What's next for 10 NY Giants players who impressed in 2nd preseason game vs. Carolina

EAST RUTHERFORD - Shout out to Clifton Village Pizza.

As New York Giants tight end Darren Waller goes about trying to make North Jersey his new home, he's doing what he can to immerse himself not just in the football, but the community.

"When you talk about a new city, I like to do things that locals do," Waller said. "Go get pizza where there’s good pizza at or whatever so like just immerse myself into the city, allow myself to be there and find a home. I talked to my teammates just – somebody told me, 'If you want a friend, be a friend.' So, it’s like, try to just connect with those guys and show them who I really am and let them know that, ‘Hey, I’m in it with you guys.’

"It’s not about me coming here trying to turn my career around or get things for me. It’s about me being a part of what you guys have going and this being an experience for us, so it’s been fun."

Oh, it was fun for Waller and the Giants in Friday night's preseason game against Carolina, a 21-19 victory that highlighted everything the Big Blue offense hopes it can be with its new tight end as a focal point for Daniel Jones.

The Giants are using Waller's presence in so many ways. Jones went to Waller four times on the drive, including three catches, and that threat opened things up for the Daniel Bellinger touchdown catch that capped an impressive opening series.

The underneath routes are going to cook if teams put their eyes on Waller, which they'll have to do. Then there's Saquon Barkley, who did not even play Friday and likely will not suit up entirely until Sept 10 vs. Dallas.

Speaking of cooking, Waller made a point to mention his new favorite pizza spot in Clifton just off Route 3, the place he found while getting acclimated to the area before settling into his residence in Weehawken, joking: "Eating a few more slices a week than I probably should’ve been, but I love pizza."

Here are nine Giants besides Waller who impressed in the second preseason game and what's next for them. Out of all the Giants, Daniel Jones was most impressive (8-of-9, 69 yards, TD), yet for the purposes of this list, he deserves his own category:

Jalin Hyatt, WR

It's hard not to be impressed with how Hyatt responded to his first dropped pass of the preseason. You have to be even more impressed with how much the Giants trusted their third-round rookie, going right back to him on the next play and Hyatt making the most of a second chance with a 33-yard touchdown catch from Tyrod Taylor.

Hyatt said afterward that, as soon as he faked the post and saw the safety freeze, the corner route was wide open. Carolina's Eric Rowe looked like he was sleeping in real time, but in actuality he took somewhat of a false step to the post, and that's all Hyatt needs. One hesitation.

I asked Hyatt about his "Namaste" celebration after the TD, and he said his mind went blank, and that celebration was nothing like the one he had planned. He sat "criss cross, apple sauce" in the back of the end zone, in a moment of zen, and the rest was a blur. Fitting, because Hyatt is a blur on the field.

Jashaun Corbin, RB

The second-year running back who spent most of last season on the practice squad has had a strong summer. He's bided his time and seized the opportunity when Gary Brightwell went out with a leg injury. As far as being a dual threat out of the backfield, the former Florida State star has looked the best of any Giants back in practice not named Saquon Barkley. He's worked with the 1s, 2s and 3s, and the wiggle in his play style was on display Friday. Can he make the Giants keep four backs with Barkley, Matt Breida and rookie Eric Gray?

Bryce Ford-Wheaton, WR

Giants GM Joe Schoen name-dropping Bryce Ford-Wheaton in a television segment with Bob Papa and Carl Banks during Friday night's NBC broadcast very telling. The BFW Army might have been on to something, but it's the value of the undrafted rookie from West Virginia as a gunner on specials that could lead to grabbing a spot on 53.

Ford-Wheaton ended Wednesday's practice with a spectacular touchdown grab in the back corner of the end zone, and while his contributions as a receiver in the preseason games have been minimal, a shout out from the GM resonates. The Giants' two gunners in punt coverage were projected to be Nick McCloud, who has been dealing with an undisclosed injury, and Jason Pinnock, who is slated to start at safety next to Xavier McKinney.

Sterling Shepard, WR

The wily veteran receiver looks to be all the way back from his ACL suffered in Week 3 last season, and the Giants can't stop raving about his resiliency. He's the team's longest-tenured player and Shepard was back on the field inside MetLife where he injured his knee Friday. Shepard ran crisp routes all over the field and finished with one catch, getting open on several others. It's hard to imagine Shepard not getting a roster spot if this continues, and his rapport with Jones has been there since Jones' debut back in Tampa in 2019.

Joshua Ezeudu, LG

Sure seems like the Giants want to eventually go to Ezeudu as their starting left guard, but he has to prove that he is consistent enough to take that job, presumably from Ben Bredeson. This was another good night for Ezeudu in that quest, and the biggest question for the second-year pro is how much improved he is in pass protection. Ezeudu played most of the first half and did well for his case.

John Michael Schmitz, C

The rookie is in control at center, seeking out and delivering blocks in the run game, including on Eric Gray's touchdown run. There have been no apparent communication issues going back and forth between Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor, and Schmitz has won the competition with Bredeson, who should start at one of the guard spots.

Evan Neal, RT

In his first game action of the summer, Neal was everything you'd hoped he be. His feet were quiet and quick, and even though the Panthers' top pass rusher, Brian Burns, did not play, Neal held things down at right tackle. His next assignment: Micah Parsons and the talented Cowboys pass rush on Sept. 10.

Gervarrius Owens, S

Owens is coming on, displaying those athletic traits the Giants loved when they drafted him in the seventh round. He was banged up on the first day of camp in an end zone collision, but has fought his way back to second team snaps. The Giants are looking for players to stand out on special teams, and Owens can claim a role there.

Jordon Riley, DT

The Giants seem to have a heck of a find on their hands in Riley, another seventh round pick who made two impactful run stops against the Panthers and continues to distinguish himself with strong play despite playing alongside stars in Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams with the first team.

It will be interesting to see where Riley fits when A'Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches work their way into the rotation come the regular season.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Giants: What's next for these 10 players who impressed Friday night