Three takeaways from the Giants' preseason win over the Panthers

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux responded well to recent criticism

After being called out in front of the team by DC Wink Martindale and admitting that he must improve or he'll soon find himself out of the league, Thibodeaux put on a dominant performance. 

The former fifth overall pick was simply too much for LT Ikem Ekwonu to handle, notching one sack on Carolina's Bryce Young, along with one QB hit. 

Last season, Thibodeaux showed a lightning-quick first step despite being very productive, recording just four sacks. The natural talent is there, but if he is able to consistently perform as he did Friday, Thibodeaux could be in line for a massive leap in his second season. 

If New York wants to take the next step from a fringe playoff team to a Super Bowl contender, Thibodeaux is on the shortlist of players that needs to be an X-factor. 

GM Joe Schoen might've nailed the 2023 NFL Draft

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. may have given the Giants an "A-" grade in his post-draft report card, but his assessment might be too low based on the group's early results. The seven-man rookie class made an impression during the preseason, and several players are expected to be day-one starters, including first-round cornerback Deonte Banks and second-round center John Michael Schmitz. 

While Banks and Schmitz have been solid in their first two appearances, the rest of the class looks promising as well. Third-round wideout Jalin Hyatt and fifth-round running back Eric Gray both scored their first professional touchdowns on Friday and seemed poised for sizable roles in the regular season. 

Hyatt mixed in with the first-team offense and will continue to see time with the unit as the season progresses, whereas Gray appears to be the team's starting return man.

Though perhaps the greatest accomplishment made by the Giants' scouting department this offseason was the ability to identify talent toward the end of the draft.

Sixth-round cornerback Tre Hawkins III is an early contender for one of the draft's biggest steals, as the Old Dominion product is already starting on the first-team defense. 

Additionally, seventh-round defensive tackle Jordon Riley seems destined for a rotational role behind Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence II after recording three tackles on Friday, one of which was for a loss.