Three must-watch players in Giants' first preseason game

After spending a few days together at joint practices, the Giants take on the Lions in their first preseason game on Friday. Here are three must-watch players for New York. 

Deonte Banks, cornerback

During the initial training camp sessions, the Giants' offense constantly targeted their first-round pick, Banks, who struggled mightily to find his footing. However, those practices were more tailored to the offense since pads weren't on, so it's not a surprise the rookie had difficulties in his first few days against NFL wideouts. Since then, Banks has been quick to adjust. 

The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder doesn't necessarily have a nose for the ball -- he had just two interceptions in four seasons at Maryland -- but makes up for it with his physicality, which he displayed in joint practices. 

According to reports out of Allen Park, Banks handled his own against the Lions' explosive wideouts. On Thursday, Giants insider Art Stapleton raved about New York's projected starting cornerback for covering wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown better "than any Giant did" during last season's Week 11 matchup. St. Brown recorded seven receptions for 76 yards in Detroit's 31-18 win. 

Jalin Hyatt, wide receiver 

Hyatt was a popular selection for the Giants at No. 25 overall in many mock drafts leading up to April's event, but they were able to land him in the third round.

Although the 2022 Biletnikoff Award winner has shown flashes of being a solid all-around receiver in camp, his speed has lived up to the pre-draft hype more than anything else. Last week, Hyatt told Stapleton that the team's GPS tracked him going as fast as 24 mph "a few times," which would be an NFL record if he hit that speed in a game. 

In New York's first unofficial depth chart, Hyatt was listed as a second-string receiver, so he could get a considerable amount of playing time during the team's first preseason game. 

Tre Hawkins III, cornerback

While Banks' performance has fluctuated throughout camp, Hawkins, a sixth-rounder out of Old Dominion, has consistently played well, and he has even rotated in with the first-team defense.

Additionally, Hawkins has shown he has the ball-hawking skills Banks is lacking, racking up two interceptions, 14 passes defended and three forced fumbles over the last two seasons. The rookies' diverse skills should complement each other's game, though the Giants need more of what Hawkins' expertise provides. Last season, New York's defense forced 16 turnovers, the second-fewest in the NFL, and the unit must improve on that mark for the team to make a deeper postseason run.

It's unclear how many reps the starting defense gets on Friday, so all eyes will be on Hawkins and his extended opportunity. If the buzz surrounding him is accurate, Hawkins could prove to be a much-needed difference-maker in New York's defense this season.