How does Kadarius Toney fit into NY Giants wide receiver depth chart?
The NY Giants significantly improved the WR position this offseason, adding Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney, so how will the depth chart take shape?
Nowhere on the roster have the NY Giants improved more than at wide receiver, this offseason.
In an effort to jump-start an offense that finished 31st in scoring and 29th in passing offense, the NY Giants signed the marquee wide receiver available in free agency, Kenny Golladay, plucked Kadarius Toney out of Florida with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and even took a free agency flier on former first-round speedster, John Ross.
One year removed from leading the Giants with 751 receiving yards and three touchdown catches, Darius Slayton could find himself in a battle for a starting job.
That’s how much the quality and depth of the receiver position improved for this team this offseason.
Here’s a look at how the NY Giants wide receiver depth chart will likely shape up this season:
Outside Receiver
1) Kenny Golladay
Golladay arrives in East Rutherford as the NY Giants’ true No. 1 wide receiver, and the most gifted player at the position to wear a Giants uniform since Odell Beckham Jr. was traded following the 2018 season.
Back in 2019, Golladay caught 65 passes for a career-high 1,190 yards and a league-high 11 touchdowns. Despite missing 11 games due to a hip flexor last season, Golladay was still one of Matthew Stafford’s favorite targets, as the Lions’ quarterback produced 119 passer rating when targeting Golladay.
The NY Giants are betting big that Golladay will have the same impact on third-year quarterback Daniel Jones.
2) Kadarius Toney
Toney’s explosiveness (he averaged 19.4 yards per reception), and versatility (experience lining up outside, in the slot, with the shiftiness and frame to even line up in the backfield) will get the NY Giants’ first-round pick on the field immediately.
Whether Toney is the NY Giants’ No. 4 wide receiver, supplants Darius Slayton for a starting job outside opposite Golladay, or takes Sterling Shepard’s job as the slot receiver, odds are he will make a significant impact in 2021.
For now, ahead of his rookie training camp, slotting Toney as a second-string outside receiver feels like the starting point for the Florida alum.
3) C.J. Board
Board carved out a nice niche for himself in the NY Giants’ receiving corps last season, catching 11 passes for 101 yards in 14 games.
However, the additions of Golladay, Ross, and Toney will likely leave Board fighting for a roster spot this summer.