Last year, the New York Giants earned their first playoff win since the 2011 Super Bowl season. QB Daniel Jones clicked with new coach Brian Daboll and had his best season (3,205 passing yards, 15 TD, 5 INT and 708 rushing yards and 7 rushing TDs). Saquon Barkley stayed healthy the whole season. Offensive tackle Andrew Thomas looked like one of the best blockers in the league. Guys like Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, and Richie James stepped up at receiver. The defense was solid too, holding their opponents to under 23 points in 12 of 17 regular season games. Daboll was rewarded with the AP Coach of the Year Award and Jones was awarded with a 4 year, $160 million contract. This season, though, everything has gone to shit. It seems like the progress the Giants made last year was a mirage. They have a 2-7 record and are about to start XFL-level QB Tommy DeVito as 17-point underdogs in Dallas. Jones, Thomas, top cornerback Adoree Jackson, backup QB Tyrod Taylor, and tight end Darren Waller are all currently hurt. Barkley missed time early in the season. Even their kicker, Graham Gano, sustained a season-ending injury. You know it's a hellish season when even your backup QB and your kicker get injured. Giant fans would probably rather read 2024 mock drafts than watch their team this weekend. Here are some thoughts on what they can do in the offseason to get out of this mess.
Quarterback
I know some Giants fans are finished with Daniel Jones and will want the team to draft Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. I understand that. It's difficult to get excited about another season of Danny Dimes, especially when in six 2023 games he got sacked on 15% of his dropbacks, threw 6 picks, and fumbled the ball 4 times. However, I maintain the position that Jones can win in the right surroundings and situation. It makes sense for the Giants to give him one more shot and work on improving the pieces around him. To me, the Giants should use a Day 3 draft pick on a toolsy quarterback project like the University of Tennessee's Joe Milton. If Jones falters again next season, they can turn to the rookie and see if he's got the chops. Despite Jones' massive contract, the Giants could have an out after the 2024-25 season if they're willing to stomach $22 million in dead salary. If Jones falters in 2024 and their project QB doesn't flash starter potential, they can cut ties with Danny Dimes and plan to draft their next franchise QB in the 2025 Draft.
Running Back
Saquon Barkley is set to be a free agent this offseason, and you can bet negotiations between him and the Giants will be pretty cold. I expect Barkley to be on another team in 2024, and New York to try and compile a committee of backs to replace him. I'd start by drafting one on Day 2. The Giants picked up what should be a late 2nd round pick from Seattle in the Leonard Williams trade. I think that pick is a good range for NYG to select their RB of the future. They need to get a guy with potential to be a workhorse who has solid receiving ability. I'd look at Braelon Allen from Wisconsin or Jonathon Brooks from Texas. The Giants could then go out in free agency to add a decent backup like Zack Moss or Joshua Kelley.
Wide Receiver
Part of what creates the Daniel Jones "is he good or is he bad?" conundrum is that he's never had e legitimate WR1 in his whole career. They've tried to find one and failed spectacularly- the Giants handed Kenny Golladay a 4 year, $72 million contract in 2021. He proceeded to score just one touchdown and totaled 602 yards. The Giants cut him after two years. They've drafted a receiver in one of the first 3 rounds in each of the past 3 years. In 2021, it was Kadarius Toney, whom the team gave up on and traded to Kansas City. They added Wan'Dale Robinson in 2022 and Jalin Hyatt in the 2023 Draft. Robinson and Hyatt at best could be pieces in an effective passing game, but I do not expect them to ever be the number one option. They desperately need a WR1 to start turning this around. I will be advocating for the Giants to draft a receiver with their Top 5 draft pick this April. If you add Marvin Harrison, Jr. from Ohio State to this team, it will make Jones' life much easier. He'd also open up space for Darren Waller (provided he can get healthy), Hyatt, and Wan'Dale. If Jones is not the guy, you can still build your offense around Harrison for years to come. If they want to go the free agency route, the best options will be Tee Higgins, Mike Evans, and Michael Pittman.
Offensive Line
The offensive line is a crucial aspect of fixing this team. Going forward, I think New York can feel good about Andrew Thomas at left tackle and John Michael Schmitz at center. They locked in Thomas to a long-term extension this summer: 5 years, $117.5 million The other three starting spots, though, need some shuffling and retooling. Right tackle Evan Neal has struggled so far in his second year at right tackle. Neal is massive (6-7, 350 lbs), but he struggles with agility. He gets beaten too often by outside pass rushers. I think the Giants should slide Neal inside to right guard. Incumbent right guard Mark Glowinski will probably be a salary cap casualty this offseason. At left guard, Ben Bredeson is a solid starter who will be eligible for free agency. I'd look to bring him back at a reasonable number. Finding a starting tackle in free agency is a rough proposition, and this year's class looks especially stinky. It also makes sense to fill in the spots around Thomas with guys on rookie contracts. I'd target a tackle in the early second round of the draft like Oklahoma's Tyler Guyton. If they have to, they could even package picks and trade back into the back end of the first round to get their guy.
Defense - Front Seven
One bright spot for the Giants is their strong defensive line. They have two young stars in nose tackle Dexter Lawrence and edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux. Lawrence should be with the squad long term, as he agreed to a 4 year, $87.5 million contract during the 2023 offseason. Azeez Ojulari, when healthy, is another effective pass rusher. They've surrounded these guys with veterans like Jihad Ward, A'Shawn Robinson, and Rakeem Nunez-Roches. They are also solid at linebacker with Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden. They took a chance on Isaiah Simmons, but he hasn't really worked out - I doubt he will be back in 2024. New York should feel good about this unit, and they'll only need to keep adding depth pieces and guys who can take advantage when Lawrence is being double teamed
Defense - Secondary
I view the Giants' secondary as a big weakness that needs to be addressed in the offseason. To put it simply, this defense blitzes often but fails to create turnovers. They are near the bottom of the NFL this year with just 4 interceptions forced, and last year they finished 31st with 6. At cornerback, Adoree Jackson was the other big signing in 2021 with Golladay, and I'd say he has also been largely disappointing. He will be a free agent this offseason, and I believe New York will need to replace him. Deonte Banks can fill the other starting spot. I think they should go out and sign a free agent like Jaylon Johnson or Kristian Fulton. They should also use their 5th or 6th round pick to either draft a developmental corner or make a trade and buy low on a guy with falling stock, as Atlanta did when they made a trade with Detroit for Jeff Okudah. Maybe Donte Jackson from the Panthers could be a target. New York's safety play has been fine with Xavier McKinney and Jason Pinnock handling starting duties.
I'm recommending the Giants draft a bunch of offensive players, and that doesn't seem like a well-balanced draft. But I'm of the opinion that this team needs to go offense-heavy in the draft and use free agency more to strengthen their defense. With moves like this, the Giants can view 2024 as a final evaluation year for Daniel Jones. If he succeeds, great. If he doesn't they will have the foundation in place to surround their next quarterback.
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