The Giants’ 26-3 preseason win over the Dolphins came with the usual asterisk: this wasn’t a full-strength Miami team, and it wasn’t really meant to be a clean measuring stick. Still, New York handled business the way a team is supposed to when the matchup tilts this hard. The defense swarmed, the offense flashed enough pop to keep things moving, and a few roster battles got a little clearer.
One of the clearest developments came in the backfield. Tyrone Tracy Jr. appears to be sliding behind Devin Singletary, who got the first offensive series of the game.
Tracy was involved while he was out there, but the fumble won’t do him any favors with the coaching staff. With Najee Harris now added, Tracy Jr. could keep losing ground on the depth chart.
Jameis Winston also gave the Giants something to think about in a good way. The veteran quarterback looked like he had some gas left in the tank, especially on the scramble that produced the game’s first touchdown. He did miss a few throws, but there’s still enough there for New York to feel solid about its backup quarterback situation.
Calvin Austin III is carving out a real gadget role, and he made that role look useful. The Giants used him on jet sweeps, screens, and in the return game, and he brought a burst that stands out in a crowded receiver room. Braxton Berrios is the main competition there, but Austin’s work as a punt returner could be enough to push Berrios off the roster.
Odell Beckham Jr. also had one of those moments that remind you how much attention he still draws. He grabbed a second-quarter catch for a first down, and the Miami crowd reacted like it knew exactly who was on the field. Beckham spent only one season with the Dolphins and barely played, but he remains a clear fan favorite in New York as he battles to make the final roster.
On defense, Deonte Banks kept making his presence felt. He broke up multiple passes and chased down ball carriers for clean tackles. Greg Newsome II is still hanging onto a starting cornerback spot, but Banks looked like a player ready to factor into the rotation.
The kicking competition stayed tight, too. Dominic Zvada handled the first-half work, while Ben Sauls took over in the second half, and both were perfect on their field goal tries.
And through it all, the Giants’ defense looked relentless. Yes, the opponent was Miami’s backups, but New York was flying to the ball, hitting at the catch point, and finishing plays in space. For a unit that struggled in 2025, that was the kind of showing that at least gives the staff something to build on.
In Other News...
Giants Suddenly Have A Darnell Mooney Problem They Can't Ignore
Darnell Mooneys absence for a recent game had a simple explanation, since he was on approved leave to serve as best man at his brothers wedding. Even so, the timing has only added to the uncertainty around a receiver who arrived with some optimism about his role but has not exactly forced the issue during a quiet training camp.
Around the Giants, every roster move now seems to carry a little extra weight because of what Mooneys situation might mean for the receiving corps heading into Week 1. If the team decides his future lies elsewhere, it would not just be a personnel change, but another shift in a room that still feels like it is sorting itself out. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Face Tough Final Roster Calls After Crowded Preseason Battles
Following the Giants preseason win over the Dolphins, the attention shifts from the final snap to the harder part of the job: trimming the roster to 53. There are still battles playing out across the depth chart, with questions at running back, wide receiver, offensive line and cornerback as the coaching staff and front office sort through a crowded group of players who have all flashed enough to make the conversation difficult.
John Harbaugh has already pointed to the way several players have performed, but the next step is where the real tension lies, because not every strong preseason showing can survive the numbers game. Joe Schoen now has to weigh upside, versatility and roster balance against limited spots, and with decisions still pending, a few players who looked safe only a week ago are suddenly waiting to see whether they are part of the opening-day plan. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Final Cut Battle Just Got Tougher After One Preseason Standout
The Giants final roster decisions are getting a little more complicated after their preseason showing against the Dolphins, because a few of the names fighting for fringe spots made a real case to stick around. The game film and Pro Football Focus grades pointed to one particularly encouraging offensive line performance from J.C. Davis, while wide receiver Dalen Cambre also turned in a strong outing that should have the staff paying closer attention as cutdown day approaches.
Elsewhere, the picture was less tidy, with some veterans and younger players not helping their chances as much as they needed to. Odell Beckham Jr. and Tyrone Tracy were among the players whose work in the game raised questions, and with final cuts looming, those uneven performances only sharpen the competition for the last available jobs. [Read more 🡒]