Giants: No Saquon, No QB. What’s Next?
Free agency is lurking, franchise tags have been applied, and the NFL draft is a long six weeks away. This time of year, teams hold their cards close to their chest, and try and figure out their next big move. With the Giants, we have to deal with a few facts: Saquon Barkley is a free agent now. Daniel Jones is a big question mark (injury). If both of them are gone, who should fans be excited about to watch play?
Now, I understand that this sounds dramatic. However, it is fair for Giants’ fans to feel they need to prepare for a roster that doesn’t have a lot of starpower.
Let’s ask another question. So far we’ve only mentioned offensive players. Who was the Giants’ biggest star (and name) on defense? Coming out of 2023, #29 is solid answer. Safety Xavier McKinney had 78 tackles and three interceptions last year. He too, is now a free agent. Though there is a good chance that he’ll return, McKinney could very well be gone, too.
So, New York Giants: Now What?
What a difference a year makes. After an incredibly disappointing year, I’m stating the obvious when I say the Giants have so much work to do. Let’s play “Hypothetical fan General Manager” here, and state, realistically, if all the above is true, who would we buy a ticket to come watch play?
Last year’s offensive performance was disgusting. The Giants scored 29 total touchdowns last year. That was the fourth lowest in the NFL. Only the Patriots, Panthers, and Jets (fewest) were worse. So, we need some playmakers.
Who is going to score points? If there is no Jones, let us get excited to at least be interested in a new franchise name like Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy at quarterback. Walking out of the 2024 draft with optimism is so important this year.
If Barkley moves his life to somewhere in Texas, who runs the ball? This is puzzling because the life of a running back in the NFL is not what it used to be. Josh Jacobs and A.J. Dillon are also free agents. It’s possible a late-round draft pick could step in here as well.
Wildcards
Lastly, after addressing the obvious glaring needs, the NFL offseason so far has been so unpredictable, you have to leave space for an “I did not see that happening” moment. QB Russell Wilson can be obtained for super-cheap (no thanks). Justin Fields can be traded for (Giants have two second round picks).
There are also some bargains available on defense. We saw about a dozen safeties suddenly find themselves team-less this week. Chase Young, Devin White, and Za’Darius Smith all need a home.
Lastly, head coach Brain Daboll has gone from coach of the year, to wondering if Daboll has come undone. All is not lost, but Daboll and GM Joe Schoen have the opportunity to get this GMen train back on track. Let’s hope over the next two months, they make some moves that give fans something to look forward to.
Because right now, we’re just not so sure.