Addressing several positions on both sides of the ball is hard enough in one offseason, but plugging in serviceable players at high salary-cap positions is a much more difficult task. General manager Dave Gettleman managed to do just that for the New York Giants, as he begins to upgrade the team as a whole.
One major factor that resulted in the Giants falling to a 3-13 record in 2017 was the lack of balance on offense. Despite the fact that several injuries severely strained the potential of the unit, there was a lack of talent and experience at several positions. Wide receiver was the only position that had any sort of quality, yet still managed to struggle early in the season.
One might think having Odell Beckham Jr. is all it takes to have a high octane offense, but that’s far from the case. Keeping the defense on their heels and forcing them to be honest requires multiple aspects of the offense to be more than capable. Gettleman made those arrangements, drafting Saquon Barkley and signing several offensive lineman to achieve one thing… balance.
Barkley brings an unparalleled athleticism to the field to coincide with Beckham, Sterling Shepard, and Evan Engram. That provides the Giants’ offense with premier talent at wide receiver, tight end, and running back – three positions that are essential to the success of any offense.
Engram will be looking to take his talents to a new height for the New York Giants in 2018:
Is #Giants TE @EvanEngram due for a 2nd-year breakout? ?
In 2016, Engram led all college TEs in Yards Per Route Run (2.59). pic.twitter.com/2lIhPx5HdR
— PFF NY Giants (@PFF_Giants) July 7, 2018
Engram will look to build upon his rookie season with a second-year breakout. In 2017, he dropped eight balls which was a concern, but not devastating considering the role he played after the significant injuries forced Beckham and Brandon Marshall out for the remainder of the season. Adding Barkley will open up the seam for the starlet tight end and allow him to pry open the defense like a freshly cooked lobster. His stats at Ole Miss don’t represent the quality he provided last season, but we should expect to see a major improvement in the months ahead.
Ultimately, quarterback Eli Manning will be the head of the offense – dictating the plays and ensuring that his weapons are utilized properly. He is the glue that keeps the unit together and provides the balance in which success will be fostered.