While some might rank the New York Giants’ defense at the bottom of the barrel, they have several players that constitute as playmakers. Ranging from Jabrill Peppers to Leonard Williams, you might think of the more pricey options and athletic players as the team’s best. However, the underrated players also make a significant impact, and on both sides of the ball, the Giants have a few guys who fly under the radar in production and efficiency.
Here are two New York Giants players that are criminally underrated:
1.) Dalvin Tomlinson
Tomlinson is one of the most exciting players for the Giants, but you might not see it on an everyday basis. He’s aggressive in the trenches and stops the run at an extremely high level.
Having increased his production over three seasons in the NFL, Tomlinson has never missed a game. In 2019, he racked up 3.5 sacks, 49 combined tackles, and nine quarterback hits. Some might say he is more influential than Leonard Williams, who the Giants hit with the franchise tag this off-season. Lining him up over center is where he dominates, utilizing his strong hands and arm extensions to push centers into the backfield. Tomlinson wreaks havoc at the line of scrimmage.
Tomlinson has only gotten better with technique and fundamentals over time. In addition, he is fantastic at drawing double teams. He rarely gets pushed off balance and holds his ground well, drawing in multiple blocks which opens up opportunities for pass rushers. He’s extremely efficient in the 3-technique. Of course, there are plenty of negatives to his game, but the positives outweigh them by a fair margin. He is easily one of the most underrated players on the Giants and deserves an extension come next season.
2.) Sterling Shepard
If not for concussions in 2019, Sterling Shepard might’ve been the Giants’ top wide receiver. He only played in 10 games, totaling 576 yards and three scores. He was on pace for 922 yards and five touchdowns, which would have been his highest yardage total in his career and second-highest touchdown total.
Injuries have been a constant trend for the Giants, who have battled and fought with reserve players nonetheless. The constant rotation of coaches in a rebuild has set the team back even further. Shepard has always been a consistent threat from the slot and can play on the outside. He has played two full seasons in the NFL, coming in 2016 and 2018. If he can remain healthy at 27 years old this season, he could easily be the Giants’ top pass catcher.
Ultimately, a lack of consistency on offense, a poor offensive line that affected quarterback play, has held back his potential.
With an improved line and Daniel Jones taking a step forward in 2020, so we hope, Shepard could have a career year. He’s also criminally underrated in the red zone, hauling in eight touchdowns in his rookie campaign. The Giants must look to him more frequently in that portion of the field.