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Giants’ injury update all but guarantees roster spot for surprise camp standout

Beaux Collins’ time to shine is here.
Jason Kandel
Jason Kandel

GMEN HQ

New York Giants - wide receiver Beaux Collins / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Giants fans got to see their first glimpse of how the 2025 squad could look in the team’s preseason opener in Buffalo. And first-round rookies Abdul Carter and Jaxson Dart shined as New York downed the Bills on Saturday afternoon. There’s no surprise there. This is exactly what fans have been expecting from the pair all offseason.

Related: 3 winners (and 2 losers) from Giants' eye-opening preseason win vs Bills

Even fifth-round tackle Marcus Mbow seized his moment as Big Blue looks poised for another rookie class stacked with contributors. The art of sticking around in the NFL means you have what it takes to make the most of an opportunity when it presents itself, and undrafted wide receiver Beaux Collins is doing just that.

With Malik Nabers sidelined during Tuesday’s joint practice with the Jets, it’s Collins who has stood the most to gain. The Notre Dame product has been taking snaps with the first-team offense, signaling that he’s firmly in the mix for a 53-man roster spot, that is if he hasn’t already earned his Week 1 roster spot.

Beaux Collins is pushing Montrell Washington for a roster spot

Collins has been a steady presence all camp, showing reliable hands, crisp route-running, and a knack for finding space against NFL-caliber corners. And for a guy who amassed nearly 1,800 receiving yards during his four years at Clemson and Notre Dame, this production shouldn’t surprise anyone.

Against the Jets, the 22-year-old has been displaying a strong rapport with Russell Wilson. 

The 10-time Pro Bowler hit the 6-foot-3 wideout twice early Tuesday morning — an impressive showing for Collins’ first day back after missing a week of camp and Saturday’s preseason opener due to injury.

With Bryce-Ford Wheaton out for the season due to a torn Achilles, the door is open for Collins to continue to see an expanded role for the G-Men. But the biggest roadblock standing in his way has been the breakout summer of Montrell Washington. 

Washington caught three passes for 60 yards in Buffalo and has been building a strong connection with Dart all summer. 

Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, and Darius Slayton are roster guarantees. But outside of them, the picture gets muddier. Gunner Olszewski, Dalen Cambre, Washington, and Collins are vying for two roster spots, and Olszewski’s special teams experience gives him a leg up. So the final roster spot in the receiver room could come down to those two.

That competition could push both receivers and make the Giants’ looming WR decision one of their more intriguing storylines heading into September.

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Jason Kandel

Jason Kandel

Jason Kandel is a sports junkie with a lifelong passion for storytelling, stats, and strong opinions. He’s been writing for FanSided since early 2025, contributing to Blogging Dirty, GMenHQ, and The Jet Press. Jason graduated from Michigan State University (Go Green!) in May 2025 with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Sports Journalism. He has worked across nearly every form of media, writing for Spartan Sports Report and Impact 89FM, hosting podcasts, and even stepping in front of the camera for Big Ten Student U. Born and raised on Long Island and proud to be a triplet, he brings energy, passion and insight to everything he covers. Ask him about movies, fantasy football, or where to find the best pizza in New York.