New York Giants Key Players to Watch | Week 3

The New York Giants are looking to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2017. Here's a look at some of the players they're counting on to make sure they finally get on the board in the win column.

Like it or not, the Giants will have to carry on without running back Saquon Barkley, who this week, along with receiver Sterling Shepard was placed on the injured reserve list.

Barkley, by his lonesome, could easily change the complexion of a game if given proper blocking and the opportunity, but now it will take a village of offensive skill players who will try to compensate for his loss.

Meanwhile, on defense, the Giants will be facing a significantly banged-up 49ers team. The Giants defense has started to show signs of coming together and will look to put their first complete game int the books this weekend.

With all that said, here are some of our key players to watch in the Giants Week 3 home game against San Francisco.

Running Back Wayne Gallman

Last week, fourth-year running back Wayne Gallman was a healthy scratch. That is not expected to be the case this week, even with the addition of former Falcons running back Devonta Freeman, who should be active for the game as well.

Last season, Gallman relieved Barkley after the star running back suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 3. Gallman recorded 63 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown in his first start that year and caught six passes for 55 yards and a touchdown to help his team win the game.

Unfortunately, his success was short-lived as he suffered a concussion the following week. After Barkley returned to the lineup, Gallman, who started as the No. 2 back behind Barkley, fell off the depth chart behind mid-season pickup Buck Allen.

Gallman is in a contract year this season, and on the surface, him being deactivated last week isn't a very promising sign. But this week, he could have a chance to show the coaching staff that he's ready for a more consistent role in the team's running game.

Tight End Evan Engram

After a forgettable game in Week 1, Evan Engram is coming off a much better game in which he caught six passes for 65 yards.

Engram seems to have a history of stepping up and delivering the goods when teammates are lost for the season. He did so a few years ago when the team lost receiver Odell Beckham Jr, his performance being one of the many reasons why the Giants felt comfortable trading Beckham.

This year, Engram will get that chance to ride to the rescue again as he's projected to continue in his role as a slot receiver, where his size gives him a significant advantage over most smaller slot cornerbacks.

And keep an eye out on the possibility of Engram somehow facing 49ers star safety Jimmie Ward, who has given up 10-of-12 completions thrown his way for 101 yards and a rating of 101.7.

Receiver Darius Slayton

Darius Slayton is coming off a quiet game last week after a big first week, though that could very well have been a function of the game plan.

With Shepard out, Slayton is projected to be a big part of what the Giants are believed to be planning in the passing game.

One of Slayton's most underrated talents is his ability to find the soft spots in zone coverage, and the 49ers, at least so far this season, have shown a propensity to run a lot of zone coverages.

Slayton leads the NFL with ten receiving touchdowns since Week 5 of 2019. He also appears to have an unbreakable bond with quarterback Daniel Jones that has benefitted the offense in the past and could benefit it again this weekend.

Giants Offensive Line

The Giants’ offensive line has had two challenging assignments so far this season against the Bears and Steelers defensive fronts.

Although the 49ers are banged up and will be missing Thomas and Bosa, that doesn't make the unit any less challenging.

Last week the unit got off to a rocky start against the Bears, allowing four sacks, but then started to play better as the game went on, keeping Khalil Mack, Robert Quinn, and Akiem Hicks at bay in the second half.

With the 49ers defensive secondary so banged up and struggling, who nice would it be if this were the week the Giants took the training wheels off their deep passing game, which thus far has seen them complete two of three pass attempts of 20 or more yards for 65 yards and one touchdown?

Corenrback James Bradberry

Cornerback James Bradberry is coming off a stellar performance, where he earned PFF’s "Defensive Player of the Week" honors.

Bradberry held Bears star wideout Allen Robinson to one reception (out of six targets) for 14 yards and forced two interceptions, including one he picked off and the other picked off by Julian Love.

Again, the 49ers are banged up; they will be without No. 1 wideout Deebo Samuel and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Kendrick Bourne and rookie Brandon Aiyuk figure to be among the receiving targets for backup quarterback Nick Mullens.

Bourne has 101 yards on six receptions through two weeks. Will Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham have Bradberry travel with Bourne, or will they maybe look to play sides this week? Regardless, Bradberry is in mid-season form, which is a positive development for the Giants that they need to continue.

(Additional reporting by Patricia Traina.)