The New York Giants rookies will play a pivotal role in determining who will win Sunday’s showdown against the Dallas Cowboys.
The New York Giants’ rookies have been impressive throughout training camp and the preseason. So, it came as no surprise when eight made the final roster.
General Manager Jerry Reese said shortly after the draft that he believes he may have found two or three starters from this draft class.
By all accounts he was right, as three rookies will help determine Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Eli Apple
Cornerback Eli Apple who the Giants took in round one will be matched up against Dez Bryant and Terrance Williams often.
Since the Giants will bring Apple into the game as their third cornerback, he’s not “technically” a starter. But expect the Giants to have three cornerbacks in the game most of the time on Sunday.
How Apple fares covering Bryant and Williams on the outside will be a big factor in determining who will win.
If Apple can win his one-on-one matchup, without being called for pass interference penalties, it will bode well for Big Blue.
Sterling Shepard
The Giants second-round Sterling Shepard will give them something that has been missing from their offense for years, and that’s a second reliable receiving option.
With the Cowboys focusing on containing Odell Beckham Jr., Shepard will see a lot man-to-man coverage which will allow him to make plays against the Cowboys vulnerable secondary.
Darian Thompson
Safety Darian Thompson, the Giants rookie third-round pick, will play a huge role on Sunday, as he’ll try and cover tight end Jason Witten.
Witten has torched the Giants throughout his 14-year career, and caught the game winning touchdown in last year’s season opener.
Thompson was known as a ball hawk in college and is great in coverage. However, he faces a tough task in his first NFL game being matched up against a future Hall of Famer in Witten.
The Cowboys will look to Witten to convert on third downs. So, it’s pivotal that Thompson gets the better of this matchup in order for the Giants to win.
New York squares off against Dallas and rookie quarterback Dak Prescott later today in Arlington, Texas.
