The New York Giants made major changes to their offense this offseason, mainly at quarterback, where they added veterans Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and rookie Jaxson Dart.
Many experts agree that the Giants should be significantly better offensively than in the past two seasons, when they averaged under 16 points per game. It’s the rest of the offensive “core” specialists that are under question, however — the running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends — that are lacking among critics.
In the latest ranking of all 32 NFL teams’ non-quarterback core players, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell lists the Giants at No. 26, stating there’s very little beyond star second-year wideout Malik Nabers.
Nabers lived up to the hopes of Giants fans last season, overcoming dismal quarterback play to rack up 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie. Nabers had drop issues, including a late whiff that would have put the Giants in position to beat the Commanders in September, but he was easily the most dynamic receiver the organization has put on the field since the early days of Odell Beckham Jr. With improved quarterback play in Year 2, Nabers could challenge to rank among the league’s most productive wideouts.
Beyond Nabers, there’s not a ton. Darius Slayton’s ability to win deep has been marginalized in an offense that didn’t often throw deep with Daniel Jones, and the veteran averaged just 1.2 yards per route run last season. Wan’Dale Robinson has almost exclusively been limited to a gadget role, averaging a league-low 5.0 yards per target in 2024. Rookie tight end Theo Johnson came in at 1.0 yards per route run and seemed to struggle trying to catch passes in the flat, although he did have a couple of big gains up the seam in the midseason on throws that might be featured more often with the Giants’ new quarterbacks.
The Giants may surprise the league with not only an improved receiving corps but a solid backfield as well, with players such as Tyrone Tracy Jr., Devin Singletary, and rookie Cam Skattebo.
Tracy was thrust into an impossible position as Saquon Barkley’s replacement and had a quietly solid season with one significant problem: five fumbles, which likely gave the Giants pause as they decided whether to hand the job over to him on a full-time basis this offseason. Fourth-round pick Cam Skattebo is sure to become a fan favorite in Jersey, but the 225-pounder might struggle to run through NFL tacklers as easily as he did in college.
Big Blue can flip the narrative by remaining healthy and finally realizing the vision set out for them by general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll. The upgrades at quarterback should be able to drive that initiative.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants’ offensive core ranked among NFL’s worst
Reporting by John Fennelly, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
