NY Giants grades for 2023 rookies during the preseason

NY Giants RB Eric Gray: C+

The Giants had a loaded running back room entering training camp. Gray, a 2023 fifth-round pick, was a roster lock, but it was uncertain what role he’d play on the Giants offense.

Gary Brightwell, the Giants third-string running back and lead kick returner, suffered an injury early in camp, and we have yet to see him back on the field. This created a massive opportunity for Gray to seize Brightwell’s job, but he failed to do so.

Gray rushed for just 36 yards on 17 attempts in the preseason, and struggled mightily in pass blocking. In just 11 pass-blocking snaps, Gray allowed one hit, six hurries, and seven pressures. PFF gave Gray a brutal 12.4 pass-blocking grade for his efforts, indicating Gray is unplayable. Sterling Shepard was curiously returning punts in the Giants preseason finale. It's a bad sign for Gray that Shepard, still recovering from last season's torn ACL, is returning punts ahead of him.

Gray has plenty of intriguing traits and had a chance to push Brightwell to the wrong side of the roster bubble, but failed to capitalize.

NY Giants CB Tre Hawkins III: A+

No Giants player has improved their standing within the Giants organization more than Hawkins this summer. The historically athletic sixth-round corner entered camp fighting for a roster spot and special teams job, and ended camp as a starting outside cornerback.

Hawkins's highlight reel this summer has included making uber-athletic plays, coming downfield to make tackles, making pass breakups against both Giants veterans and the opposing team's starters in preseason games.

Hawkins's athletic traits allow him to blitz, come up and play the run, and cover ground quickly, three essential characteristics of Wink's defense. Oh yeah, and he’s nasty. Just watch this sequence from Hawkins during and Old Dominion game last fall.

We haven’t seen that side much yet, but I’m sure we will this fall. Hawkins is the complete package and looks like a sixth-round heist.