The New York Giants overachieved last season en route to a playoff appearance, and wild card victory. Giants Quarterback Daniel Jones was excellent en route to a thrilling 31-24 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in his first-ever playoff start. The execution was flawless from start to finish and they showed that a hostile environment like the one in Minnesota was no tall task. Even with limited weapons, and a below-average offensive line, Jones and the offense clicked and got their revenge after falling to the Vikings on Christmas Eve, just a few weeks earlier.
The playoff train derailed in embarrassing fashion the following week at the hands of arch-nemesis, the Philadelphia Eagles by the score of 38-7. Jones was under duress all game and his performance was the opposite of the week prior. Not all of it was his fault however, the talent gap was obvious between the two teams. The constant pressure and lack of explosive offensive skill position players were too much to overcome for a team that overachieved all year.
Giants General Manager Joe Schoen declined the fifth-year option for Daniel Jones prior to the start of the 2022 season, which made Daniel Jones a free agent upon the conclusion of the season. This led to weeks of speculation amongst fans whether or not Jones was worthy of a new contract, given the mediocre finish and average season statistically. The question became if Jones had already reached his ceiling, or if there is more potential to unlock now that he has stability at Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator. Is Jones on the verge of a breakout season or have we seen the best he has to offer?
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Daniel Jones Secures The Bag
All of the offseason chatter came to a close when Daniel Jones signed a four-year deal worth $160 million dollars. This speaks to the trust and belief from the front office and coaching staff that Jones has the skill set and intangibles to take his game to the next level. For the first time in his young career, Jones has stability and a better roster around him to maximize his skill set. Signing a contract is great, having better talent around him is better. After a couple of seasons, teams usually know whether or not players are worth letting go or not.
Rarely is a fifth-year player talked about having a breakout season, especially a Quarterback. This unfortunately for Giants fans, is the result of poor roster management and resource allocation from the previous regime, leaving a talented player like Jones trying to play hero ball week in and week out. Even without adequate talent around him, Jones’ dual-threat ability continued to make the difference this past season as the team reached nine wins, and ultimately, secured himself another chance as a starter for the Giants.
The biggest improvement this year for Jones was the ability to protect the football, and he did just that by only throwing five interceptions all year. With below-average offensive line play and below-average talent at wide receiver, it was encouraging for Giants fans to see that Jones was gaining more confidence and not hurting the team by turning the ball over. Now with Jones signed, adding additional talent in the trenches and at wide receiver was the main objective.
Support Is On The Way
The #Giants' trade for TE Darren Waller is now official: 2023 third-round compensatory pick from Kansas City (No. 100) goes to the Raiders, as previously reported.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) March 15, 2023
Darren Waller was targeted on 4 of Daniel Jones’ 9 pass attempts in the Giants’ last preseason game (44.4% target share)
Could Waller finish as the TE2 this season behind Travis Kelce?
(📹 @BobbySkinner_)pic.twitter.com/oWfitCS0Th
— Mojo (@mojo) August 22, 2023
For Daniel Jones to maximize his potential, more talent is needed around him. Joe Schoen began this process by trading wide receiver Kadarius Toney to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2023 third-round pick (number 100 overall). Schoen flipped the 100th selection back to the Las Vegas Raiders for Tight End Darren Waller to give Jones a new target. At his apex, Waller is a Pro Bowl caliber player who is a great security blanket for any Quarterback.
It is safe to say that Jones has never had a talent like Waller to throw to and his reliance on him is already showing. Even though the wide receiver room lacks elite-level talent like Justin Jefferson, Ja’marr Chase, or Davante Adams, the newer acquisitions are the best supporting cast that Jones has had thus far in his career. Wide receivers Isaiah Hodgins, Parris Campbell, rookie Jalin Hyatt, Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard, and Wan’dale Robinson all offer unique advantages and skillsets to open up the passing game for OC Mike Kafka and Jones. The skill position personnel isn’t complete, but it is far better than the first four seasons of Jones’ career.
Growth is expected from last year’s first-round pick, Evan Neal, and the offensive line as a whole. Jones familiarity with the offense and what is being asked of him is already a step in the right direction, now the newer additions around him need to step up and make his life easier. If those pieces do step up, it is within reason that Jones can elevate his level of play resulting in a breakout campaign. A September 10th home prime-time game against a well-coached Dallas Cowboys defense is the first test in this potential breakout campaign, now he has to seize it.
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Main Photo Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
