The season is approaching. The editorial staff of DNA of Sports invites you to take stock of the strengths and weaknesses of the 32 franchises. Today, the New York Giants 2023. You can find all the presentations by clicking on this link.
After five negative seasons, the Giants have finally made their fans smile again in 2022. Far from having the best squad or the best quarterback, the New York state of mind is not one of making excuses: no time to sleep, you have to beat the competitors as Nas, a child from this town, sings.
Last season: 9 wins – 7 losses – 1 draw, eliminated in the 2nd round of the playoffs
Movements in the off-season
Notable arrivals: Bobby Okereke (LB), Parris Campbell (WR), Isaiah Simmons (LB/S), Cole Beasley (WR), Jamison Crowder (WR), A’Shawn Robinson (DT), James Robinson (RB), Rakeem Nunez-Roches (DT)
Resignatures: Daniel Jones (QB), Dexter Lawrence (DT), Andrew Thomas (OT), Saquon Barkley (RB), Darius Slayton (WR), Isaiah Hodgins (WR), Jihad Ward (DE), Jamie Gillian (P)
Draft: Deonte Banks (CB), John Michael Schmitz (OC), Jalin Hyatt (WR), Eric Gray (RB), Tre Hawkins (CB), Jordon Riley (DT), Gervarrius Owens (S)
Notable departures: Julian Love (NB), Jon Feliciano (IOL), Nick Gates (IOL), Kenny Golladay (WR), Richie James (WR), Fabian Moreau (CB), Jaylon Smith (LB)
An off-season under the seal of continuity with the extensions of the two major players on each side of the ball: Daniel Jones (QB) and Dexter Lawrence (DT). Also those of tackle Andrew Thomas and runner Saquon Barkley: the first on a record contract for the position, the second for only one season.
Two external elements, however, reinforce each side of the ball. Bobby Okereke is a tackle machine: 132 in 2021 and 153 in 2022 and tight end Darren Waller is hoping to revive a career in decline since his tremendous 2020 season.
The strong points)
Dexter Lawrence is the best nose tackle in the NFL: the most inside player on the defensive line. When he is positioned in front of the opposing center, he sweeps everything in his path: in 2022, he signs 47 pressures as O-Technique and 1-Technique, where the second in NFL (Vita Vea, Buccaneers) does not sign that 18!
In addition, he is perfectly assisted on this first curtain by Leonard Williams. As long as young edge rushers Azeez Ojulari and Kayvon Thibodeaux increase their levels of play, the Giants defensive line will give opposing offensive lines nightmares.
In 2022, the level of quarterback Daniel Jones has gone up a notch: he has signed his best statistics in his career. His interceptions rate was the 2nd in the NFL and in the last 10 yards, his completions rate was the best in the NFL. In addition, he had his best statistical season with 708 yards and 7 touchdowns on the ground.
Running remains the real strong point of these Giants. With 148.2 yards on the ground per game and 21 touchdowns over the season, the Giants ranked 4th in the NFL in these two categories in 2022. Manager Joe Schoen has also reinforced this sector in the 2nd round of the draft: the center John Michael Schmitz is excellent at opening up gaps for the ground game.
Saquon Barkley is a phenomenon. Healthy again, he shone in 2022 with 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is this type of runner who knows how to do everything well: run right in the center or overflow on the outside and in addition he has good hands. Extended for only one season, he will play to show that he deserves more.
Kicker Graham Gano is in the NFL top 5. This position seems incidental but note that 21% of the points scored in 2022 were thanks to his foot.
The weak spots)
Pressure and cover go hand in hand in defense because these two actions interact. The work produced in the trenches is only too little exploited by the back line: 13th NFL in sacks but 32nd in interceptions! Adoree Jackson is 15-20 at best in her position as safety Xavier McKinney returns from injury. The others make the division’s offensive coordinators smile: Cordale Flott, Amani Owurariye, Bobby McCain, Jason Pinnock, Dane Belton and Darnay Holmes.
New York is pinning a lot of hope on the 1st round of the 2023 draft: Deonte Banks. His physique (1m86 for 90 kilos) and his exceptional athletic qualities will help: 4.35 seconds over 40 yards and an athletic score of 9.99 out of 10 ! If he will sometimes make rookie mistakes, he has the potential to become the essential number 1 cornerback of any good defense.
Inside the offensive line, the Giants are not impressing any opponent: Joshua Ezeudu, Mark Glowinski, Ben Bredeson and Shane Lemieux. Rookie John Michael Schmitz is of a whole different caliber but he will only be a rookie in 2023.
Too bad for the Giants because their 2023 calendar is full of quality defensive tackles: Da’Ron Payne and Jonathan Allen (Commanders), Fletcher Cox and Jalen Carter (Eagles), Javon Hargrave and Arik Armstead (49ers), Christian Wilkins (Dolphins) , Ed Oliver (Bills), Quinnen Williams (Jets) and Aaron Donald (Rams)!
In 2022, 13 of the NFL’s top 14 air attacks had at least one player going over 1,000 yards in the season. Who can this player be for the Giants? None seem of this caliber. The Giants’ receiving squad is only the 23rd in the NFL in terms of cost ($21.4M).
However, a strategy is in place.
X factor: speed
In 2022, Daniel Jones was only the 24th quarterback in yards per pass, that’s too few plays going 25 or more yards in the air. Yet his arm is powerful enough to regularly attack the depth.
One constant, however, animated the construction of the squad of receivers: speed! The 40-yard times of Giants receivers are enough to panic opposing cornerbacks: Parris Campbell (4.31 seconds), Bryce Ford-Wheaton (4.38), Darius Slayton (4.39), Jalin Hyatt (4.40 ), Wan’Dale Robinson (4.44), Sterling Shepard (4.48) and Cole Beasley (4.49). This is still the case with the main rookie of the offseason: tight end Darren Waller and his time of 4.46 seconds during the NFL Combine 2015.
Forcing opponents to defend the run and then punishing them with a deep throw is the attacking strategy for 2023.
Player to watch: Isaiah Simmons
Chosen in the top 10 of the 2020 draft, Isaiah Simmons did not win in Arizona. Walked between the positions of safety, linebacker and inside cornerback, his versatility served him more than anything else.
Acquired against a 2024 draft pick (7th round), he could bounce back in New York. The first element going in this direction, his versatility is precious: 99 tackles including 4 sacks and 7 passes defended including 2 interceptions in 13 games in 2022! It seems to arrive at the best possible place.
Giants defensive coordinator Don Martindale built his reputation on using the blitz. This tactic consists in sending a lot of players to attack the pocket in order to create a favorable excess against the offensive players. In 2022, the Giants defense used this tactic on 39.7% of defensive plays: 1st NFL!
Isaiah Simmons has the qualities to thrive in this area with his mix of size and speed. In addition, he will not be out of place because the Cardinals were in 2022 the 2nd NFL defense to use blitz (34.5%).
2023 New York Giants Schedule
Cowboys, @Cardinals, @49ers, Seahawks, @Dolphins, @Bills, Commanders, Jets, @Raiders, @Cowboys, @Commanders, Patriots, BYE, Packers, @Saints, @Eagles, Rams, Eagles
The 2023 calendar is a real Stations of the Cross! In addition to battling the Eagles and Cowboys twice, they will also face the 49ers, the Bills, the Jets, the Dolphins, the Saints and the Seahawks! The matches against Seattle in week 4 and New Orleans in week 15 could be decisive in the quest for a place in the playoffs.
The audio preview of the podcast
In summary
The franchise seems to be on the right track but there are still glaring shortages in the workforce: no number 1 receiver and a future number 1 cornerback in Deonte Banks, but nothing more than a rookie at present. Given the relative weakness of the NFC conference, the Giants can reach the playoffs. But nothing is less certain.
Two teams seem above in the NFC: the Eagles and the 49ers. The Giants will therefore fight for one of the five remaining playoff spots. Cowboys, Lions, Vikings, Saints and Seahawks seem at least on par. One too many?
Going to the playoffs would represent a successful season, passing a round a feat and going to the end a miracle! But if there is a city where everything is possible, it is undoubtedly that of New York.
