The New York Giants struggled with injuries in 2019, especially in the wide receiver corps. Sterling Shepard suffered multiple concussions that put his career in jeopardy, Darius Slayton missed the first two games of the season due to injury, and Corey Coleman tore his ACL during training camp. Altogether, they missed 21 total games, putting rookie quarterback Daniel Jones in a tumultuous position.
Adding depth and talent to the unit is essential for the growth of the offense and Jones’ long-term success. Currently, they have a Shepard, Slayton, Coleman, and Golden Tate as their top four wide receivers.
They also brought in several undrafted free agents in Binjimen Victor, Austin Mack, and Derrick Dillon, to compete for special teams reps and a back end spot with the wide receivers. Coleman, who is coming off another significant injury, will be battling for a roster spot, so nothing is guaranteed.
Should the New York Giants take a flier on Demaryius Thomas?
It might even be beneficial to take a flyer on a free agent like Demaryius Thomas, who’s coming off a decent season with the New York Jets. This would allow him to stay local and simply switch New York teams. However, he did report that he prefers to join the Denver Broncos, where he has friends and a legacy waiting for him.
“I would love to be a Denver Bronco,” Thomas said on 104.3 The Fan on Wednesday, via Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. “That’s where I got drafted, that’s where I played well. … A lot of friends that consider me family are out there. I love Denver. But it had to go down the way it did. It is what it is. I’ll retire there one day.”
If the Broncos elect to pass on his services, Thomas would offer the Giants a reliable WR with high upside. He is three years removed from a 1083 yard campaign, including five touchdown receptions. In 2019, he posted 433 yards and one score over 58 targets. He can be serviceable in the passing game, having logged 84 yards against the Giants last year on a 66.7% catch-rate. His experience could be useful for players like Darius Slayton, and having a trustworthy number four pass-catcher would only benefit Jones.