The Offensive Line improves
The offensive line has to be better this year if the NY Giants hope to maximize their potential on offense.
Last year, Jones was sacked 45 times which was the fourth most for quarterbacks per Pro-Football-Reference.
Not only would a similar performance hamper any hope the Giants have of improving offensively, but it becomes even more problematic considering Jones and Saquon Barkley’s injury concerns. If Barkley and Jones find themselves missing time because they’re getting hit too much, then the offensive line isn’t performing well.
Andrew Thomas has to continue to improve similar to how he did over the course of last season while Matt Peart needs to be an upgrade over Cam Fleming at right tackle. Will Hernandez has to make a smooth transition to right guard and he needs to live up to expectations as a 2nd round pick in 2018 after losing his job to Shane Lemieux last season.
From Oct. 18 to Dec. 6, the NY Giants had seven straight games where they ran for over 100 years and they went 5-2 in that stretch. If the offensive line can replicate that stretch with the return of a healthy Barkley, then the offense will become much more dynamic.
If the young group shows a significant improvement compared to last season, then the Giants should improve by leaps and bounds offensively.