Football is officially so back. What a preseason that was. Three games, three wins, and about a million narratives flipped on their heads. The New York Giants might not have won a single game that technically counts yet, but if you’ve been watching closely, this doesn’t feel like the same old Big Blue.
It’s not just the scoreboard that’s looked different. The energy, the explosiveness, the actual signs of offensive competency — it’s all added up to something fans haven’t felt in a long time: cautious optimism. And the biggest reason for that shift is a bunch of rookies who were never supposed to matter this much, this early.
Related: 5 biggest winners (and 3 losers) from Giants' unprecedented preseason
This is a draft class looking to build on the 2024 class, which feels like the true beginning of the Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll era. Dart was a developmental flier. Mbow was a Day 3 swing. Fidone was a shot in the dark. But as we head into the regular season, those three might be holding the keys to how this thing goes. Let’s take a look at how they’ve already changed the math in East Rutherford.
3 Giants rookies who refuse to go away quietly
Jaxson Dart (QB)
There was no bigger preseason winner than Jaxson Dart, the 22-year-old signal-caller out of Ole Miss. Coming out of college, he was tabbed as a project, but the former Rebel has looked anything but. He appeared poised and confident, but it was really his pocket demeanor and arm talent that suggested he's much further ahead in his development than anyone expected at this stage.
On several occasions, with the pocket collapsing around him, the rookie stayed tall and stepped up into the pocket to finish the throw. Unlike many young quarterbacks, he kept his eyes downfield, always staying ready to make the right throw. And speaking of making the right throw, he was seemingly able to make every throw — on one foot, on the run, and even sidearmed.
Russell Wilson will start at quarterback, but don't be surprised if Dart's name is called earlier than expected.
Marcus Mbow (OL)
One unit that has consistently plagued this team over the years has been the offensive line. A healthy Andrew Thomas will help, and so will the rapid ascension of the 22-year-old Purdue product.
Mbow was touted for his versatility coming out of college, and his ability to morph into whatever the offensive line needs has put him as the backup tackle behind Thomas. He was widely considered a guard entering the NFL, largely due to his lack of size (6-foot-4, 304 pounds), but don't tell CBS Sports' Emory Hunt that.
The analyst had Mbow featured on his All-Preseason Team, acknowledging just how great a first summer it's been for the lineman. The team will need him to keep putting pressure on the starters. There's always room for instant-impact-level players.
Thomas Fidone II (TE)
In a surprising twist, seventh-round tight end Thomas Fidone II made the 53-man roster over players like Dante "Turbo" Miller, Montrell Washington, and Elijah Chatman. His arrival as a mainstay makes him the fourth TE rostered, but it's what he's flashed all offseason that could lead to an early climb ahead of guys like Daniel Bellinger and Chris Manhertz.
The 22-year-old out of Nebraska was a highly-touted prospect coming out of high school, but two ACL injuries in college derailed his development and tanked his draft stock. Fortunately, Schoen didn't overthink it and bet on upside, because the former Cornhusker looks every bit like a potential game-changing tight end.
Fidone finished catching eight of nine targets for 64 yards and a touchdown. Although he'll need to become a better blocker, he never looked too in over his head while on the field.
Honorary mention: Abdul Carter (LB)
It should be noted that Carter’s been lights out all summer. But for a guy once called the best defensive player in the draft and taken third overall, anything less would’ve been a problem.