Bold predictions for Kadarius Toney, NY Giants’ rookies in 2021

Kadarius Toney was the NY Giants’ first-round pick, but he won’t be the only rookie to make a significant impact in 2021

After a free agency where the NY Giants re-established themselves as a premier destination, the team’s front office was faced with one more task – putting the finishing touches on their roster in the 2021 NFL Draft.

General manager Dave Gettleman, head coach Joe Judge, and the Giants’ brass passed their final test with flying colors.

By not just filling holes, but also building for the future – owner John Mara’s promise to fans may finally be fulfilled. By all accounts, it looks like winning football is on the horizon.

The Giants’ rookie class will be an integral part of that restoration. Even though they’ve yet to play a professional snap, they’re entering the league at the dawn of a new era in the franchise’s history.

Last season, rookies like Justin Jefferson, Justin Herbert and Chase Young took the league by storm. While Young was expected to make an instant impact, Jefferson and Herbert outplayed their rookie year expectations – leading to an exciting Offensive Rookie of the Year race.

Now, Kadarius Toney and Azeez Ojulari may not have the rookie seasons that Jefferson and Young did – but they can still excel. We can also see the rest of the team’s newbies outplay their draft spot – Aaron Robinson, Elerson Smith, Gary Brightwell and Rodarius Williams will get chances to make their marks.

Here’s one bold prediction for each of the NY Giants’ rookies in 2021:

Kadarius Toney will have a better statistical season than DeVonta Smith

Leading up to draft day, many Giants’ fans wanted nothing more than DeVonta Smith wearing the team’s signature blue draft cap. Instead, he left the draft doused in the midnight green of the Philadelphia Eagles.

While the blow of losing Smith to the Eagles was softened by gaining the Chicago Bears 2022 first round pick, it still stung that it was the Giants’ division rival who stole him. Now, last season’s Heisman Trophy winner will suit up against the team twice a year.

Luckily for the Giants, Kadarius Toney is no consolation prize. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Green Bay Packers reportedly coveted his abilities – he’s a phenomenal talent in his own right.

That talent will help him have a better statistical season than his Eagles’ counterpart.

Toney enters a situation where his team’s offense is about to take off – there’s simply too much talent littered throughout Jason Garrett’s group for them not to perform. Kenny Golladay taking the defense’s attention away, Saquon Barkley keeping everyone honest and Daniel Jones facilitating – the former Florida Gator will have ample opportunities.

On the other hand, Smith and the Eagles’ offense isn’t the most promising group in the league. While they have talent like Miles Sanders and Jalen Reager suiting up, a new coach and uncertainty at quarterback leaves them with more questions than answers.

Smith is a special talent, but so is Toney – he’ll prove he was deserving of his draft spot by outperforming the receiver drafted ahead of him.