NY Giants: Case for Daniel Jones taking Eli Manning sized leap in 2021

While Daniel Jones still has plenty of room for improvement, he’s already farther in his development at this point than his predecessor for the NY Giants.

NY Giants’ starting quarterback Daniel Jones has provided as many questions as he has answers through his first two seasons.

Sound familiar?

Maybe it’s because the cries for Jones’ inability sound vaguely familiar to those from 15 years ago.

In 2004, rookie quarterback Eli Manning replaced now-Hall of Famer Kurt Warner. Fans that season were quick to point out all of Eli’s flaws. And like many new NFL quarterbacks, there were plenty to choose from.

Manning went 1-6 as a starter that season, before turning it around the following year and leading the Giants to an 11-5 record.

Can Daniel Jones follow in Eli Manning’s footsteps to breakout season for NY Giants, and beyond?

Jones hasn’t yet had that rebound season. But there is reason to settle some of the worry that surrounds him: Jones is off to a stronger start through two seasons than Eli was through his first two seasons.

Manning sports a far better record than Jones currently does, going 12-11 through two seasons while Jones is 8-18. But his prowess ends there.

Jones only played three more games through two seasons than Eli. But he leads most categories in both accumulation and percentages.

Jones has far more completions (564 to 389) for a better completion percentage (62.2 to 50.5), and +1000 yards more (5970 to 4805) than Eli had.

For all the talk about Jones’ turnover problem – which does very much exist – he threw fewer interceptions (22 to 26), and had a lower interception percentage (2.4 to 3.9). What’s more, he threw for five more touchdowns (35 to 30).

Jones might not have the record to prove it, but he was also more productive on a game-to-game basis than was Eli.

Both quarterbacks seem to have a fear of throwing the ball far; Jones gains just 6.6 yards per pass attempt (6.3 when adjusted) while Eli gained 6.1 yards per pass attempt (5 when adjusted).

But Jones averaged 221.5 yards per games played through two seasons, whereas Eli averaged just 175.5.

Manning does have the lead in a few categories. His first two season’s average for longest completion (65) edges out Jones’ by a yard (64). Eli also edges him out in yards gained per pass completion (11.9 to 10.6).

Manning, who was as mobile as a marble statue, was also sacked far less frequently than Jones. Manning was sacked 41 times for 267 yards in his first two seasons, while Jones, who doesn’t have the benefit of a Super Bowl winning offensive line, was sacked 83 times for 581 yards.

In the past 15 years the NFL has pushed offensive emphasis on passing, which surely helps make Jones’ numbers stand taller. But the numbers show that Jones is at least better than Manning was at the same stage in their development. And it’s not very close.

While QBR did not exist then as it does now, Jones has a much higher rating through two seasons. Jones’ average rating is currently 84.1, while Eli averaged a 65.7 rating.

And although the wins didn’t come Jones’ way as early as they did for Eli’s, Jones has proved he can win. He currently sports two game winning drives and one fourth quarter comeback – both are one behind what Eli did at that stage, and Eli’s silver lining was always his ability to bring the Giants back.

Jones has a chance this season to push himself farther ahead than his predecessor in their respective third seasons. The Eli-led Giants only went 8-8 in 2006. The Jones-led Giants are in a good position to do even better.

Daniel Jones will certainly continue to hear criticism this upcoming season. But as long as he keeps improving and sustaining his lead over the development of a two-time Super Bowl MVP, he’ll continue to prove his case.