New York Giants: Five Reasons Eli Manning Should Have A Career-Year

1. YAC

Few quarterbacks have benefited quite as much from YAC as New York Giants star Eli Manning. For those unfamiliar, YAC is an acronym for yards after catch—a statistic that measures exactly what it sounds like.

Whether it’s been Victor Cruz taking a screen pass to the house or Odell Beckham Jr. turning slant routes into touchdowns, Manning has simply known when to get his playmakers the ball.

In 2017, Manning will have four players who are capable of extending players with some combination of their athleticism and physicality. Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard may stand shorter than 6’0″, but they’re reliable targets with tremendous footwork and alluring speed and agility.

Evan Engram is a 6’3″ tight end who may need to muscle up a bit, but can torment defenses with his uncanny 4.42 speed—a 40 time that’s 0.01 seconds faster than Beckham’s.

Perhaps the most important acquisition is Marshall, who has lost a bit of his speed at 33 years of age, but remains a physical marvel. The 6’4″ and 230-pound receiver isn’t afraid to get physical with cornerbacks and safeties, and he often comes out on top in those encounters.

Manning will need to be accurate, decisive, and precise in his throws and decision making, but having four players who can get yards after the catch is quite the luxury.

With a questionable offense line, the ability to release a quick throw and let his receivers work in space will be nothing short of invaluable to Manning’s success.

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Eli Manning may be 36 years of age, but the New York Giants have equipped him with an arsenal of weapons that should enable him to put forth a career-year.