NY Giants: 5 Players who need to step up in 2021

The NY Giants need more production from these key players next season if they want to return to the NFL playoffs.

The NY Giants appear to be headed in the right direction again.

Thanks to head coach Joe Judge and the new culture he instilled, along with much improved 2020 offseason acquisitions, things are starting to slowly trend upwards for the Giants.

Unfortunately for the Giants, several key players were lost due to injury, while others did not put up the production many expected and hoped for this past season.

If the Giants want to return to NFL prominence, they will need their best players to stay healthy, be productive, and shine on the field in 2021.

Heading into 2021, one of the franchise’s main goals has to be how to use their best assets on the field properly and efficiently and take the next step from a 6-10 team to a legit playoff-bound team that other opponents won’t want to face.

Here, we look at some key names on the roster that must have big seasons in 2021 for NY:

Daniel Jones, Quarterback

Daniel Jones has to do better and show much more than he did in 2020.

Jones regressed dramatically and wasn’t nearly able to have the same impact he had his rookie year in 2019.

Jones had a rough eight-game stretch to start the season, but he was starting to find his rhythm in Weeks 9-12. Jones was efficient, he was far less careless with the football, he wasn’t turning the ball over, and his legs were becoming a legit threat in the Giants’ struggling offense.

The Giants’ second-year quarterback had nine rushes for 64 yards and a touchdown in the Week 10 showdown vs the Eagles. He also had another rushing touchdown called back that likely would have ended the game in the 4th quarter.

After the Week 11 bye, things were really starting to click for Jones. He appeared far more comfortable and much more in control of Jason Garrett’s offense. However, the hopeful optimism came to an immediate halt after Jones clearly was hurt after taking an awkward fall and hit after a brief rushing attempt in the third quarter.

Jones’ leg injury came at the worst time possible as the Giants were in the middle of a prime playoff run. The injury forced him out of the following week’s game in Seattle where Colt McCoy led the team to their signature win of the season. Jones may have rushed back too soon from his injury and he was clearly not himself two weeks after the injury in the team’s disappointing loss vs the Cardinals.

Heading into year three, it’s a make or break season for Daniel Jones.

Most NFL teams can see what they have in their young quarterback after three seasons. It’s now or never, do or die for Jones. He needs to have similar (ideally better) stats than his rookie year when we had multiple games with 4+ touchdowns and/or 300 yards. Those are the numbers the coaching staff needs to see in order to feel confident about Jones remaining the starter in 2022 and beyond and become the new long-term quarterback of the NY Giants.

Jones is the team’s most important draft pick since Eli Manning in 2004. His role on the team will define Dave Gettleman and the team’s overall legacy for several years to come.