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The New York Giants Need To Get Rookie TE Jerell Adams More Snaps

By Christopher Schwarz

Oct 9, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Giants tight end Jerell Adams (89) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Giants tight end Jerell Adams (89) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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The production from the New York Giants’ tight ends has been underwhelming thus far. Head coach Ben McAdoo needs to give rookie TE Jerell Adams more snaps to improve blocking and open up the passing game.

As the New York Giants enter their bye week, head coach Ben McAdoo will likely be making some changes to his offensive strategy. While the Giants rank sixth in passing offense, their rushing offense is abysmal averaging just 3.3 yards per carry; good for 29th in the NFL. Part of McAdoo’s course correction should include more snaps for rookie tight end Jerell Adams.

The play from the tight end position has been average at best. Larry Donnell and Will Tye have yet to have a real impact in the passing game. Tye has 18 grabs for a respectable 8.3 yards per catch. Donnell has 15 catches and one touchdown, plus a costly fumble against the Los Angeles Rams. Despite fumbling on the second play, Donnell got the most snaps out of all the tight ends against the Rams. Jerell Adams got just 5 snaps and one catch for 7 yards.

Of course, tight end production boils down to more than just numbers of catches. No one is expecting Donnell to put up Odell Beckham Jr.’s numbers. Where the TEs have been underwhelming has been in the blocking game. With starting RT Marshall Newhouse banged up, the tight end needs to be productive blocking and that’s never been Donnell’s strong suit.

Wanted: Better Blocking

As Big Blue View’s Ed Valentine points out, “Adams is supposed to be the best blocker of the three tight ends the Giants have, so get him on the field often enough to prove it.” It’s somewhat surprising that Adams hasn’t gotten more snaps at this point considering how poor the blocking has been.

Oct 9, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Giants tight end Jerell Adams (89) during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Giants tight end Jerell Adams (89) during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Adams could make the receiving game a bit more dynamic as well. McAdoo, a former tight ends coach with the Packers, said prior to the season, “We certainly feel that he has traits that we can develop into a good in-line player. He also has good speed down the middle of the field, he’s a big target. He has a unique skillset that we like for the position.” That speed down the middle should force safeties to play off the line more and free up some coverage for the wide receivers, namely OBJ.

With the production coming out of the tight ends thus far, it’s time to give the rookie Jerell Adams some more opportunities on offense. Donnell is what we’ve come to expect from him – inconsistent and a poor blocker. Tye is a solid player, but hasn’t played up to the expectations set for him last season. Adams was drafted to be a solid all-around player, it’s time for the Giants to make him prove it.

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