New York Giants rookie emerging as enormous steal of 2025 NFL Draft after impressive preseason debut vs. Buffalo Bills originally appeared on A to Z Sports.
Spirits are incredibly high after the New York Giants’ 35-24 preseason victory over the Buffalo Bills.
Advertisement
A long list of positives from the performance has media outlets raving over the Giants’ new-look squad. One name who was once one of the most unheralded is firmly in the spotlight after a fantastic performance.
That player is rookie offensive lineman Marcus Mbow out of Purdue.
Mbow shines in multiple roles
When Mbow was selected as the 154th pick in the 5th round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the expectation was that he would be a developmental prospect. His college tape was filled with athletic potential, but many areas that needed refinement.
Advertisement
However, his impact has shown up sooner than anticipated.
Per PFF, Mbow allowed only one pressure throughout his 35 pass-blocking reps. During Saturday’s game, Mbow contributed at both left and right tackle, making the feat even more notable.
View the original article to see embedded media.
Understandably, Mbow’s impressive day came against mostly reserve players for the Buffalo Bills. But a day like yesterday establishes a fantastic foundation for a young prospect who needs to stack quality performances in practices and games.
Advertisement
When speaking to the media on Sunday, head coach Brian Daboll acknowledged the strong game from Mbow.
“I thought he did a good job. Protected well. Was athletic. Knew all of the plays, assignments that he had. He’s had a good camp up to this point … He’s done a nice job since he’s been here.”
On a rewatch of Mbow’s snaps, two things stand out: smoothness and comfort. Mbow’s best traits as a prospect were his light feet and flexibility. In pass protection, he maintained a wide base with quick feet, beating many rushers to the initial point of contact. His flexibility flashed as he was able to mirror and redirect without much difficulty. Overall, he was an incredibly smooth mover on most players.
Advertisement
What may be the most impressive aspect of his performance was how comfortable he looked at both tackle spots. If you ask any offensive lineman, trying to play opposite sides of the line requires athleticism and body control. Mbow made that complex task look easy, with no discernible difference between each position.
View the original article to see embedded media.
This does not mean Mbow should be thrust into the starting lineup after one good game. However, it does call into question whether he could unseat a veteran as the team’s sixth offensive lineman.
Advertisement
This offseason, the Giants signed former Cleveland Browns tackle James Hudson III to fill that swing lineman role. Last year, the Giants’ lack of offensive line depth significantly hurt them. Improving this was imperative this offseason, as Andrew Thomas started training camp on the PUP list.
If Mbow looks ready, the rookie occupying that position would benefit the team more than Hudson. If Mbow were to get an opportunity to play later in the regular season, those reps would be more valuable for a rookie than a veteran free agent.
With multiple Giants rookies generating buzz during the preseason, Mbow is a name that fans should watch closely to see if he climbs the depth chart.
This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Aug 10, 2025, where it first appeared.