New York Giants cap space is tighter than it appears. After trimming to 53, they sit around $4.143 million, the second-worst figure in the league, just ahead of the Bills, with the Top 51 rule still in play. The objective? reach roughly $8-$10 million to absorb practice-squad elevations and roster upgrades for injuries during the year.

A massive chunk of cap is tied to dead money (Daniel Jones, Darren Waller, and others), totaling $28.981 million, about 12.4% of the year’s cap. The Giants could create space by converting base salaries (Thomas, Lawrence II, Runyan Jr.) into signing bonuses that prorate over the contract lifetimes.

IR and inactive/PUP players chew into cap space ($4.267M and $3.318M respectively), underscoring how Week 1 availability intersects with payroll. The outcome hinges on maneuvering contracts and timing, leaving plenty to watch as cap-conversion moves unfold.

The Jets’ preseason stumble against the Giants spotlight fantasy angles to monitor. Justin Fields showed rust in a noisy second week, while the Jets leaned into a heavy rushing plan—Breece Hall grinding for 26 yards on seven carries and Braelon Allen chipping in respectably as a split backfield threat. Arian Smith, a fourth‑round rookie, wasn’t dominant but flashed flashes on six targets for 39 yards, suggesting a potential complementary role down the line. Without Sauce Gardner, the Jets’ secondary faced a rough day, and Aaron Glenn’s halftime “sloppy” critique underscored a need for more discipline. Russell Wilson and the Giants exploited the Jets near the goal line, amplifying concerns about situational defense but also highlighting opportunities for opportunistic fantasy add‑ins as the preseason unfolds.

From a fantasy lens, the Jets’ emphasis on the ground game matters. Hall and Allen’s efficiency bodes well for a committee approach that could keep Hall’s ceiling intact even if Fields hits a rough patch in the early going. Smith’s night adds a dart‑throw dynamic to watch if he lands a meaningful role, while the absence of Gardner makes the secondary more vulnerable in August but also paints a clearer target for waiver ads if Gardner returns soon. The Giants’ quarterback shuffle and Wilson’s late drive offer a cautionary reminder: evaluate weekly game scripts and opponent matchups as the Jets’ offensive identity continues to evolve through the preseason.

Geno Smith, James Conner, Ladd McConkey, Tucker Kraft, Sam Cosmi, YaYa Diaby, Jack Campbell and Christian Benford anchor a list of underrated NFL talents for 2025. The piece highlights how Smith’s clean-pocket efficiency could translate into late-round fantasy upside with the Raiders, Conner’s all-around production and efficiency metrics, and McConkey’s route-running and production as a rookie in a run-heavy Charger attack. Kraft’s yardage and targets project him as a potential top-5 TE with room to grow, while Cosmi, despite missing time, has elite run- and pass-blocking marks. Diaby’s leap as an edge, Campbell’s tackling and coverage strides, and Benford’s defensive efficiency round out the cohort, underscoring which players could outpace public perception under a favorable roster context.

For fantasy managers, the piece argues these players offer solid floor and meaningful upside: Smith in a pro-grade system with protection, Conner in a 0-1 punch with high yards after contact, McConkey as a high-volume yak creator, Kraft as a heater for Jordan Love’s target tree, Cosmi as a blocker with pass-protection upside, Diaby as a breakout edge, Campbell as a versatile LB with coverage gains, and Benford as a shutdown corner in a stout Bills defense. The angle blends efficiency metrics with opportunity and health.

Altogether, the roster context, performance trends and injury notes create a blueprint for identifying value in season-long and DFS formats, offering a fresh slate of players who could overperform relative to their draft cost.

Ihmir Smith-Marsette is making strides with the New York Giants as he prepares for the upcoming 2025 season. He is set to be on the 53-man roster, primarily serving as the return specialist while also contributing to special teams. However, Smith-Marsette is eager to expand his role, expressing confidence in his ability to play as a wide receiver. He has been vocal about his readiness to contribute offensively and is determined to showcase his skills to secure a more significant position within the team.

New York Giants head coach Michael Ghobrial praised Ihmir Smith-Marsette for his impressive decision-making abilities and leadership, highlighting his vital role as a wide receiver and kick returner. The Giants decided to re-sign him due to these qualities, which are essential in the return game. Ghobrial emphasized Smith-Marsette's knack for making sound choices in traffic and maintaining possession of the football, which are crucial skills for any return specialist.

Last season, Smith-Marsette showcased his potential by scoring on a remarkable 100-yard kickoff return against the Indianapolis Colts, reflecting his explosive capabilities. The Giants are clearly optimistic about his impact moving forward.