For a team that has been mediocre at best for the last few years, we just saw them kill the 2021 NFL Draft and after a 2020 campaign that convinced me that they have the right coaching staff, we just might see a New York Giants team in playoff contention. It is hard to be sold on Danny Dimes just yet but he might not have to be an All-World player for the Giants to succeed this year. Let’s see why.
Offense
QB Daniel Jones
RB Saquon Barkley
WR Kenny Golladay
WR Kadarius Toney
WR Darius Slayton
TE Evan Engram
LT Nate Solder
LG Shane Lemieux
C Nick Gates
RG Zach Fulton
RT Matt Peart
Now this is an offense that can compete with a defense like that of Washigton’s. Daniel Jones went from having Darius Slayton as his WR1 and Wayne Gallman as his RB1 in 2020 to having Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney and a healthy Saquon Barkley for 2021. Not only will Danny Dimes be able to show what he is truly capable of but this is an offense with the dynamic talent and explosion to put up 25+ points any given Sunday. The offensive line is good not great which is encouraging considering what it has been in years prior. Andrew Thomas, last year’s top five pick, isn’t in the starting lineup for now but that is subject to change. Nonetheless this is a solid line that is ready to give Danny Dimes a few more seconds than in years prior.
Defense
LDE Dexter Lawrence
NT Danny Shelton
RDE Leonard Williams
LOLB Azeez Ojulari
LILB Blake Martinez
RILB Reggie Ragland
ROLB Lorenzo Carter
LCB James Bradberry
RCB Adoree Jackson
SCB Aaron Robinson
SS Jabrill Peppers
FS Xavier McKinney
This defense is what really pushes the Giants into playoff contention. After the additions of Adoree Jackson, Azeez Ojulari, Danny Shelton, Reggie Ragland, and Aaron Robinson, this is a unit that is stout in every aspect of the game. Pass rush, pass coverage, run stopping, and overall football acumen has been elevated greatly through the offseason additions. This is a defense with serious top ten buzz and overlooking this group of men could be a serious mistake for any and every offense in the NFL.
I never expected to be saying this in my lifetime but, this is a complete football team top to bottom. There are very few holes on this team and they finally have the coaches to go somewhere. We will find out concretely this year if Daniel Jones is the answer at QB but regardless of his play, this fearsome defense and explosive offense is going to keep them in serious playoff talks from week one to week seventeen.
