NY Giants still won’t be able to contend in 2022 thanks to Dave Gettleman

Over a week has passed since the 2022 NFL Draft and NY Giants fans are all animated in joy following the picks of Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal. While these should be additions that uplifts both sides of the ball, the team’s supporters may not want to get overly excited for what’s to come in 2022 just yet. 

The Giants still have a lot to work on this meager roster created by former general manager Dave Gettleman. The current roster represents what he tried to build, opposed to newly appointed general manager Joe Schoen’s vision. This will change in time, as it is Schoen’s first offseason running the show in East Rutherford.

Schoen’s first noticeable addition made was the signing of guard Mark Glowinski from the Indianapolis Colts, an essential move towards helping the offensive line take the next step. One of Gettleman’s goals during his time as GM was to rebuild the offensive line, but he never completed that, leaving a deteriorated group of linemen for Schoen and his new-look staff.

Schoen also went on to bring in former Buffalo Bills’ offensive lineman Jon Feliciano not long after adding Glowinski. These two moves almost immediately upgraded the offensive line alone. That wasn’t the only addition to the Giants offensive line Schoen had up his sleeve, picking Neal at No. 7 overall. Neal will be opposite of Andrew Thomas for years to come and fans can’t wait to see them both go to work together in the trenches.

The ‘big’ loss for the Giants from the offensive line group was Will Hernandez, a former second-round pick in 2018. Selecting Hernandez, now with the Arizona Cardinals, in the second round was an easy selection at the time, as he was seen as a first-round talent. Although it never worked out, you must credit Gettlemen as one of his few attempts to improve the line.

A big role in the letdown the Giants had in 2021 was the poor offensive line, which hampered the entire unit. Last season, New York checked in at No. 30 in the PFF offensive line rankings. It was clear some major changes were needed up front and Schoen has delivered with all the moves he’s been able to make.

NY Giants offense still leaves plenty to be desired

During Gettleman’s final offseason, his goal was to give quarterback Daniel Jones some offensive weapons. The key addition that was presumed to make the biggest impact was the addition of wide receiver Kenny Golladay for $72 million over four years. In his first year with the Giants, Golladay was a big-time disappointment, finishing 2021 with 521 yards and no touchdowns.

The other players brought in by Gettleman who were supposed to make noise for the offense were John Ross and Kyle Rudolph. The two combined for 481 yards and two touchdowns last season. Ross is a free agent, while New York cut Rudolph to help create needed cap space. Don’t forget that Evan Engram never worked out either, and the tight end has joined the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In a move to help the offense, the Giants drafted Wan’Dale Robinson from Kentucky in the second round after trading back twice. In the fourth round, Schoen went with San Diego State tight end Daniel Bellinger, but he’s known more as a blocker. There’s still plenty of offensive worries for this team and Schoen is going to need more time to turn things around. Because of Gettleman’s mistakes, though, the Giants aren’t built for success this fall.