Five New York Giants players who must play well in their final preseason game against the Patriots to before it's too late

As of right now, Neal will start the season as a backup offensive lineman, which is troubling for a former top-ten pick. However, a fantastic performance against the Patriots could improve his chances of taking over later in the regular season if Van Roten struggles at any point.

CB Deonte Banks

Banks is another former first-rounder who hasn't lived up to expectations. He's battling for the second starting outside cornerback spot with Cor'Dale Flott.

The competition has been close with no decided winner, but it appears that Flott has a slight lead. Both players have missed time during the preseason, but Flott took the most advantage of his game reps.

A flashy pass breakup against New York Jets star receiver Garrett Wilson has Giants fans buzzing.

Banks still certainly has an opportunity to contribute on defense this year, but he'll need a locked-in day on Thursday to help his case.

OL Joshua Ezeudu

Circumstantially, this is a brutal spot to be in for Ezeudu. The Giants needed more depth on their offensive line to be better prepared for injuries. They signed James Hudson III and drafted Marcus Mbow out of Purdue.

Mbow has been a fast riser this preseason with steady performances in both games. His quality of play has raised questions about whether he could beat out Hudson III for the swing tackle position.

Even if Mbow doesn't win the job, he's proven more ready to contribute than initially expected. With a young, promising prospect garnering attention, i t's looking like Ezeudu's spot on the roster is in jeopardy.

Last year, the Giants kept ten offensive linemen on their final 53-man roster. Considering Ezeudu has no experience at center, keeping him could be a difficult sell. He'll need a solid game to affirm he's still as good as the Giants thought he was when he was drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

WR Beaux Collins & Montrell Washington

Both Collins and Washington have been fantastic this preseason. With a difficult WR room to crack, they've taken advantage of the opportunities afforded to them. Collins and Washington aren't directly competing for the same role, but they do need a final strong game to prove they deserve to stick.

During training camp, Collins generated buzz as a UDFA out of Notre Dame. He's since capitalized with a massive 80-yard reception from Russell Wilson against the Jets. Collins has shown flashes as a young player that the Giants could want to develop. Additionally, he could be quickly claimed if they attempt to move him to the practice squad.

Also, Washington is vying for the backup slot receiver role and contributing as a kick returner. Through two games, Washington has four receptions for 79 yards. One more productive outing could make the Giants consider keeping him.

It's uncertain how much the starters will play on Thursday, but once the backups enter the game, keep a close eye on how these guys perform.