Let’s do a quick “stock up, stock down” assessment of the New York Giants as we roll toward the third game of the preseason.
Stock up
T.J. Jones — The more you watch Jones, a slippery receiver who knows how to get open, the more you think he could be a key receiver for the Giants while Golden Tate serves his four-game suspension.
Chad Slade and Nick Gates — Coach Pat Shurmur singled them both out as offensive linemen who have gotten his attention. That’s good enough for me.
Jon Hilliman — Could the former Boston College and Rutgers back have put himself into real contention for a roster spot with his 16-carry, 56-yard effort last week vs. the Chiago Bears?
Brittan Golden — Veteran wide receiver/kick returner probably can’t make the 53-man roster, but catching a 27-yard pass and averaging 17.5 yards on a pair of punt returns vs. Chicago probably justifies him a longer look.
Daniel Jones — The more he plays, the more others take shots at him and the Giants’ decision to draft him, and the more Jones refuses to be baited by any of that nonsense the more you have to like the kid. Oh, and think maybe, just maybe, the Giants will end up being right.
Stock down
B.J,. Goodson — As I watch the former starting inside linebacker muddle along playing with the third-stringers I can’t help but think all he is doing right now is biding time and putting together film for the NFL’s other 31 teams to look at.
Chad Wheeler — Ditto for Wheeler. He’s gone from starting right tackle before Mike Remmers was signed to a guy who has spent his time lately working with the threes. Guys like Slade and Gates are getting more snaps. Even undrafted free agent Paul Adams, a collegiate right tackle, is getting left tackle reps while Wheeler works with the third team.
Riley Dixon — The arrival of Johnny Townsend means Dixon has real competition for his job. So, he’s no longer a roster lock.
Sam Beal — With each practice that he misses you wonder more and more if this will be a second consecutive season during which the Giants get little to nothing from the 2018 Suppplemental Draft selection.
Darius Slayton — The rookie wide receiver still hasn’t made his preseason debut. He’s practicing, but he’s running out of time to be considered an impact player on offense when the season begins.