NY Giants must fix these glaring weaknesses before the 2022 season
By Reese Nasser
Sunday’s NY Giants loss to the Chicago Bears showcased some of the organization’s greatest flaws that must be fixed this offseason, if 2022 is going to be any different
The NY Giants have seemingly reached rock bottom for their 2021 season.
New York’s most recent loss, a 29-3 defeat to the Chicago Bears, seemingly sums up this Giants season. Glaring issues on both sides of the ball led to the game being over before it even had an opportunity to start.
Currently sitting at 4-12 with just one more game to go, this season is all but over.
All eyes have already moved on to this offseason and to the future of this team. This offseason could prove to be drastic for this team as they have to address needs both on the roster and in the front office.
While it is still unclear who will be the general manager for the Giants heading into this next season, whoever it is will have their hands full. There are glaring weaknesses on this roster that must be fixed before the 2022 season. If they aren’t, then next season could prove to be much of the same for this Giants team.
These weaknesses must be addressed by the NY Giants before the 2022 season.
The Offensive Line
There is blame to go around on offense and this unit has only been seen at full strength once or twice throughout this entire season.
They are the most injury-plagued team in the NFL and this has no doubt been a strong reason why their performance has been so underwhelming. But the recent efforts made by the offensive line have been less than worthwhile.
The Giants’ offensive line is arguably the worst in the NFL and has proven to be the weakest part of this team. Outside of left tackle Andrew Thomas, who has solidified himself as the star of this unit, the line has been incapable of stopping any defense.
Due to the poor play of the offensive line, the rest of the offense has basically come to a pause. They are incapable of generating points and every drive looks difficult. While the Giants currently navigate a five-game losing streak, they have scored more than 20 points just once. They have also been held to under 10 points on three different occasions.
While it is all but guaranteed that the Giants will have two picks within the first 10 selections of this year’s NFL draft, it is not too far-fetched that both are used on an offensive lineman. A draft haul of Iowa center Tyler Lindenbaum and Alabama tackle Evan Neal could help solidify this unit.
The NY Giants don’t lack playmakers, they lack the time needed to create plays.
More often than not, the offense is stuck in their tracks. The opposing defense is in the backfield before plays are even able to develop. Players like Kadarious Toney and Saquon Barkley have proven to be electric on offense, but if they aren’t able to work with the ball, no good will come out of habing them.
Once the offensive line is addressed, this offense can and will look drastically different. It is hard to expect production from this team when the necessary opportunities aren’t granted.
The Defensive Front
The NY Giants’ defensive line has also faced its fair share of issues throughout this season.
The main difference between this unit and their offensive counterparts is that the front office has attempted to fix this side of the ball.
After trading for defensive end Leonard Williams, it looked like the unit would be ready to perform. But instead, they have become a unit that opposing teams must look forward to playing. Through 16 games, they have kept opposing offenses to under 100 rushing yards just five times.
The unit has also failed at disrupting plays and reaching the quarterback. Excluding eight sacks from rookie edge rusher Azeez Ojulari, the Giants front has recorded just 14.5 sacks. The inability to reach the quarterback has allowed opposing teams to push the ball down the field. The secondary has still managed to play well but a strong defensive front could help lessen the load expected from them.
The NY Giants could address issues on the defensive front through either the draft or through free agency. There will be intriguing options in both areas. In order for this defense to be a legitimate threat, they will have to try and solidify this area.
A New QB2
The Giants have a clear problem at QB2.
If the NY Giants choose to stick with Daniel Jones as their quarterback of the future, they must be willing to find themselves a better option to serve as their backup.
While current backup Mike Glennon obviously knows the position better than most people, his recent play on the field has not been enough.
Obviously, some struggles can be attributed to the lackluster offensive line, but other problems fall directly onto Glennon himself.
With Glennon at the helm of this offense, moving the ball has become practically impossible. And it has also limited this unit immensely. Glennon prevents the team from pushing the ball down the field.
It is also noted that Daniel Jones has had his fair share of injury issues. He is yet to play a full season and is currently dealing with a neck injury that has shut him down for this season. A stronger option at QB2 could help ensure that even if Jones is forced to miss time, this offense can still be a capable unit.