The New York Giants have three players hoping to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 season.
(QB) Daniel Jones
After signing a four-year, $160M deal in the offseason, Jones played six games before tearing his ACL against the Raiders in 2023. He finished two touchdown passes, six interceptions and four fumbles as the team went 1-5 in his starts.
Remarkably, Jones’ contract has no guaranteed money beyond 2024. If he struggles, the Giants can easily cut ties with their former first-round pick. Fortunately for him, the team drafted Malik Nabers.
New York’s starting quarterback has waited five years for a receiver like Nabers. While Darius Slayton led the team with a pedestrian 770 yards last year, Nabers had 1,569 yards for LSU, second-most in the FBS.
Of course, New York’s offensive line allowed the second-most sacks (85) in NFL history last year. If recent additions like Jermaine Eluemunor and Jon Runyan can do better in the trenches, Jones and Nabers could do damage in a division holding the league’s two most generous secondaries (Washington and Philadelphia).
(RT) Evan Neal
New York was fortunate to have a pair of top-10 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. While it couldn’t be happier with its first selection, linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, it’s less excited about Neal, the seventh overall pick.
According to Pro Football Focus, Neal allowed seven sacks and had six false starts as a rookie. Last year wasn’t much better as the team’s right tackle gave up a pair of sacks while committing five penalties before an ankle injury ended his season after seven games.
To be fair, Neal spent most of his time on the left side of the line with Alabama and dealt with an MCL injury in 2022. The Giants also misdiagnosed his injury in 2023, calling his fractured ankle an “ankle sprain.”
Unfortunately, Neal’s offseason recovery hasn’t gone smoothly. He was limited to a stationary bike during the team’s recent minicamp after suffering a setback in his rehab. Ideally, the team hopes to use Eluemunor at left guard next season but if Neal can’t play, the seven-year veteran may have to take his place.
(WR) Isaiah Hodgins
A sixth-round pick of the Bills in 2020, New York claimed Hodgins off waivers midway through the 2022 season. After being held without a score in his first three games as a Giant, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound receiver had four touchdowns in his last five regular season games.
He had eight catches for 105 yards and another score in the NFC wild-card game, leading many to believe he’d have a larger role in 2023. But like the rest of the Giants offense, Hodgins struggled, managing just three touchdowns in 17 games.
By signing a one-year, $1M contract to return to the team, Hodgins clearly believes he’ll bounce back next season.
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