The New York Giants making the playoffs in 2019 after a 5-11 campaign last season seems like a tall task, but the reality is, it’s not impossible, and it’s actually more probable than one might think.
The Giants continued on their youth agenda this year, choosing to trade Odell Beckham Jr. in favor of draft picks to help secure multiple positions of need. Drafting interior defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence to hold down the trenches and acquiring safety Jabrill Peppers to play a diverse role in the secondary will help improve the team.
The bolstering of the offensive line will also prove to pay dividends for Eli Manning in the pocket and Saquon Barkley in the run game. In fact, this might be the most impactful factor of all in the season ahead. More time for Manning to operate in the pocket and move through his progressions could be exactly what the doctor ordered, as we’ve seen him falter at the hands of opposing pass-rushers in recent years.
Let’s rank the 5 most impactful improvements this offseason for the New York Giants:
1.) Offensive line
2.) Cornerbacks
3.) Safeties
4.) Added experience for youth
5.) Special teams improvement
More time, better coverage in the secondary, less of a deep ball threat from opposing offenses, NFL experience for 2018 draft picks, and a further improvement of the special teams.
These are all of the factors that must play a part in the growth of the team — determining the outcome of the 2019 season and if the playoffs are really a possibility. The deficiencies are still present, however, in some aspects.
CHECK OUT THE ESM STORE FOR AWESOME DESIGNS!Â
The pass-rushers and defensive line are unproven and still young. They will need this upcoming season to progress and develop a sense of chemistry with one another. Lawrence will be a primary cog in the defense this year — they’re expecting him to be a force as a pass rusher as well as a run stopper, but his low sack totals last season don’t indicate his proficiency in this area.
I expect it will take him a bit of time to elevate his effectiveness when it comes to rushing the passer, but his influence will be beneficial and improve the defensive front. As a whole, I do believe this team is better than the one from last season, but I don’t think they’re a playoff-caliber team just yet.
My prediction is a 7-9 or 8-8 record, missing the playoffs but showing heart and resilience against tougher competition.
The secondary will be flawed at times as DeAndre Baker learns his role and adapts to NFL-level competition. The wide receivers are still in flux and the No. 3 option hasn’t shaken out yet. Golden Tate and Sterling Shepard will both be interchangeable as the top pass-catcher, but losing Beckham hurts the offense as a whole.
It will be interesting to see how the team compensates for the loss of their best player (arguably) and how they respond to his loss of production.