3 NY Giants players who must get more reps heading into Week 12

After being on their bye week, the New York Giants are set to return to action and will look to snap their five-game losing streak. At 2-8, Big Blue's season is pretty much over, and they’ll be heading in a different direction at quarterback as Tommy DeVito is now the starter, officially putting an end to the Daniel Jones era in New York.

While that move was expected due to Jones' struggles this season, the team should start looking into what other playmakers they have to prepare for a more successful 2025 season. In fact, if the G-Men want to give their fans something to be hopeful about during the second half of the season, these three players should see more reps to close out 2024.

3 NY Giants players who must get more reps to close out the 2024 season

3. Evan Neal, RT

This almost feels like the last chance for right tackle Evan Neal, who the Giants drafted in the first round of the 2022 draft. After showing some promise during his rookie season, his play has taken a nosedive, with injuries and an inability to provide any sort of protection leading to Neal spending the majority of the season on the bench. Even though he has struggled mightily, New York should still see what potential he has left.

Neal started the 2024 season hurt, which resulted in Jermaine Eluemunor (Giants offseason signee) starting at right tackle. Now, after finally making his first start in Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers, the Giants should explore what Neal has left to offer. He didn't play badly against Carolina. He allowed just one pressure on 41 pass-blocking snaps, which was a career-best. Giving Neal a chance to secure a future with the team moving forward makes tons of sense.

2. Daniel Bellinger, TE

The tight end position has been the biggest question for the Giants for the longest time. After the Darren Waller experiment didn’t work out, they now have two young and promising tight ends: Daniel Bellinger, whom the Giants drafted in the fourth round in 2022, and rookie Theo Johnson, who was also selected in the fourth round of this past draft. While Johnson has played much better over the last couple of weeks, New York still needs to see if they have something in Bellinger.

Bellinger has been a non-factor all season. He's only had three catches for 31 yards with zero touchdowns. Bellinger, now in his third year, has certainly regressed. The numbers have been a huge drop, especially considering he's coming off back-to-back years with 20-plus receptions and 250-plus yards.

One could argue Johnson has started to solidify himself as the number-one tight end. He has 21 receptions, 238 yards, and a touchdown. Even though Johnson has taken over as TE1, New York should still see what they have with Bellinger. He's shown flashes of being a reliable tight and at this point, New York should take what it can get in the talent department.

1. Jalin Hyatt, WR

Genuine question: Where is wide receiver Jalin Hyatt? After showing so much promise during his rookie season and coming into 2024 with expectations of a breakout year, the former Tennessee Volunteer has been practically non-existent this season. While Brian Daboll’s rationale points to the strong play of fellow wideouts Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson, the Giants must find a way to get Hyatt more involved for the rest of the season.

New York drafted Hyatt in the third round in 2023, and despite not recording a touchdown during his rookie season, the wideout still managed 23 receptions for 373 receiving yards. He also had his first 100-yard game in Week 12 against the New England Patriots, earning him the NFL's Pepsi Offensive Rookie of the Week honors. This year, however, it’s been a different story. The 23-year-old has just five receptions for 45 yards with no touchdowns, and in four of the six games he’s started, he has failed to record a single reception.

New York must get him more involved during the second half of the season, as he has shown just how dangerous and elite he can be. With Slayton set to be a free agent at the end of this season, the Giants must incorporate Hyatt more into the offense to determine if he can step up as the number-two wideout should Slayton leave New York.

More New York Giants news and analysis