NFL.com’s analyst and former scout Bucky Brooks listed his picks for the 10 most talented franchises heading into the 2016 season and the New York Giants were ranked 9th.
Brooks notes that “championship teams usually have around eight to 10 blue-chip players on the roster” and his rankings don’t take into consideration the rookies. Seeing as the Giants got 2-3 draft ‘steals’ with their 2016 selections, it’s possible the G-Men could end up higher at season’s end.
The Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, and Arizona Cardinals were the only NFC teams with more talented rosters than Big Blue. Of those four, the Giants will only play the Vikings during the regular season. The Dallas Cowboys were one place behind the Giants at #10. That essentially translates to the Giants have the troops to win the NFC East and host the Cardinals at MetLife in a Wild Card matchup.
With the First Pick
Here’s Bucky’s breakdown of the Giants roster:
"Blue chips: Eli Manning, QB; Odell Beckham Jr., WR; Damon Harrison, DT; Jason Pierre-Paul, DE; Olivier Vernon, DE; Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB; Janoris Jenkins, CB.Risers: Weston RichburgDespite all of the criticism general manager Jerry Reese has received for failing to add a host of premier players in recent drafts, the Giants sufficiently filled the voids on their roster through aggressive free-agent additions.The acquisitions of Harrison, Vernon and Jenkins immediately upgrade the playmaking potential of the defense. With Pierre-Paul poised to bounce back from a subpar season following his self-inflicted hand injury and Rodgers-Cromartie regarded as a premier cover corner, the Big Blue defense could return to the ranks of the elite this season.Offensively, the combination of Manning and Beckham strikes fear in the hearts of defensive coordinators around the NFL. If the Giants get any contributions from Victor Cruz and/or Sterling Shepard opposite OBJ, this offense will be a problem for opponents down the stretch."
I couldn’t agree with Brooks any harder. I strained my neck nodding my head. The most important facet of the game for the Giants in 2016 is health. Keep your top talent reasonably healthy and they’ll produce wins.
Next: Best Giants Rookies Of All-Time
Barring injury, this squad is capable of going 14-2 with homefield advantage through the playoffs. But, if the injury bug starts biting starters, I’m not sure the Giants have enough quality depth to endure and prevail.
Via NFL.com