The New York Giants know this better than anyone, but the preseason doesn’t mean much. Just last year, the G-Men went 3-0, averaging over 35 points per game, and look where it got them: 4-13 and a third straight year with a top-six draft pick.
Even taking that into account, it’s still almost impossible not to feel encouraged by Big Blue’s 26-3 preseason clobbering of the Miami Dolphins. Talk about a turnaround. It was just last week that the Giants put up an absolute stinkfest against the Minnesota Vikings in the first live-action look at their rookie class.
They fared well then, and with the regular season drawing closer, some of the roster locks from the group are seeing less playing time, giving the long shots more opportunities to prove themselves and maybe uncover a diamond in the rough. Francis Mauigoa and Colton Hood didn’t even see a rep, while Arvell Reese and Malachi Fields only saw 10 and eight snaps, respectively.
Still, it was another decent showing from a rookie class that could have a profound impact on the 2026 season.
Let's talk rooks.
Giants rookie updates following preseason win over the Dolphins
Arvell Reese, LB
The box score suggests that Arvell Reese didn’t make much of an impact. The 6-foot-4, 243-pound linebacker played only 10 snaps and made one tackle. Still, he’s impressed all offseason and looks tailor-made for a Defensive Rookie of the Year campaign.
He didn’t raise or lower his stock, and I’d be surprised if they had him play in Friday’s final preseason game against the Jets, given that his starting role isn’t going anywhere.
Verdict: Stock neutral
Francis "Sisi" Mauigoa, OL
Francis Mauigoa gave us all a scare when he left Big Blue’s joint practice on Thursday. It turned out to be a stinger, and it won’t affect his status as the starting right guard. The 21-year-old didn’t suit up on Saturday, so he’s chilling hard at a neutral status.
Verdict: Stock neutral
Colton Hood, CB
Colton Hood didn’t play in Saturday’s shellacking of the Dolphins, so by default, he’ll get a neutral analysis. The 6-foot, 195-pound corner is still in a heated battle with Paulson Adebo, Deonte Banks, and Greg Newsome II for a starting corner spot.
Verdict: Stock neutral
Malachi Fields, WR
Malachi Fields very well could enter 2026 as New York’s WR2, but he did next to nothing to help or hurt his case in South Beach. He suited up for only five snaps, receiving zero targets.
Like the three rookies ahead of him, Fields remains in neutral.
Verdict: Stock neutral
Bobby Jamison-Travis, DL
Finally, we have some movement. After posting a dismal 47.5 Pro Football Focus grade against Minnesota, the 6-foot-3, 328-pound space-eater bounced back in a big way, earning a 75.6 overall grade.
He held up better against the run and even recorded his first live-action sack. BJT is firmly on the bubble, and another strong performance on Friday could get him into the conversation for a 53-man roster spot. Stock going up.
Verdict: Stock up
J.C. Davis, OL
Holy moly, J.C. Davis. Talk about a coming-out party.
The Giants threw him out there for every rep at left tackle, and he met the challenge head-on. After a rough-ish preseason opener, Davis made a strong case for being the team’s backup tackle. He posted a 78.3 overall grade, including a team-leading 89.7 pass-blocking grade.
The 6-foot-4, 322-pounder could be the real deal.
Verdict: Stock way up
Jack "Cannonball" Kelly, LB
Jack Kelly played 20 snaps and failed to make much of a difference when he was on the field. That’s not necessarily the worst thing for the former BYU stud, but it doesn’t help him either.
His all-around game makes him the perfect off-ball depth piece in the linebacker room. He’s all but guaranteed to man the second team with Micah McFadden. The 23-year-old joins Reese, Mauigoa, Hood, and Fields in neutral status. What a club.
Verdict: Stock neutral
Dominic Zvada, K
Dominic Zvada didn’t get a chance to show off his leg in the preseason opener. That changed on Saturday.
The undrafted rookie out of Michigan made both of his field goals (43 and 32 yards) and both of his extra-point attempts. The 22-year-old has been lighting it up all summer long and clearly has no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
I’m not one to give financial advice, but if I were you, I’d buy all the stock in Zvada-matic you could, because this kid’s the real deal.
Verdict: Stock up
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