J.C. Davis turned Saturday’s preseason blowout into a real audition.
The Giants’ rookie sixth-round pick logged every one of his 81 snaps at left tackle in New York’s 26-3 win over the Miami Dolphins, and he made the most of the runway. Davis was the highest-graded offensive player on the Giants, and through 102 offensive snaps - including 46 in pass protection - he still hasn’t allowed a pressure.
On Monday, Davis met with the New York media and started with the weather. He said the last time he had played in heat like that was back at New Mexico, before his two seasons at Illinois.
“I think it was a great opportunity for the coaches to see my ability, what I could do at left tackle, and I think it went pretty good,” Davis said. “Of course, I’ve got things to improve on, but overall, it was a good game.
We got the win. That was the most important thing.”
His rise has come quickly. Davis had been working only with the third team before earning second-team reps, and the instruction from the staff has stayed simple: “just keep working.”
He’s also getting a look at how the job is done from Andrew Thomas, the Giants’ starting left tackle.
“As far as watching them, just seeing how different it is - from being that guy at Illinois almost, but he’s that guy in the NFL,” Davis said. “He does way different stuff than me, but I’m trying to pick up and learn from him and pick off stuff that he does. Some stuff can’t do what he does; that’s him.”
For the Giants, Davis and Marcus Mbow now give them two swing-tackle options, with both also potentially in the mix at guard. In Davis’ case, that would be a first. After two preseason games, he’s looked like more than a body for camp - he’s starting to look like a depth piece with a path.
In Other News...
Cam Skattebo's Practice Fire Just Put Giants On Notice
Cam Skattebo keeps showing up as the kind of running back who plays with an edge, and the Giants got another reminder of that during practice. On a non-contact period, Skattebo slid after a catch and came close to the legs of defensive backs Jevon Holland and Greg Newsome, a sequence that quickly turned chippy and brought the defense into the moment. For a team trying to set a tone around its new lead back, the incident fit the profile of a player who brings force and urgency every snap.
Head coach John Harbaugh pointed to Skattebos energy later in the workout, even after the rookie was assessed a 15-yard penalty at the end of practice, and said the challenge is keeping that intensity pointed in the right direction. That balance matters for a Giants offense planning to lean on Skattebo after he rushed for 410 yards and five touchdowns in eight games as a rookie before a broken ankle ended his season. If the physical style is part of what makes him special, the Giants will still have to live with the fine line that comes with it. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Receiver Room Just Sent Another Clear Message
The Giants kept churning through the back end of their receiver group this week, with Ryan Miller moving on after being waived and then claimed by the Dolphins the following day. It was a quick turn for a player who had joined New York last December, stuck around by re-signing this offseason, and still found himself squeezed out by a wideout room that has become crowded enough to make even a retained player vulnerable.
Miami had to clear a spot for Miller by waiving Tahj Washington, a reminder that roster movement at the bottom of the depth chart is often a one-for-one game. For the Giants, the episode adds another small piece to the larger picture at receiver, where the numbers game has already made the competition tight and the margin for keeping depth is getting thinner. [Read more 🡒]
Giants May Have Their Dexter Lawrence Replacement In Sight
Dexter Lawrences departure to Cincinnati leaves a glaring hole in the middle of the Giants defense, and it is the kind of vacancy that usually sends a front office searching for a long-term fix rather than a quick patch. One early idea has already surfaced: an ESPN mock draft from Jordan Reid projects New York to use the No. 9 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft on Ole Miss defensive tackle Will Echoles, a player whose college production has made him stand out as a name to watch.
It is only a projection at this point, of course, and a lot can change between now and draft season. Still, the fit is easy to understand for a Giants team suddenly needing size, disruption and stability inside after moving on from one of the leagues most imposing tackles, and Echoles strong play gives at least a plausible starting point for that conversation. [Read more 🡒]