New York Giants: 3 Early breakout candidates for 2019 season
The 2019 NFL season will be a year of transition for the New York Giants but these three players have the potential to break out in the midst of that.
This is a year of transition for the New York Giants. General manager Dave Gettleman traded superstar wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns and drafted the heir apparent to Eli Manning in quarterback Daniel Jones. Times are changing in East Rutherford.
That’s good, though. Let’s not forget that the G-Men have had five losing seasons in the last six years, including last year’s 5-11 debacle.
So which players have the potential to enjoy breakout seasons in 2019? Here are a trio of performers that have the ability and golden opportunity to take their game to the next level:
3. Evan Engram, TE: The Ole Miss product was bitten by the injury bug (hamstring) last season, limiting him to 11 games. The Giants still love his upside after he averaged a career-high 52.5 yards per contest last year. He just needs to stay healthy. The G-Men drafted him in the first round in 2017 to be an offensive weapon and this upcoming season presents a huge opportunity for him.
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Beckham is gone so Engram’s amount of targets should increase whether Eli Manning or Daniel Jones is tossing the pigskin. Engram tallied only three touchdowns in 2018 so he must become a better red zone target moving forward.
2. Sterling Shepard, WR: Entering his fourth NFL campaign, the 5-10, 203-pound Shepard has a great opportunity to produce his initial 1,000-yard receiving season. With Beckham on the Browns, Shepard is Big Blue’s top returning receiver. No doubt.
He is coming off career-highs in receptions (66) and receiving yards (872) last year. He got 107 targets in 2018 and that total should rise significantly this upcoming season. Shepard recorded just four touchdowns last year but look for him to break the 1,000-yard barrier this year with eight touchdowns.
1. Deandre Baker, CB: Baker was considered among the premier cornerbacks in this year’s NFL Draft so that’s why Big Blue made him a first round pick (30th overall). The Giants had one of the worst defenses in the league last year (ranked 23rd, allowing 25.8 points per game) and a total revamp was absolutely necessary.
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Although just 5-11, 193 pounds, has excellent ball skills and is a fierce competitor. He made 31 solo tackles for the Bulldogs in 2018 so he’s not afraid to face an opponent head on. Baker will line up on the left side, opposite Janoris “Jackrabbit” Jenkins to provide the G-Men with one of the better corner duos in the NFC East.