By David Rogers. EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — It may have counted toward anything, but the preseason football game hosted by the New York Giants vs. the Carolina Panthers had its instructive moments. New York won, 21-19.
- Carolina’s starting quarterback, rookie and top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Bryce Young flashed abundant potential in the pocket as well as moving around behind the line of scrimmage. He only played two series, completing 3-of-6 passes for 35 yards, but avoiding a NY defense blitz and finding fellow rookie Jonathan Mingo for a 15-yard gain showed poise and showed off his mobility and athleticism.
- New York QB Daniel Jones looks to be making good on the Giants’ $40 million offseason investment to him at the helm of the team’s offense. He only played one series before giving way to backup Tyrod Taylor, but completed 8-of-9 passes for 69 yards, capped off by a short TD aerial to tight end Daniel Bellinger.
- Leading up to the Bellinger TD catch, there was a lot of Jones-to-Darren Waller, the former Raiders star tight end signed in free agency who caught 3-of-4 targets for 30 yards. The Jones-to-Waller combination could prove a good one in the upcoming regular season.
- The Panthers’ Jonathan Mingo was only targeted twice, catching just the one pass for 15 yards, but showed plenty of athleticism.
- Although veteran free agent signee Adam Thielen, D J Chark, Jr., and Mingo are listed as the top three receivers, former South Carolina wide receiver Shi Smith, picked up by the Panthers in Round 6 of the 2021 NFL Draft, got plenty of snaps in this game and responded with four receptions on five targets for 59 yards, a 14.8 yard average.
- New York’s much-heralded rookie Jalin Hyatt, drafted out of Tennessee in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL draft, got his first TD reception as a pro, a 33-yard post pattern bomb from Taylor.
For its third preseason game, the Panthers will face the Detroit Lions at Bank of America Stadium on Aug. 25, with kickoff slated for 8 p.m.
BONUS PHOTOS, COURTESY OF CAROLINA PANTHERS
