The New York Giants are coming off of back-to-back disappointing seasons. They made the playoffs in 2016, but only have a combined eight wins in 2017 and 2018. To be contenders this year and in the future, head coach Pat Shurmer has quite a few decisions to make.
Giants’ rookies are the key to success
Despite heavy media criticism (and harsh Madden ratings) of New York’s most recent draft picks, these rookies are set to overperform in 2019. Both Dexter Lawrence and DeAndre Baker are already being asked to take starting reps in training camp, and Daniel Jones has been preparing to start whenever necessary.
Outside of the first round, other rookies are already beginning to carve out a role with the team. Wide receiver Darius Slayton has seen some reps with the starters and shown off his elite speed. Edge rusher Oshane Ximines is going to be rotating in often. Fourth-round pick Julian love is currently battling with Grant Haley to be the starting nickel cornerback.
By the end of the year, it is possible that six rookies will be starting for this team.
2011 Manning needs to make a comeback
Eli Manning’s career has been on the decline for several years. Ever since his last miraculous Super Bowl run, he has not been able to elevate himself to the level that he once was. Now, as he heads into the new season at the ripe age of 38, he needs to play better than ever.
Manning will have limited options at receiver this year. Golden Tate is going to start, but both other projected starters have already had injuries in training camp. Sterling Shepard fractured his thumb and Corey Coleman tore his ACL in the same practice. The team will heavily lean on Saquon, but the need for receiving talent is evident. The offensive line, however, has been completely redone. With the addition of Kevin Zeitler and Mike Remmers and the return of Jon Halapio, the O-line is no longer the most glaring need on the team.
In what is almost definitely his last year in the league, Eli has no star receiver and a rookie quarterback looking for an opportunity to dethrone him. He has said several times that he has focused on getting himself in the best physical shape possible for the season, and Giants fans can only hope that that’s true. This team will only go so far as Manning will take them, and he needs to return to Super Bowl form if the Giants will have any shot of contending for a title this year.
Saquon MUST stay healthy
It’s no secret that the Giants will live and die by the health of Saquon Barkley. In only his second year, he is unarguably their best player and most explosive playmaker. Now to be competitive in 2019, Saquon has to be even better.
In 2018, Barkley accrued more than 2,000 all-purpose yards and 15 total touchdowns. It was a record-breaking rookie season that only resulted in five wins. In a recent statement, he said that he is less concerned about individual success and is more focused on winning games. Nevertheless, if Saquon Barkley DID happen to go for 3,000 yards, it would definitely result in more wins.
It’s no secret that the running back position is becoming less valuable every year in the NFL. Still, the point remains that when Barkley does better, the entire team does better. In games where he rushed for 100 or more yards, the Giants averaged eight more points per game. In five games where Barkley rushed for less than 100 yards, the game was lost by less than eight points.
It is clear that if New York Giants want to make the playoffs this year, it will have to be on the back of the best running back in the league. Can the New York Giants contend in 2019?
