Rookie offensive lineman J.C. Davis made a notable impression during the New York Giants' preseason victory against the Miami Dolphins on August 22, 2026, playing all 81 snaps at left tackle. The sixth-round draft pick was the Giants' highest-graded lineman in both pass blocking and run blocking, according to Pro Football Focus, achieving scores of 87.1 and 87.0 respectively.
Coach John Harbaugh stated that it was a deliberate objective to test Davis in that specific situation, aiming to evaluate his ability to perform a full NFL game at left tackle. While it was only a preseason game, the experience is considered a significant step in his development and has begun to build confidence for the team. This is particularly relevant given the team's struggles to adequately replace starter Andrew Thomas, who has missed 22 regular-season games since the start of the 2023 season.
Davis, who played college football at Contra Costa Community College and Illinois, acknowledged that while he sees areas for improvement, his performance was largely positive. He has been observing and learning from Thomas, focusing on aspects of preparation, pass sets, and the run game. Davis has been working to maintain a consistent performance level throughout training camp, with his showing against the Dolphins marking a significant step forward.
Unlike Thomas, a former first-round pick who arrived with considerable expectations, Davis joined the team with less fanfare. His potential to secure a reserve role as a later-round draft pick makes his performance a valuable bonus for the Giants. Harbaugh noted that while Davis does not carry the same level of expectation as Thomas, he is expected to play an important role and must be prepared to step in at any time.