Unhinged Roundtable: Giants Season Preview

The Giants kick off the 2021 season at home against the Broncos, but after such a great offseason what should we expect this season?

The day has finally arrived, Giants football has finally returned. The Giants take on the Broncos at 4:25PM today. The Giants are a bit of a mystery team this season and the season could go one of many way. Aaron Gershon and Brandon Kramer are here to preview the Giants season.

Offseason:

Aaron:

The Giants added a much-needed top receiver in Kenny Golladay, drafted a receiver with game-changing speed in Kadarius Toney and added a legitimate starting corner in Adoree Jackson to complement James Bradberry, who emerged as a top 10 corner in football last season.

Brandon:

Throughout the season it was clear the Giants needed more weapons on offense and they lacked a big receiver and getting Kenny Golladay was something they needed to do. Golladay is not only a great downfield playmaker, but he is a huge redzone target at 6’5. They also lacked true playmaking speed at the same position and Kadarius Toney can do special things with the ball in his hands. The offense finally looks like a force, but it all comes down to one thing. Daniel Jones.

Daniel Jones:

Aaron:

Despite all this, some important questions still loom. Can Daniel Jones finally take step and be the quarterback the team needs him to be to take them to the postseason? He will need to do a far better job protecting the ball, hitting his throws and staying healthy to be that guy.

Brandon:

This is the year that will determine if the Giants use one of their two first round picks on a QB next draft. You can’t make the excuse anymore that Jones doesn’t have weapons this year as he has one of the best recivering cores the Giants have had in a while. Barkley is also returning, so it is up to Jones to take that next step. Most importantly he needs to learn to hold onto the ball.

Offensive Line:

Aaron:

Did the Giants do enough to sure up their offensive line? Seemingly since their Super Bowl 46 title a decade ago, New York has struggled to protect their quarterback. This has been despite big-name free agent signings, first round draft picks of offensive linemen and numerous personal changes. This offseason, the Giants did not make a free agent offensive line splash nor did they draft any offensive lineman. Thus, they’ll be banking on their young talent and a veteran Nate Solder, who so far has been a failed big money investment.

Brandon:

The O-Line is the biggest question mark coming into the season. Andrew Thomas showed flashes of being a solid tackle but compared to the tackles taken after him, he was the worst out of the four. Thomas needs to play the way he played when the Giants won four straight in the middle of the year. The biggest concern has to be the other side of the line as the lack of moves has resulted in Nate Solder being this years right tackle. All these new weapons on offense are great but won’t matter if Jones has no time in the pocket.

Saquon Barkley:

Aaron:

Finally, is running back Saquon Barkley truly healthy? After suffering a torn ACL Week 2 of last season, Barkley has yet to see any game reps as he did not play in the preseason and did not start taking any contact in practice until last week. If he’s back to his normal self, the Giants have one of the games most dangerous players; if not the running game is going to suffer mightily.

Brandon:

The Giants need to hope Barkley is his normal self as he will make the offense that much more deadly even when he doesn’t have the ball in his hand. What made the Giants so good during their four game win streak last season was their run game, it set up the pass game and left the other team not knowing what they would run. The other team’s defense couldn’t just sell out for pass and if the Giants can establish the running game again with Barkley, then it will truly set up a dangerous air attack.