The New York Giants since the retirement of potentially future hall of fame quarterback Eli Manning in 2019 and even in the tail end of the Manning era have been mostly a shipwreck of a franchise. Since 2017 the Giants have had only one winning season, which was a 9-7-1 season where the team lost 38-7 in the playoffs. Since 2017 they have won six games or less in every other season except that one in 2022 which was the first season of the Brian Daboll era. The Giants recruited Daniel Jones to take over the QB1 spot after the retirement of Manning, and Jones after having an up and down tenure as the QB1 of the Giants franchise was traded in the middle of last season. Since Jones left the team in the middle of last season the Giants alternated between three players at the QB spot in Tommy DeVito, Drew Lock, and Tim Boyle. None of those three players are legitimate NFL starters at this point and the team still struggled with Jones at the helm and struggled even more-so when Jones left the team. The team has signed veteran quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston and have drafted rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart in the first round of this past year’s draft as well. It will be interesting to see who wins the starting job amongst those three players but regardless of who does, they will have their work cut out for them. The Giants were tied for the league’s worst record this past season going 3-14 and the roster is perhaps the weakest in the NFL and there are still question marks surrounding once head coach of the year Brian Daboll as well.
On the offensive side of the ball with four different quarterbacks starting for the team last season, the Giants indeed struggled. Their offensive ranks for the 2024 season can be found below.
Giants 2024 Key Offensive Metrics
30th in yards per game
31st in points per game
29th in overall offense grade according to Pro Football Focus
The New York Giants personnel on offense was perhaps the weakest in the NFL this past season and projects to be perhaps the weakest in the league heading into next season as well. I have provided a full breakdown of the Giants personnel on the offensive side of the ball below. In that evaluation I have included the offense grade that the player was assigned over the course of the 2024 season by Pro Football Focus. I have also included my own subjective grade that indicates how strong of players they are in totality outside of just the 2024 season. That subjective evaluation is based upon yearly statistical output and yearly subjective grades assigned to the player by Pro Football Focus.
New York Giants Starting Offensive Line
LT – Andrew Thomas – (24/87) offense grade in 2024 over 416 snaps, B+ to A-
LG – Jon Runyan – (64/83) offense grade in 2024 over 842 snaps, C+ to B-
C – Michael John Schwitz Jr – (30/43) offense grade in 2024 over 983 snaps, C to C+
RG – Greg Van Roten – (45/83) offense grade in 2024 over 1121 snaps, B to B-
RT – Jermaine Elueumunor – (57/87) offense grade in 2024 over 925 snaps, C+ to B-
New York Giants Reserve Offensive Lineman
T – James Hudson III – (77/87) offense grade in 2024 over 222 snaps for Browns, C to C-
G – Aaron Stinnie – (78/83) offense grade in 2024, C
C – Austin Schlottmann – DNP in 2024, C
T/G – Marcus Mbow – 2025 5th round pick
T – Stone Forsythe – (86/87) offense grade in 2024 over 414 snaps for Seahawks, C to C-
T – Joshua Ezeudo – (58/87) offense grade in 2024 over 182 snaps, C to C-
C – Jimmy Morrissey – DNP in 2024, D+ to C-
G/T – Evan Neal – (61/87) offense grade in 2024 over 459 snaps, C to C-
C – Bryan Hudson – 0 career snaps, undrafted
G – Jake Kubas – (75/83) offense grade in 2024 over 197 snaps, D+ as these are only career snaps
Giants Offensive Lineman from 2024 not currently or no longer on team
T – Chris Hubbard – (81/87) offense grade in 2024 over 257 snaps, C to C+, currently free agent
T – Tyre Phillips – (72/87) offense grade in 2024 over 53 snaps, D+ to C-, currently free agent
Giants 2024 Key Offensive Line Metrics
28th in pass blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus
23rd in run blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus
30th in pass blocking efficiency according to Pro Football Focus
22nd in sacks allowed
As you can see from the above sets of data, in particular the last one, the Giants had a very weak offensive line this past season. New York has not upgraded their personnel on the offensive front this offseason in a notable fashion as the five starters from a season ago project to be the five starters heading into next season as well. However, center John Michael Schwitz Jr who was a second-round pick in the 2023 draft who had a poor rookie season improved upon that in year 2 this past season. In year 1 Schwitz Jr was graded (40/40) in terms of an offense grade according to Pro Football Focus and improved upon that mark this past season ranking (30/43) in that department in 2024. Schwitz Jr was very effective as a run blocker in 2024 ranking (18/44) in terms of run blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus. Perhaps as Schwitz Jr goes into year 3 in the NFL with the Giants offensive line coach also going into his second season on the job, Schmitz Jr can come into his own. Right guard Greg Van Roten was typically very productive before the 2024 season but relatively struggled compared to his previous play this past season. Before the 2024 season Van Roten graded as above average to well above average in terms of an overall offense grade according to Pro Football Focus in every season except his first season and an injury riddled 2022 campaign. Van Roten however was graded as below average this past season in terms of an offense grade although just slightly so. The poor offensive circumstances of the Giants this past season, him being in the first season with the team, and the Giants offensive line coach being in his first season in the position perhaps all contributed to the drop off in his play. Now all of the above will likely change/improve heading into next season and Van Roten can certainly recapture strong form. Starting left tackle Andrew Thomas is among the better if not among the best starting left tackles in the sport. If the two aforementioned players can really improve for certain reasons I have gone over, then the Giants will have a very strong starting trio of offensive lineman. The remaining starting spots at left guard with Jon Runyan and right tackle with Jermaine Elueumunor are currently filled with solid but not spectacular NFL starters as well. The Giants with their offensive line coach going into year 2 and with the potential improvement of some players on the offensive line can certainly field a solid offensive line next season. I have conducted a similar analysis of the New York Giants key skill position players as well heading into next season.
New York Giants Skill Position Players
HB – Tyrone Tracy Jr – (53/58) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games, C- so far as 2024 5th rounder
HB – Devin Singletary – (44/58) offense grade in 2024 in 15 games, C to C+
HB – Cam Skattebo – 2025 4th rounder
HB – Eric Gray – (58/58) offense grade in 2024 in 14 games, D-
HB – Dante Miller – 0 career snaps, undrafted
WR – Malik Nabers – (9/110) offense grade in 2024 in 15 games, A so far as 2024 first rounder
WR – Wandale Robinson – (79/110) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games, C to C+
WR – Darius Slayton – (98/110) offense grade in 2024 in 16 games, C to C+
WR – Jalin Hyatt – (110/110) offense grade in 2024 in 16 games, D+ to C-
WR – Lil Jordan Humphrey – (104/110) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games for Denver, C to C-
WR – Zach Pascal – (110/110) offense grade in 2024 in 9 games for Arizona, C
WR – Ihmir Smith-Marsette – 0 receptions in 2024, D+ to C-
WR – Bryce Ford-Wheaton – 0 career receptions
WR – Montrell Washington – 4 career receptions
TE – Theo Johnson – (44/45) offense grade in 2024 in 12 games, D to D+ so far as ’24 4th rounder
TE – Daniel Bellinger – (40/45) offense grade in 2024 in 15 games, C to C-
TE – Chris Manhertz – never more than 6 receptions in a season
TE – Greg Dulcich – (45/45) offense grade in 2024 in 8 games, C
New York Giants Skill Position Players from 2024 not currently or no longer on team
WR – Isaiah Hodgins – (106/110) offense grade in 2024 in 3 games, C+, now on SF
As you can see from the above sets of data the Giants from a skill position standpoint lacked in talent this past season and a lack of talent will likely haunt them heading into next year as well. Wide out Malik Nabers, who was the 6th overall pick in the 2024 draft, had one of the more remarkable rookie wide out seasons ever. Nabers projects to be a superstar at the position for years to come but the remaining skill players surrounding him are in the discussion for being the weakest in the NFL. Wide receiver Wandale Robinson, who was a second-round pick in the 2022 draft has had a hit and miss NFL career thus far. In his rookie season in 2022 he graded (36/103) among qualified wide outs in terms of an overall offense grade albeit appearing in just six games. His play dropped off the following two seasons but was still respectable grading (67/102) and (79/110) in terms of an offense grade each of the past two seasons while only missing two games. Perhaps with better offensive circumstances he can build off his successful rookie campaign as such a high draft pick. Similar logic applies to 2023 third round pick wide receiver Jalin Hyatt as well who had a respectable rookie season but played a very limited role last season for the team. Perhaps as Hyatt goes into year 3 as a relatively high draft pick, he can come into his own for New York. Out of the backfield a season ago the team was not in good shape as they did not have a capable #1 back and questions are to be asked if they even had a legitimate #2 back. The team is optimistic however that 2024 5th rounder Tyrone Tracy can come into his own heading into year 2 and/or Devin Singletary/their 2025 draftee at running back can give the team solid production out of the backfield. The Giants’ tight end spot is arguably the weakest in the league as well as they do not have an NFL caliber starter as of now at the position nor a high-end backup. Perhaps 2024 4th round rookie Theo Johnson who struggled in his first season can give the team solid production at the position.
Overall, on the offensive side of the ball the New York Giants were amongst the weakest teams in the league a season ago. Their QB spot was amongst the most insecure and least desirable in the NFL. Their offensive personnel outside of star tackle Andrew Thomas, who missed more than half of the season, and star wide out Malik Nabers, was likely the worst in the NFL. Offensive minded head coach Brian Daboll who was once the coach of the year has been brought into question as well. Heading into next season there is reason for optimism in that Andew Thomas and Malik Nabers each rank among the elite players at their respective positions on offense. Andrew Thomas will likely stay healthier for the team as well. The team is optimistic they can see improvement from a few offensive lineman in particular on the interior of the offensive front. The team is also optimistic that it can see improvement from young skill position players outside of Malik Nabers. Finally, the QB spot can potentially be stabilized by the presence of veteran players such as Russell Wilson or Jameis Winston. Perhaps 2025 first round pick Jaxson Dart can be a breakout player for the Giants next season at QB as well. The Giants will likely struggle offensively next season but only have room to go up. Offensive minded head coach Brian Daboll still won coach of the year in his first season with the Giants and is perhaps the primary individual responsible for refining Bills QB Josh Allen into the superstar he now is. Russell Wilson not that long ago was in the same breath as Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson and still is not close to 40, perhaps with the right coach in Daboll, he can recapture some of his prime form. Jaxson Dart from a playmaking and improvisational standpoint as a QB mirrors Josh Allen in large part who Daboll brought into his own as well.
On the defensive side of the ball the Giants struggled as well this past season although there were some bright spots and they have added some key pieces headed into next season. I have included the team’s major defensive metrics from this past season below. As you can see from the data below the Giants were a below average defensive team this past season but not horrendous by any stretch. If the offense put them in better spots to succeed, they certainly could’ve been solid in each of the metrics below. Hopefully for their sake next season with some key defensive additions, improved offensive play, and with their defensive coordinator going into year 2 in the position, the team can be solid defensively next season.
New York Giants 2024 Major Defensive Metrics
21st in points per game allowed
24th in yards per game allowed
20th in overall defense grade according to Pro Football Focus
I have conducted an evaluation of the personnel on the defensive side of the ball for New York which can be found below similar to what I did for the offense of the team.
New York Giants Starting Front Seven
ED – Rakeem Nunez-Roches – (121/146) defense grade in 2024 over 608 snaps, C to C+
NT – Dexter Lawrence II – (2/146) defense grade in 2024 over 551 snaps, A to A+
ED – Chauncey Golston – (59/135) defense grade in 2024 over 790 snaps for Dallas, C+ to B-
LB – Brian Burns – (19/135) defense grade in 2024 over 865 snaps, B
LB – Bobby Okereke – (16/92) defense grade in 2024 over 734 snaps, B+
LB – Micah McFadden – (52/92) defense grade in 2024 over 668 snaps, C
LB – Abdul Carter – 2025 first round pick, 4th overall
New York Giants Front Seven Reserves
DL – Darius Alexander – 2025 3rd rounder
NT – Jordon Riley – poor in limited snaps in 2024, D-
DL – Elijah Chatman – (64/146) defense grade in 2024 over 423 snaps, B- so far as 2024 UDFA
ED – Tomon Fox – (54/146) defense grade in 2024 over 207 snaps, C+
LB – Darius Muasau – (73/92) defense grade in 2024 over 435 snaps, C so far 2024 6th rounder
LB – Chris Board – (17/92) defense grade in 2024 over 167 snaps for Ravens, C to C+
LB – Kayvon Thibodeaux – (43/135) defense grade in 2024 over 593 snaps, B to B-
DL – Jeremiah Ledbetter – (52/146) defense grade in 2024 over 441 snaps for Jaguars, C+
DL – Timmy Horne – poor in very limited snaps in 2024 for ATL and NYG, D-
DL – Roy Roberstson-Harris – (99/146) defense grade in 2024 over 398 snap for Jax and Sea, B-
ED – Victor Dimukeje – (26/135) defense grade in 2024 over 157 snaps for Arizona, B-
LB – Demetrius Flanigan-Fowles – (92/92) defense grade in 2024 over 151 snaps for 49ers, C to C+
LB – Ty Summers – (50/92) defense grade in 2024 over 113 snaps, C
DL – D.J Davidson – (90/92) defense grade in 2024 over 261 snaps, D
DL – Cory Durden – poor in very limited snaps in 2024, D
DL – Elijah Garcia – (38/146) defense grade in 2024 over 143 snaps, B to in very limited career snaps
LB – Dyontae Johnson – poor in 37 career snaps, UDFA
LB – Matthew Adams – only 2 snaps in 2024, C to C+
LB – Casey Rogers – poor in 33 career snaps, UDFA 2024
DL – Armon Watts – (66/146) defense grade in 2024 over 87 snaps, C+ to B-
New York Giants Front Seven Personnel from 2024 not currently or no longer on team
LB – Isaiah Simmons – (87/92) defense grade in 2024 over 181 snaps, C+ to B-, now on GB
ED – Azeez Ojulari – (100/135) defense grade in 2024 over 391 snaps, C, now on Phi
ED – Patrick Johnson – (128/135) defense grade in 2024 over 47 snaps, C to C+, now on Phi
ED – Benton Whitley – 16 career snaps, now on Arz
ED – Boogie Basham – (30/135) defense grade in 2024 over 86 snaps, C+, now on Car
Giants Key Front Seven Metrics from 2024
6th in pass rush grade according to Pro Football Focus
22nd in run defense grade according to Pro Football Focus
9th in sacks accumulated
27th in rush yards per game allowed
As you can see from the above the Giants actually had a pretty solid front seven this past season and projects to have perhaps an even better one heading into next season. The Giants rushed the passer at a top 5-10 rate this past season ranking 6th in pass rush grade and 9th in sacks. The team struggled defending the run however and if they can improve in that aspect, they will be a very formidable front seven next season if they were not already one. Interior defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence along with Chiefs standout Chris Jones are perhaps the two premier interior defensive lineman in the sport. Lawrence was graded second in terms of a defense grade among qualified interior defensive linemen this past season and was graded first in that same department the previous two seasons. The Giants have several other players capable of producing at a solid level if not more than that for New York in the front seven. In particular the Giants have drafted edge rusher Abdul Carter 4th overall in this past season’s draft and are optimistic that he along with Lawrence can form one of the premier if not the premier pass rushing tandem in the NFL for years to come. I have conducted a similar evaluation of the team’s secondary which can be found below.
Giants Starting Secondary
CB – Paulson Adebo – (70/128) defense grade in 2024 over 143 snaps for Saints, C+ to B-
S – Tyler Nubin – (45/104) defense grade in 2024 over 789 snaps, B to B- so far as ’24 2nd rounder
S- Jevon Holland – (58/104) defense grade in 2024 over 854 snaps for Miami, B+ to A-
CB – Deonte Banks – (116/128) defense grade in 2024 over 788 snaps, C to C-, ’23 1st rounder
CB – Andru Phillips – (7/128) defense grade in 2024 over 614 snaps, A so far as ’24 3rd rounder
Giants Reserve Secondary
CB – Cordale Flott – (73/128) defense grade in 2024 over 666 snaps, C to C+
SS – Dane Belton – (58/104) defense grade in 2024 over 460 snaps, C
FS – Anthony Johnson Jr – (37/104) defense grade in 2024 over 21 snaps, C+
CB – Art Green – (120/128) defense grade in 2024 over 47 snaps, D
NB – Greg Stroman Jr – (70/128) defense grade in 2024 over 130 snaps, C+ to B-
CB – Tre Hawkins – (7/128) defense grade in 2024 over 82 snaps, B to B-
SS – Jonathan Sutherland – 0 career snaps, UDFA
FS – Raheem Layne – (36/104) defense grade in 2024 over 22 snaps, C+ to B-
CB- Dee Williams – 4 career snaps
CB – Divaad Wilson – (99/128) defense grade in 2024 over 26 snaps, D+
CB – Korie Black – 2025 7th rounder
Giants Secondary Players from 2024 not currently or no longer on team
CB – Duke Shelley – only 14 snaps in 2024, C+, currently free agent
S – Jason Pinnock – (85/104) defense grade in 2024 over 976 snaps, C to C+, now on SF
CB – Adoree Jackson – (41/128) defense grade in 2024 over 426 snaps, B, now on Phi
CB – Nick McCloud – (115/128) defense grade in 2024 over 224 snaps, now on Chi
Giants 2024 Key Secondary Metrics
8th in passing yards per game allowed
28th in coverage grade according to Pro Football Focus
As you can see from the above data the Giants have some talent in their secondary and were at least respectable on the backend ranking 8th in passing yards per game allowed despite grading as the 28th best coverage team in the NFL. 2024 third rounder Andru Phillips had an outstanding rookie season ranking among the best corners in the NFL and he will be a cornerstone of the Giants secondary for years to come. 2023 first rounder Deonte Banks has struggled in his first two seasons in the NFL but New York is optimistic that he can come into his own heading into year 3. Tyler Nubin was selected in the 2nd round of the 2024 draft and had a strong rookie season and will be in line to improve upon it heading into next year. The team has acquired two players to bolster their backend this offseason who are both currently listed as starters on the Giants depth chart. Paulson Adebo from the Saints and Jevon Holland from the Miami Dolphins. Paulson Adebo is erratic but has shown a very high ceiling in the NFL and the Giants are optimistic he can be more consistent. Jevon Holland is also inconsistent but has shown an elite ceiling as well. The Giants could be very formidable on the backend next season if some of the young players continue to improve and the newly acquired veterans become more consistent as well.
In totality the Giants were a slightly below average defensive team this past season in all the major metrics. They can certainly be a solid defensive team next season with some of the new major additions such as Abdul Carter and Jevon Holland. Their defensive coordinator is also going into year 2 in the position and the offense will likely be better next season, putting the defense in better positions to succeed.
The New York Giants were tied for the league’s worst record this past season and after conducting an evaluation of the team I can certainly see why. The offensive personnel outside of two players was the weakest in the league, they had amongst the most unstable and ineffective QB positions, and the defense was average at best. Heading into next year they have brought on a few veteran QBs in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston and have also drafted a young QB in the first round in Jaxson Dart. They still have the aforementioned elite two players on the offensive side of the ball at left tackle and wide out named Andrew Thomas and Malik Nabers. They are optimistic that they can see improvement from some players on the offensive side of the ball outside of Thomas and Nabers as well. Brian Daboll won coach of the year honors in his first season with the Giants but the team under his watch has really disappointed in the past couple of seasons since, although the front office has not given him much to work with. The defense has lots of potential, especially with the defensive coordinator going into his second season on the job to go along with splash acquisitions such as Abdul Carter and Jevon Holland as well. However, it is still too young and flawed at this point in time to be anything more than just a solid but not spectacular unit. Every team in the NFL, even if they finished near the bottom of the standings, has many redeeming qualities to them and can beat anyone on any given Sunday in the NFL which is what makes the league so great. Although the Giants have many redeeming qualities and strong points as a team, relatively speaking still project to be bottom a 3-4 team in the NFL just like they were a season ago. In an offensive league they still have amongst the league’s weakest offensive personnel groupings at this point in time and also have amongst the league’s most unstable QB spots as of now as well. Brian Daboll as an offensive minded head coach although he has proven to be capable winning coach of the year in his first season with New York, still has many question marks associated with him given the team’s poor play the past few seasons. On the defensive side of the ball the team will likely be a solid to a good unit but likely nothing more than that next season. A below average to a well below average offensive team with a solid but not spectacular defense projects to be a 5 win or less team that is amongst the 3-4 weakest teams in the NFL just as they were a season ago. Next season will likely be the year for the Giants to see if Brian Daboll is the future of the organization as the head coach and will also be the year to begin deciphering whether or not Jaxson Dart is the future face of the franchise at the QB spot.
