camp for the New York Giants approaches, there is a palpable sense of anticipation surrounding the team's quarterback situation. Despite speculation regarding competition for the starting role, Russell Wilson is expected to retain his position as long as he remains healthy. Discussions about Jackson Dart's potential to push for the backup role are ongoing, but the coaching staff is likely to prioritize Wilson's experience in a bid to secure wins this season.

On the defensive front, the Giants are making considerable efforts to enhance their defensive line, aiming to address last season's struggles against the run. Dexter Lawrence remains pivotal, but the introduction of new talent seeks to alleviate the pressure on him and improve overall performance. The Giants need their defensive line to not only contain runs but also generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks to maximize their chances of success this season.