1. Daniel Jones
No NY Giants year-two player is better positioned to take a massive step forward than their franchise quarterback, Daniel Jones. That is a strong statement given the talent of the aforementioned players and that Jones was able to throw for 3,027 yards and 24 passing touchdowns while adding 279 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in just 12 games started for the Giants last season.
Daniel Jones managed to break a number of both NFL and Giants rookie records last season and was much better than analysts predicted when Dave Gettleman and the Giants were widely mocked for selecting him with the sixth overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Incredibly, Jones was able to be extremely productive despite shoddy offensive line play that allowed Jones to be hit 66 times, hurried 48 times, and sacked 38 times on the season. Additionally, Jones regularly lacked the services of Saquon Barkley, Golden Tate III, Sterling Shepard, and Evan Engram throughout the season due to injuries and suspensions.
Gettleman and the NY Giants worked diligently to shore up their offensive line in the offseason by drafting Andrew Thomas with the fourth overall pick in the draft, drafting Matt Peart in the third round, Shane Lemieux in the fifth round, and by adding Cam Fleming in free agency.
As a result, the offensive line looks to be significantly deeper and much more talented than it was in front of Jones last season. The team also hired a talented offensive line coach in Marc Colombo which should also help with the improvement of the line.
Providing Jones with improved pass protection should help with the fumbling issues that plagued Jones last season. In addition, it should provide him with additional time in the pocket for him to cycle through his progressions and should allow wide receivers additional time to get separation and get open for Jones. Improved run blocking should also allow Jones to better utilize his ability to scramble as well.
If the offensive weapons that Jones has at his disposal can manage to remain healthy this season, he has an elite group of receivers, tight ends, and running backs that should allow him to produce excellent numbers next year.
The addition of former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett as the offensive coordinator of the NY Giants should also pay dividends for Jones next season. Garrett is widely viewed as one of the top offensive minds in the league and quarterbacks Tony Romo and Dak Prescott both thrived in his offenses.
Due to all of these offseason improvements, Daniel Jones is primed to elevate himself into the conversation of being in the upper echelon of quarterbacks in the NFL next season. If he is able to produce at a high level, the NY Giants could be legitimate contenders next season, which would be much faster than most believed possible.