The NY Giants depth chart is much improved entering the 2021 season with a roster potentially capable of pushing for the NFL Playoffs
As embattled NY Giants general manager Dave Gettleman enters what could be a make-or-break season, it would seem for the first time he has built a roster capable of breaking a four-year NFL postseason drought.
Much of the NY Giants’ success hinges on quarterback Daniel Jones making significant strides in his development, but after an offseason spending spree, New York has the kind of depth across the roster necessary to take the next step.
NY Giants head coach Joe Judge wasn’t shying away from expectations that come with a more talented depth chart this spring.
“I talk to the team all the time about expectations,” Judge admitted during minicamp. “But right now at this time of year, the expectation for them is to come in, get in shape, do their job the best they can and work as hard as they can, to pay attention and make decisions that put the team first, that’s it.”
Will increased talent lead to more wins this season?
Here’s a look at how each position on the NY Giants depth chart stacks up from weakest to strongest as training camp and the 2021 NFL season approach:
9) Offensive line
Starters: Andrew Thomas, Shane Lemieux, Nick Gates, Will Hernandez, Matt Peart
2nd team: Nate Solder, Jonotthan Harrison, Brett Hggie, Zach Fulton, Chad Slade
If it seems like the NY Giants’ offensive line perennially is a “work in progress,” well, that’s because for the better part of a decade it has been.
The NY Giants are optimistic that Andrew Thomas and Matt Peart can be the bookends at tackle for the coming decade. But, both have significant questions about whether they can put it all together and play at a consistently high level for an entire season.
Shane Lemieux must step up from a subpar rookie season, and Will Hernandez is entering his fourth season, after regressing in 2020 aiming to prove worthy of a long-term extension and live up to expectations of a high second-round pick.
Daniel Jones taking a significant leap at quarterback will dictate the NY Giants’ success or failure in 2021 but his development just might hinge on the offensive line improving in front of him.
8) Quarterback
Starter: Daniel Jones
Backups: Mike Glennon, Clayton Thorson
Nothing is more important or impactful to the NY Giants breaking a four-year NFL Playoff drought than Jones proving he can develop into one of the league’s premier quarterbacks.
The NY Giants have done everything to facilitate Jones making the kind of leap in Year 3 that most quarterbacks do in their second season.
Jones must now prove that the additions of free agent prize receiver Kenny Golladay and first-round pick Kadarius Toney combined with the return of star running back Saquon Barkley are enough to boost his meager 2,943 passing yards last season and help cut down on his 22 interceptions through two seasons while becoming a driving force to more victories.
It’s unlikely that the NY Giants carry more than two quarterbacks, but the organization is high on Glennon’s ability to fill in when necessary and believe he is a significant upgrade over last year’s backup, Colt McCoy.
7) Linebackers
Starters: Lorenzo Carter, Reggie Ragland, Blake Martinez, Ifeadi Odenigbo
Oshane Ximines, Cam Brown, Tae Crowder, Azeez Ojulari
Trent Harris, T.J. Brunson, Devante Downs, Carter Coughlin
The NY Giants’ linebackers are among the most improved positions on the roster, and just might be among the more underrated groups in the league.
Martinez was a Pro Bowl snub, after falling four tackles short of matching his career-high in his first season reunited with defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. Odenigbo has the chance to be an immediate contributor after signing as a free agent from the Minnesota Vikings.
If Carter is fully healthy and fully healthy, after getting back on the field and with the first-team defense during spring OTAs following a ruptured Achilles last fall, he has the chance to be the focal point of the NY Giants’ pass rush.
Ragland provides veteran stability and physicality alongside Martinez, and Ojulari is viewed by many evaluators as one of the “steals” of the NFL Draft.
6) Tight end
Starters: Evan Engram, Kyle Rudolph
Kaden Smith, Levine Toilolo
Evan Engram made his first Pro Bowl in 2020, and the NY Giants were so impressed … They signed Kyle Rudolph almost immediately after free agency began.
Engram stayed on the field for 16 games last season, but coordinator Jason Garrett struggled to get the ball in his hands, largely because of the eight drops Engram was charged with.
Rudolph is as reliable as they come at the position, especially in the red zone, and creates opportunities for some intriguing two-tight end sets.
There’s a good chance the NY Giants keep four tight ends, because the organization likes Smith’s long-term potential and views Toilolo as a dominant run-blocker.
5) Safety
Starters: Jabrill Peppers, Logan Ryan
Xavier McKinney, Julian Love
Despite never before playing the position, Ryan provided direly needed veteran leadership and stability to the NY Giants’ safety position upon his arrival last summer.
Ryan holding opposing quarterbacks to a 105.8 passer rating and receivers 9.8 yards per catch allowed Peppers to freelance up near the line of scrimmage where he was a nice weapon as a pass-rusher and run-stopper last season. That should continue as both find their footing in their second season in Graham’s scheme.
Meanwhile, Xavier McKinney is viewed by many evaluators as a possible breakout star for the NY Giants in 2021 and the 2020 second-round pick should see the field in three-safety sets.
4) Running back
Starter: Saquon Barkley
Devontae Booker, Corey Clement, Gary Brightwell
Barkley returning to health and returning to form could determine the NY Giants’ ceiling in 2021.
With plenty of motivation to show he can stay on the field and return to being one of the NFL’s most dangerous multi-faceted running backs, Barkley’s performance this season will likely dictate just how committed the NY Giants will be to the No. 2 overall pick in 2018 long-term.
Booker’s presence could keep Barkley fresh by inheriting the carries late in games and perhaps even vulturing some goal-line opportunities, which could prove pivotal in a 17-game season.
The competition as the NY Giants’ change of pace back between Clement and Brightwell will be one to watch during training camp this summer.
3) Defensive line
Starters: Leonard Williams, Danny Shelton, Dexter Lawrence
B.J. Hill, Austin Johnson, Niko Lalos
R.J. McIntosh
For the past several seasons, the NY Giants’ defensive line has been the backbone of the roster and one of the deepest positions.
This season, additions at two other critical areas — combined with the departure of Dalvin Tomlinson via free agency — push the defensive line down a rung or two, but it remains possibly among the stoutest in the NFL.
The pressure is on Williams to prove that his career-high 11.5 sacks weren’t a fluke in 2020 and that his massive contract is justified, but the former No. 6 overall pick had his most dominant season in his first playing under coordinator Patrick Graham and line coach Sean Spencer, which could be a harbinger of things to come.
Meanwhile, playing alongside space-eaters in Shelton and Lawrence should free Williams up from double-teams, with the latter a versatile interior pass-rusher in addition to being a dominant run-stuffer.
If the NY Giants’ defense makes strides this season, it will be because this group didn’t miss a beat and took a step up in 2021.
2) Cornerback
Starters: James Bradberry, Adoree’ Jackson, Darnay Holmes
Isaac Yiadom, Aaron Robinson, Rodarius Williams, Monte Hartrage
What a difference a year makes.
While Bradberry made his first Pro Bowl and built a strong case as the most significant free agent addition made by the NY Giants under Gettleman, gone are the days of Yiadom, Hartrage, or or Madre Harper starting on the outside and playing meaningful snaps at cornerback.
A carousel of mediocre journeymen and unproven young players appears to have stopped spinning this offseason, with the addition of Jackson to bring much-needed stability opposite Bradberry.
Meanwhile, Holmes proved plenty capable of locking down slot receivers as the nickel during a standout rookie campaign last season and should be given first crack at reprising that role this season.
Expectations are high for Robinson as a rookie, and all of this talent infused at this position could lead to Hartrage and Yiadom competing for a roster spot.
Had these rankings been released last June, cornerback would likely have been last on the list. However, after the past two offseasons spent rebuilding the position, a case can be made it is the strength of the roster entering 2021.
1) Wide receiver
Starters: Kenny Golladay, Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard
Kadarius Toney, John Ross, Austin Mack
Dante Pettis, David Sills, Alex Bachman
If Jones is going to develop into a legitimate franchise quarterback, it will largely be because of the investment the front office made at receiver this offseason.
Golladay arrives as a true game-changing talent at wide receiver, two years removed from leading the NFL in receiving yards. Lining Golladay up outside with Shepard returning to the slot could open up opportunities for Slayton to stretch the field.
Meanwhile, Toney’s versatility and big-play ability in the vertical passing game is going to get him on the field and opportunities early on. Ross’ speed is intriguing, and the thought of four wide receiver sets with Barkley in the backfield presents all kinds of options for Jones and the offense.
Almost overnight, the NY Giants’ receiving corps went from one of the worst in the NFL in 2020 to arguably one of the most dangerous ahead of 2021.
Matt Lombardo is FanSided’s National NFL Insider and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday. Email Matt: Matt.Lombardo@FanSided.com, Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL