The Giants enter a season with expectations of — once again — being one of the worst teams in the NFL. Sportsbooks have Big Blue’s over/under set at 6.5 wins with +15000 odds to win the Super Bowl.
While the expectations to hoist the Lombardi Trophy are absent this season, there are still plenty of things to keep an eye on for this upcoming season.
Here are 10 things to watch for the Giants this year:
DANIEL JONES’ PERFORMANCE
Perhaphs the worst-kept secret in football this offseason was Joe Schoen’s desire to trade up for a quarterback. Just one season after handing Jones a four-year, $160 million contract, the team appeared prepared to move on.
However, with the season set to get underway Sunday, Jones will be back under center in an attempt at a redemption season after his 2023 came to an end due to a torn ACL in Week 9.
With an improved offensive line and receiving core, the 27-year-old is likely beginning his last chance to prove he is the Giants’ franchise quarterback.
MALIK NABERS HYPE
The No. 6 overall pick in the draft has generated plenty of excitement this offseason. Malik Nabers will be must-watch television for Giants faithful this season.
The wide receiver has impressed during training camp and the preseason as the LSU product is giving many flashbacks of Odell Beckham Jr. during his exciting start to his career in blue.
While the talent is cant-miss, keep an eye on how the 21-year-old handles his frustrations should Jones struggle as he has in years past.
OFFENSIVE LINE PLAY
While the Giants did add some new faces to the offensive line — Jermaine Eluemunor and Jon Runyan — they still do not grade out well against the rest of the league.
Pro Football Focus ranks their offensive front 29th in the NFL.
The G-Men’s offensive line has been a struggle for years and it remains to be seen if it is still an issue.
LIFE WITHOUT SAQUON
Saquon Barkley darted out of town to the division rival Philadelphia Eagles on a three-year, $45 million contract.
Devin Singletary figures to be air to the throne as the Giants inked the 26-year-old to a three-year, $16.5 million contract.
The veteran rushed for 898 yards with four touchdowns for the Houston Texans last season. Big Blue’s offense will need a boost from Singletary to replace what they lost in Barkley.
FUROCIOUS DEFENSIVE FRONT
Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns.
The three-headed monster will be the strength of the Giants’ defense as Schoen brought Burns — a two-time pro bowler — into the fold in an offseason trade with the Carolina Panthers.
Shane Bowen’s defense will be getting after the quarterback.
THE OTHER RECEIVERS
While Nabers gets all of the attention, there are two other receivers who deserve some eyes.
Jalin Hyatt and Wan’Dale Robinson round out a young and versatile receiving core that should generate some excitement.
Both Hyatt and Robinson flashed potential at different points of last season, it remains to be seen if either of them can take the leap this season.
BRIAN DABOLL
Brian Daboll enters year three as Giants’ head coach and his tenure has been a rollercoaster.
After finishing 9-7-1 and adding a playoff victory in his rookie season, Daboll’s squald faltered in 2023 finishing 6-11.
This is a crucial year for the 49-year-old as the glitz and glamor of his improbable first season has worn off.
CORNERBACK
The Giants’ secondary needed a boost, and they called upon a familiar face in Adoree Jackson to help.
However, while the defensive line figures to be elite, the back end of the defense is quite the opposite.
Prior to the Jackson signing, Pro Football Focus had their secondary ranked 31 in all of football and losing Xavier McKinney in free agency didn’t help matters.
DARREN WALLER REPLACEMENT
Darren Waller retired this offseason leaving a hole at tight end in Daboll’s offense.
Daniel Bellinger and rookie Theo Johnson are the names to watch to see who emerges in the role of receiving tight end.
TANKATHON
It’s no secret that the general consensus is the Giants will be bad.
Meaningless victories took them out of the quarterback sweepstakes in the NFL Draft last season which led to them having no choice but to stick with Daniel Jones.
This years quarterback class doesn’t figure to be as strong, however, one way or another, the Giants will need to figure out who their franchise quarterback is with the outcome of this season.
