You'd be forgiven if you confused New York's first training camp practice session for a pep rally for Malik Nabers rather than the unofficial beginning of the Giants' 2026 season, but that's what happens when your star wide receiver -- coming back from an ACL tear -- unexpectedly lights up the practice field.
It's safe to say that almost nobody thought the 23-year-old would be going full speed during drills on Wednesday. Yes, he dodged the PUP list, but to think he'd be making cuts and participating in full was borderline unfathomable -- especially since there hasn't been much of an update on him since his second cleanup surgery earlier in the offseason.
However, I can confirm that an actual practice did take place. You heard it here first. Alright, maybe not first, but possibly a close second. Anyway, while Leek singlehandedly stole the spotlight, there were a couple of other storylines hiding in the shadows that deserve your attention.
1. Ben Sauls is not going down without a fight
To say Ben "Better Call Sauls" Sauls needed to come out of the gates strong at training camp would be the understatement of the century. After his brutal showing at OTAs -- making only seven of his 14 kicks -- there was reason to believe the "kicking competition" wasn't much of a competition... until it was.
Giants undrafted rookie Dominic Zvada had been on fire entering camp. While Sauls missed half of his attempts, the 22-year-old drilled all 13 of his. Zvada-matic seemed to be in the driver's seat.
Well, that might've changed on Wednesday, when both kickers took five tries. Sauls made four of his five while Zvada made three of his. They both missed from 43 yards out, with Zvada also missing a 34-yarder. With no other veteran to push them, it's the battle of the undrafteds (Sauls also went undrafted in 2025). It's about to get interesting. May the best leg win.
2. Malachi Fields won't stop making plays
Big Blue traded into the third round to select Notre Dame receiver Malachi Fields, and although it's just the offseason, the 6-foot-4, 218-pound weapon has looked like everything they could’ve hoped for and more.
He's been making plays everywhere. Minicamp? Check. OTAs? Check. Training camp? Do I even have to ask...
It was reported that the soon-to-be 23-year-old made one of, if not the most impressive, catches of the day, leaping over defenders to haul in a pass from Jameis Winston. He has picked up right where he left off, showcasing his ability to make highlight-reel plays.
3. Braxton Berrios is making the most of the Gunner Olszewski opening
Move over, other 500 receivers on the roster, because Braxton Berrios is a man playing with nothing to lose and everything to gain, and that makes him dangerous.
The Giants brought Berrios in shortly after WR/KR Gunner Olszewski was lost for the season with an Achilles injury. Berrios is about as close to an Olszewski clone as you're going to find. Both are better served in the return game, but carry enough skill-position talent to make them interesting on offense.
Just look at what Berrios did on Day 1 of training camp. The 30-year-old journeyman caught five passes on the day, but none was greater than his 50-yard reception from Winston that went for six. It's been a strong start to the summer for the on-the-bubble wideout, but enough performances like this will make it awfully difficult to leave him off the 53-man roster.
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