The New York Giants improved but ultimately couldn’t make a splash in the league as a whole in 2020, and ESPN doesn’t predict the situation improving much in 2021. In their early 2021 power rankings for every team, ESPN placed the Giants at number 25 overall. While that isn’t as low as the Giants have been at the worst points in their rebuilding, many will be hoping for more improvement than that.
2020 record: 6-10
Offseason in three or fewer words: Find some playmakers
Wide receiver. Tight end. Edge rusher. Cornerback. The Giants need help at all those premium positions, whether it be in free agency or the draft. Owner John Mara and general manager Dave Gettleman even admitted after the season they needed to find “playmakers” this offseason. Let the hunt begin. — Jordan Raanan
The Giants might be able to improve in the eyes of the rest of the league if they can do what the article suggests and find playmakers. The rankings are based on the current talent on the team after all, and the Giants suffered last year from poor offensive schemes and a lack of separation from receivers.
They still nearly made the playoffs, which shows they could be a contender in the NFC East with better weapons. The draft could be a chance for that, as wide receiver and tight end are two of the main positions mocked to the Giants at number eleven.
Either way, the prediction looks a bit low for the Giants but is ultimately somewhat understandable. The Giants have underperformed a lot over the past two years and have tended to start the season below expectations. Last season, they were able to turn that around a bit and compete to the end.
Hopefully, such a turnaround isn’t needed in 2021.