The New York Giants have been criticized for their thin roster the past few years, a trend that will continue unless they can change minds with their play on the field.
In a recent list of NFL team’s wide receiver, tight end, and running back talent for the 2024 season, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell ranked Big Blue 29th in the league.
That is down from last year’s ranking (27th) but a notch above the No. 30 rating of 2022.
[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]
Barnwell notes the loss of star running back Saquon Barkley in free agency could be offset by the addition of top draft pick Malik Nabers, a wide receiver from LSU.
Barkley is talented but was often injured and Nabers will have to excel for this swap to work out for the Giants.
If Nabers is anything short of spectacular as a rookie, this won’t be a pretty offense. Devin Singletary had a decent 2023 season with the Texans, but it’s going to be much harder for him without C.J. Stroud and a devastatingly efficient passing attack. Darren Waller retired and wasn’t really replaced. I’ve always felt Darius Slayton was underrated and underappreciated as a deep threat, but he’s probably not an every-down receiver in better offenses. I don’t know why Allen Robinson is still in the league. Wan’Dale Robinson has been strictly a gadget guy over his first two seasons, and Jalin Hyatt’s offseason hype has revolved around knowing where to line up before the snap in Year 2.
Some clarity on this analysis. The Giants are backfilling the loss of Barkley with a committee approach at running back. Singletary is the top back in the rotation at the moment, but there are others (Eric Gray and rookie Tyrone Tracy), who the team are high on.
Nabers joins Hyatt and Robinson — both recent Day 2 draft picks — in an eclectic, but interesting trio of young talent at receiver. Of course, they have yet to hit the field and no one can predict how they will click.
Waller was replaced. The Giants anticipated his retirement by signing Chris Manhertz and Jack Stoll in free agency and then selecting Penn State’s Theo Johnson in the draft.
Manhertz and Stoll are basically backups but Johnson has the same physical dimensions as Waller and is an interesting add that could surprise as a rookie.
