Players to watch in Giants' second preseason game

After the Lions game, Jerome Henderson, the team’s defensive backs coach, spoke about Nubin’s passion for the game. 

“His intensity, energy and his focus just jump off the tape at you.” Henderson said. “ When you get him here live, you see how important football is to him and how much he cares. That’s something we were absolutely intrigued by, and that’s why he is here.”

Nubin should see plenty of reps on Saturday night.

Defensive tackle Elijah Chatman

Chatman had three tackles and a sack against the Lions last Thursday. That's not bad for an undrafted free agent, who many believed was too small to play the position. Generously listed at 6-foot and 278 pounds, Chatman looks nothing like teammate Dexter Lawrence (6-foot-4, 340 pounds), but so far, the team likes what they’ve seen.

“He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do,” head coach Brian Daboll told reporters on Monday. “Again, he’s a smaller guy, but he’s got some length in his arms. He’s got some explosiveness and quick twitch, maybe a little bit different than some of the bigger guys. I think he’s developed since he’s been here. He had that tryout. I wouldn’t say it’s unusual, but it’s hard to do. So, he’s earned some more playing time."

The former Mustang had 141 tackles, 13.5 sacks and a forced fumble in five years with SMU, earning first-team all-conference honors in 2023. The Athletic's Bruce Feldman also put him on his College Football Freaks List with a bench press of 505 pounds, 42 reps at 225 pounds and a 32-inch vertical jump.

Giants defensive line coach Andre Patterson thinks Chatman could be the strongest player on the team, and with the team’s recent trade of Jordan Phillips to the Cowboys, the rookie tackle has an even stronger chance of making the 53-man roster.