New York Giants GM Dave Gettleman was under a lot of fire for his decisions this past offseason. He pulled off multiple trades, one that included sending one of the elite receivers in the game to Cleveland, Odell Beckham Jr. He then drafted Quarterback Daniel Jones with the No. 6 pick, a player who many felt wasn’t even worth a first-round pick. He used a second first-round pick, that he acquired from Cleveland in the Beckham trade, on Defensive Tackle Dexter Lawerence, another pick many called a reach. On top of this, he failed to resign All-Pro Safety Landon Collins to a contract extension. From a distance, it looked as though Gettleman had gotten rid of all the talent the Giants had for nothing. But with the first four weeks of the regular season, perhaps Gettleman made all the right decisions? His choices have looked smarter by the week thus far.
Why Dave Gettleman is Looking Smarter by the Week:
The success of the rookies
When the Giants chose Daniel Jones at No. 6, everyone doubted Gettleman. The media felt not only did he reach for a player, but he chose the wrong QB altogether. Sunday proved he made the right choice. In a matchup between Jones and the No. 15 overall pick, QB Dwayne Haskins, it was evident Jones is already thriving.
While it was Haskins’ first time seeing play-time in the NFL, he looked lost. He completed just 52.9% of his passes for 107 yards and threw three interceptions. Jones, on the other hand, proved his success at Tampa Bay wasn’t a fluke. Through two weeks of the season, Jones has completed 69.0% of his passes for 578 yards and five total scores. He already is a force to be reckoned with.
No. 17 overall pick Dexter Lawerence has shined as well. Through four games, he has applied consistent pressure to the Quarterback and has tallied one sack. He has shown every sign that he is on his way to becoming one of the elite Defensive Tackles in the NFL.
The average play of Odell Beckham Jr. and Landon Collins
Through four games, Beckham Jr. has looked rather underwhelming for Cleveland. Besides one big game against the Jets, Beckham has struggled to find his rhythm with his new team. He has compiled 21 catches for 308 yards and a score thus far. While these numbers certainly aren’t bad, they’re nothing to gloat about. Giants Tight End Evan Engram has recorded more catches, yards, and touchdowns than Beckham on the exact same number of targets (37).
The Washington Redskins made Landon Collins the highest-paid Safety in NFL history. Through the first four games of the season, it looks as though Washington might’ve overpaid for him. He has recorded 36 tackles, good enough for tenth in the league. He is yet to record an interception, sack a QB, or force a fumble, however. Collins’ replacement, Jabrill Peppers, has played excellent thus far. Against Washington on Sunday, he had two passes defended and a pick-six. He was a much cheaper option and has outplayed Collins to this point in the season.
Perhaps Gettleman did indeed make all of the right decisions. The players he brought in have shined, while the players he let leave have underperformed. Respect goes to the Giants GM who looked like a mad-man just a few months ago.