The next installment of the Know Your Enemy series focuses on the New York Giants. The Giants were 4-13 in 2021 and fired their coach Joe Judge after two seasons and GM David Gettleman. Brian Daboll (Buffalo OC) takes over as the Head Coach in 2022 for another rebuild in New York. The Giants were 3-5 in the Meadowlands and 1-8 on the road. There is some talent there despite the record, so let’s take a look at the team.
Strengths
Pass Rush OLB/Defensive Line
The Giants pass rush should be a strength. Leonard Williams (6.5 sacks), Azeez Ojulari (8 sacks as a rookie) and rookie 1st round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux are all good pass rushers with good talent. DT Dexter Lawrence is a nice clog in the middle too and veteran Justin Ellis was added for 3 tech from Baltimore. The Giants don’t have much depth, but the potential is there for these starters for consistent pressure and game changing sacks/turnovers forced.
Weapons and RB
The Giants have weapon talent, but that talent needs to produce much more. Kenny Golladay had a very down/injured year (521 yards 0 TDs) after signing a huge deal with the Giants from Detroit. Thanks for the 3rd round comp pick. He can be a number 1 WR if healthy. Sterling Shephard is a solid second WR (only 7 games in 2021) and Kadarius Toney was a 1st round pick rookie who did not reach his potential (420 yards 0 Tds).
Wan’Dale Robinson was drafted in Round 2 to backup Shephard in the slot. Darius Slayton and Richie James are adequate veteran depth. TE is weak with Evan Engram leaving in free agency. Ricky Seal Jones, Jordan Akins and 4th round rookie Daniel Bellinger probably won’t be much of anything for Daniel Jones.
RB Saquan Barkley is a big-time talent that can’t seem to stay healthy sans one year. He must have a monster season for the Giants after only 593 yards and 3.7 YPC in 13 games in 2021. Giants better run block much better. Matt Breida is decent depth behind Barkley.
The key will be Brian Daboll unlocking their potential and the potential of Daniel Jones.
Questions
QB
Daniel Jones has struggled through three years of his NFL career with two head coaches and various OCs. Jones notched an 84.5 QB rating with 10 TDs 7 ints in 11 games. Woof. Giants didn’t pick up his 5th year option, so this is his last chance to stick around with New York.
Offensive Line
Tackle could end up being a strength as the Giants finally addressed their RT problem with 1st round pick rookie Evan Neal from Alabama. Andrew Thomas is a good LT coming into his own last year after being a high 1st round pick (19th of 83 tackles). The interior is where the Giants will struggle with LG Shane Lemieux, Center Jon Felciano (59th of 82) and added veteran RG Mark Glowinski is the bright spot (21st of 82 guards).
Secondary
Xavier McKinney is a good young safety (15th of 92) but Jordan Love really struggled in 2021 (80th of 92). CB is really rough with Aaron Robinson and Darnay Holmes as the starting CB and nickel. Adoree Jackson is the bright spot with a career revival in 2021 (15th of 116 CBs). The Giants better get pressure or this secondary will be burnt toast.
LB
Blake Martinez is solid two years ago but on a huge deal and only played 142 snaps in 2021. Trae Crowder was the worst graded off the ball LB but is still the Giants starter in 2022. Two rookie day 3 picks back-up these LBs. LB is their weakest spot.
Schedule
Giants host the Bears in Week 4 and the Lions in Week 11. New York travels to London to face Green Bay in Week 5 in a road game. Finally, the Giants travel to the Vikings in Week 15 for a true road game in Minneapolis. The NFC North better all dominate the Giants. They look weak unless Daboll can work year 1 magic.