The New York Giants are coming off of a 6-10 season. While the franchise is starting to trend upwards, this team still has a few areas that they need to address this offseason. From playmakers on offense to the final touches to an already promising defense, the New York Giants roster has five major positions of need if they really want to compete next season.
New York Giants Roster Needs
1. Wide Receiver
The Giants lack a playmaker on offense. Yes, they have Saquon Barkley, a dual-threat running back who can catch passes out the backfield or take a handoff and run 80 yards for a touchdown. There is only so much that one player can do however, and this team really needs a true number one wide receiver.
The one risk with trading away Odell Beckham Jr was leaving the wide receiver room without a top threat to change the game at any given time. After two seasons with a trio of Golden Tate, Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton, followed by a few names like Austin Mack and C.J. Board, this offense seriously needs some star power.
At the end of the season conference, both John Mara and Dave Gettleman made it clear that they need playmakers on offense to help Jones and the rest of the offense. Mara added that they will address this need both in free agency and the draft.
Top Wide Receiver Targets: Allen Robinson, Kenny Golladay, Chris Godwin, Corey Davis, Curtis Samuel, Ja’Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle
2. Cornerback
“Bradberry Island” became true after he has consistently locked up his side of the field all season long. However, on the opposite side of the field it seems that the Giants have had a revolving door of players try to fill that second cornerback spot.
Corey Ballentine, Ryan Lewis, Isaac Yiadom and Julian Love have all taken a shot at that spot, Love being the most successful after finally getting a chance in Week 17. While Love showed promise at his natural position, he will be used as both a safety and cornerback. His versatility is a plus for Patrick Graham, it’s like grooming a younger Logan Ryan, which Love says he wants to be.
The Giants desperately need to fill this cornerback spot because they cannot have one side of the field completely in shambles again. They saw first-hand what mediocre players at that spot are capable of, and it was not pretty.
Top Cornerback Targets: Patrick Peterson, Richard Sherman, Patrick Surtain, Jaycee Horn, Caleb Farley, Shaun Wade
3. EDGE
The Giants managed to total 40 sacks as a team in 2020, 12th-most in the league and four more than the previous year. While this is a plus, the Giants at time have struggled to generate any type of pressure. For example, against the Cleveland Browns, the Giants managed just ONE quarterback hit: a Dexter Lawrence sack. Watching the game, anyone could see that no one on the Giants were even moving the Browns offensive line. Gettleman seriously needs to put an effort into finding an EDGE rusher. While Graham has done a tremendous job of scheming a pass rush, that can only last for so long.
Top EDGE Targets: Bud Dupree, Shaquil Barrett, Yannick Ngakoue, Kwity Paye, Gregory Rosseau, Jaelan Phillips, Jayson Oweh
4. Linebacker Depth
The Giants found an absolute stud in Blake Martinez, and likely found solid pieces around him in Tae Crowder, Cam Brown and Carter Coughlin. However, the New York Giants roster needs better depth around these guys. Devante Downs was a massive disappointment, he simply cannot play linebacker at all. One could clearly see he does not understand who to cover on passing plays and defensive backs continuously trying to correct him. David Mayo is nothing special either, who the Giants extended last year.
Best Linebacker Targets: Avery Williamson, Denzel Perryman, Jarrad Davis, Micah Parsons, Azeez Ojulari, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
5. Tight End
A few Giants fans may still have faith in Evan Engram, along with some front office members, but this experiment is coming to an end quickly. Engram finally played in all 16 games but was a huge disappointment. His eight drops and six turnovers accounted for are inexcusable. While he may be on the team next season due to his fifth-year option, Engram could very well be out the door very soon, and it is time to bring in a real tight end who can actually catch the ball and block properly.
Top Tight End Targets: Hunter Henry, Rob Gronkowski, Kyle Pitts, Pat Freiermuth, Brevin Jordan
The Giants are trying to build off an improvement that they saw on the field in 2020. The offense lacks true playmakers and the defense could definitely use some help. Fill these holes and the Giants could find themselves competing by this time next year.
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