After a busy offseason with several new additions and changes on offense and defense, NY Giants fans will get their first look at the team in game action when Big Blue hosts the Detroit Lions on Thursday night. The Giants and Lions had joint practices, which featured several breakout stars making show-stopping plays and even some tension on both sides of the ball as several scrums broke out between both sides.
Now, the players will put on the pads for a game that matters, well kind of. The preseason is a great chance for people to turn heads ahead of Week 1. While it's a bit unknown which starters will see game time vs. Detroit, everyone will be getting a shot to impress over the next three games. With that said, here are four players with the most to prove throughout the preseason:
4. OL Jon Runyan Jr.
Former Green Bay Packers guard Jon Runyan Jr. was the Giants' most prized offseason OL signing. The Giants signed the veteran to a three-year, $30 million contract. The Giants' main priority in free agency was bolstering the offensive line after allowing a franchise-record 85 sacks last season. Runyan was one of the best guards on the market and was attractive to multiple teams, including the Jets.
Many believed Runyan would be in green in 2024 because of his previous experience with Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who were together in Green Bay. The Giants matched the Jets’ $17 million guaranteed money to secure Runyan and help rebuild this offensive line from an awful 2023 campaign. This is of course huge for Daniel Jones.
Runyan will mainly play left guard this season, with Greg Van Roten expected to take over at right guard. Despite playing 17 games at RG in 2023 with the Packers, Runyan Jr. has primarily played left guard, starting all 17 games at LG in 2021, so this transition should be smooth for him. He'll hope to have a strong preseason ahead of Week 1 getting here. People want to make sure he can live up to the hype.