Three things to watch for in the Giants’ preseason opener against the Vikings on Saturday afternoon at MetLife Stadium:
1. Odell Beckham Jr. will play in a Giants uniform for the first time since Dec. 2, 2018. He somehow never played at MetLife Stadium as a visitor.
The cheers he receives during introductions, and any time that he touches the ball, should be regular-season-esque.
But he also is fighting to make the team and show, along with fellow veteran wideouts JuJu Smith-Schuster and Braxton Berrios, that he has something left in the tank.
2. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson won’t tip too many secrets, but how is versatile rookie LB Arvell Reese deployed?
In coverage? Rushing the quarterback on blitzes or off the edge? Filling run lanes? All three?
Three other top 75 picks — RG Francis Mauignoa, CB Colton Hood and WR Malachi Fields — are expected to make their NFL debuts and have a chance to fill significant roles on this team.
3. Not that the offense wants to stall out in field goal territory but it could help settle the kicker battle between second-year pro Ben Sauls and undrafted rookie Dominic Zvada.
Kicking has been a sore spot for the Giants for three straight seasons.
Zvada reportedly is 54-for-58 in training camp, including a walk-off 62-yard field goal this week.
The Giants haven’t felt a need to add a veteran this summer.
