NEW YORK GIANTS (6-11)
EXPECTATIONS: The Giants are heading into their centennial season. Last season was dismal and running back Saquon Barkley left for a big payday in Philadelphia. Quarterback Daniel Jones is coming off ACL surgery. The revamped offensive line has shown improvement after allowing a franchise-record 85 sacks last season. Safety and second-leading tackler Xavier McKinney signed with Green Bay after playing every defensive snap. Coach Brian Daboll heads into his third season with general manager Joe Schoen. Based on the organization’s recent history of impatience, both might be in trouble if the team doesn’t improve. A lot has to fall into place for that to happen. Jones needs to show his ’22 form when he led the Giants to their only playoff berth since 2016 and earned a $160 million contract. Rookie receiver Malik Nabers has to live up to his big-play potential in camp and now needs to stay healthy. While the new O-line has shown promise, it needs the keep Jones upright in the season and open holes for new No. 1 back Devin Singletary. Daboll has taken over the play-calling from coordinator Mike Kafka and going downfield has been stressed in the passing game. Defensively, New York has outstanding pieces in tackle Dexter Lawrence, edge rushers Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns, inside linebacker Bobby Okereke and cornerback Deonte Banks. Placekicker Graham Gano is back in form coming off surgery on his left knee.
NEW FACES: Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial, Burns, QB Drew Lock, OL Jermaine Eluemunor, OL Jon Runyan Jr., OL Greg Van Roten, OL Aaron Stinnie, Singletary, Nabers, TE Theo Johnson, CB Dru Phillips, S Tyler Nubin.
KEY LOSSES: RB Saquon Barkley, S Xavier McKinney, QB Tyrod Taylor, G Ben Bredeson, TE Darren Sharper, WR Sterling Shepard, DL A’Shawn Robinson, CB Adoree Jackson, LB Cam Brown.
STRENGTHS: For the first time in years, the Giants have four speedsters at the wide receiver spot. Nabers has been making big plays since training camp opened and he gives Jones options to go deep in addition to Darius Slayton, second-year speedster Jalin Hyatt and Wan’Dale Robinson. Besides Nabers, the biggest offseason move Schoen made was acquiring Burns from Carolina. He gives New York a greater chance of pressuring quarterbacks when combined with Thibodeaux and Lawrence. It could go a long way to helping a secondary in flux with Jackson and McKinney gone.
WEAKNESSES: With McKinney and Jackson gone, third-year pro Cor’Dale Flott was given Jackson’s job at cornerback and looked good until developing a quad injury. Veteran Nick McCloud started against Houston in the second preseason game and was good. The safeties — Jason Pinnock and Dane Belton — need to play tighter. Nubin has potential and should help. Third-round draft pick Dru Phillips has looked good as the nickel back. A big pass rush could help the secondary.
CAMP DEVELOPMENT: Besides Jones and Nabers, second-year running back Eric Gray and rookie Tyrone Tracy are competing for the No. 2 back spot. Free agent Dante Miller also has played well. Fourth-round draft pick Theo Johnson will get plays as a receiving tight end. Free agent defensive tackle Elijah Chatman has jumped up the depth chart.
FANTASY PLAYER TO WATCH: Nabers. He is the most exciting rookie receiver to come to training camp since New York took fellow LSU product Odell Beckham Jr. with the No. 12 pick overall in the 2014 draft. All Beckham did was catch 91 passes for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games. Nabers had 89 catches for 1,596 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Both players left after their junior seasons.
BetMGM Sportsbook: Win Super Bowl: 150-1. Over/under wins: 6 1/2.
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