New York Giants: Offense has a chance to be elite
The New York Giants commence their 2018 campaign against Jacksonville in Week 1. Big Blue has an opportunity to become one of the elite offenses in the NFL.
The New York Giants are gearing up for their 2018 season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. They would like nothing more than to wash away the memory of last year’s 3-13 debacle as quickly as possible. Big Blue faces a stern test going against one of the best, if not the best, defensive squads in the entire NFL. The Jags are that good. They should have been in the Super Bowl last year.
With that being said, the G-Men have a real viable chance to make the NFC playoffs in 2018. Why? If they can stay relatively healthy, New York can quickly evolve into one of the elite offensive attacks in the entire NFL.
Forget about last season. That was an anomaly. The Giants ranked next to last in points per game average (15.4). Only the winless Cleveland Browns were worse. Odell Beckham, Jr. played just four games due to injury; the offensive line was a mess; their ground game was a disaster (ranking 26th in the league with 96.8 R YDS/G).
Mix in that head coach Ben McAdoo looked totally clueless and over his head and it’s not hard to see why Big Blue suffered through their worst campaign since 1983 (3-12-1).
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A new season brings renewed hope and optimism. Here are four reasons why the G-Men can become a top-five offense in 2018:
Saquon Barkley: The Penn State product was widely considered to be the premier player in this year’s NFL Draft and General Manager Dave Gettleman pounced on him with the number two overall selection. The 5-11, 233-pounder brings a combination of breakaway speed, power and superior athleticism to the table.
He’s adept at running inside or outside the tackles and is an excellent receiver out of the backfield. The Bronx, NY native will be this season’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Mark it down.
The return to health of Odell Beckham Jr.: When healthy, OBJ is probably the most dynamic, explosive wide receiver in the NFL, with all apologies to Julio Jones. He is a difference maker, a three-time Pro Bowl player that can break open a game at any time.
Defensive coordinators get headaches game-planning for him. They know a simple slant pattern can turn into an 80-yard touchdown reception due to his breathtaking speed. The LSU product averaged 96 catches, 1,374 yards and 12 touchdowns during the first three years of his NFL career. Beckham can win games all by himself. He’s a unique talent.
The continued development of tight end Evan Engram: The 6-3, 240-pounder is not going to remind anyone of John Mackey as a blocker, but that is not why New York drafted him 23rd overall in 2017. The Giants selected him because he is like another wide receiver on the field with good hands, speed and excellent route running ability.
Engram enjoyed a very productive rookie season, leading Big Blue in receptions (64) and touchdown receptions (6). He also ranked second in receiving yards (722). Engram is a bonafide red zone threat as well. Defenses won’t be able to key on him with weapons like Barkley, Beckham and Sterling Shepard around.
An improved offensive line: Let’s face it, the Giants had a terrible offensive line last year. One of the worst in the league. Gettleman knew that if the G-Men were to sustain any success moving forward, he’d need to rebuild this vital element. He took a big step in that direction by inking Nate Solder, the top left tackle on the free agent market, to a four-year, $62 million contract in March.
Solder can protect Eli Manning’s blind side and should give the veteran signal-caller more time to throw from the pocket. Gettleman parlayed the Solder signing by drafting left guard Will Hernandez, a road grader from UTEP, with the 34th overall pick in this year’s draft.
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He looks like a future Pro Bowler. Ereck Flowers appears more comfortable at right tackle and Big Blue expects steady play from center Jon Halapio and right guard Patrick Omameh. This unit should be take a big step forward this year.
Now all the Giants need is good health. And a little luck. If they can stay away from the MRI machine, the Big Blue offense of 2018 should catapult into one of the premier units in the NFL this season.