The New York Giants are coming off a successful 2016 season where they went 11-5 and finished second in the NFC East. They made the playoffs for the first time since 2011. They lost to the Green Bay Packers in the wild card round. The Giants success was largely due to their defense stepping up down the stretch and holding teams to an average of ten points per game. Below is the New York Giants 2016 fantasy football recap.
New York Giants 2016 Fantasy Football Recap
Quarterback
The Giants have had one of the best quarterback in the league for well over a decade in Eli Manning who have lead them too two Super Bowl championships. Manning is starting to get up there in age and he struggled at times in 2016. He threw for 4,027 yards with 26 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Manning finished the season with 218 fantasy points averaging 13.6 points per game. He finished the season as the 21st ranked quarterback in fantasy. Manning was a matchup play last season. He finished eight games with less than 14 fantasy points last season. Manning should be available in the later rounds of next season’s drafts. With the upgrade the Giants made in the off-season Manning could be a steal in next season’s drafts.
Running Back
The Giants used a split backfield last season with veteran Rashad Jennings and rookie Paul Perkins. Jennings was the lead back with 794 total yards and four touchdowns. He finished the season with 92 fantasy points and finished as the 33 ranked running back in fantasy. He averaged seven fantasy points per game when he played. Jennings was a boom or bust flex option for most of the season. He had seven games of five or fewer fantasy points. Jennings dealt with several injuries through the season and missed three games last season. Jennings was released in the off-season and is currently a free agent.
The other half of the Giants backfield was rookie Paul Perkins. Perkins had 618 total yards but failed to find the end zone. He totaled 51 fantasy points and finished the season as the 57th ranked running back. Perkins missed three games in the beginning of the season and didn’t get consistent touches until the end of the season. from weeks 14 through 17 he averaged 15 touches a game and averaged six and a half fantasy points per game. The Giants will most likely add a running back in free agency or the draft. As of now Jenkins is the lead back for the Giants and is worth a middle-round pick in next season’s draft.
Wide Receiver
The Giants have one of the youngest and talented receiving corps in the NFL. Their leading receiver is Odell Beckham Jr who is one of the elite receivers in the NFL and fantasy. Last season Beckham leads the Giants with 101 receptions for 1367 yards and 10 touchdowns. He finished as the fourth-ranked receiver in fantasy with 188 fantasy points. Beckham averaged 12 fantasy points per game last season and is worth a first round pick in next season’s drafts.
The next leading receiver for the Giants was rookie Sterling Shepard. Shepard had 65 receptions for 683 yards and eight touchdowns. He finished the season as the 34th ranked receiver with 114 fantasy points. while he did average seven fantasy points per game he was very touchdown dependent. In the games where he didn’t score a touchdown, he averaged two fantasy points per game. Shepherds value took a solid hit for next season when the Giants signed veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall in the off-season which will limit Shepherd production next season. With his talent, Shepherd is worth a late round pick in next season’s draft.
Tight End
The Giants did not get much production out of their tight end last season. The leading tight end for the Giants was Will Tye with 48 receptions for 395 yards and only one touchdown. Tye finished as the 35th ranked tight end with 39 total fantasy points. With the Giants having three solid wide receivers to feed next season Tye production will most likely be limited. Fantasy owners should look elsewhere for a tight end next season.
Kicker
The Giants had to replace their kicker mid-season last year as Josh Brown was suspended due to domestic violence. He was released by the Giants after he was suspended. The Giants signed veteran kicker Robbie Gould. Gould struggled throughout the season as he totaled 54 fantasy points averaging five points per game. Gould has left the giants and signed a two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers. He is worth keeping an eye on and makes a solid bye week fill in next season.
Defense
The Giants defense was one of the best last seasons in the NFL and fantasy. They finished as the fifth ranked defense in fantasy with 130 fantasy points. The defense averaged eight fantasy points per game last season. The Defense struggled in the beginning of the season with five games of one or fewer fantasy points. From week seven on the giants where solid averaging 11 fantasy points per game. They are a solid option for fantasy owners next season and are worth a late round draft pick.
The Giants had their most successful season in years in 2016. With a solid defense and offense, the Giants maybe have a chance at making a run next season. With the addition of veteran Brandon Marshall, the Giants could have one of the best passing attacks in the league. Manning could be a steal in drafts and finish in the top five at quarterback next season in fantasy.
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