At 2-10, all the New York Giants have to play for at this point is pride, as they're in the midst of another disastrous season. While expectations weren't too high considering they said goodbye to their two best players on both sides of the ball, I don't think many envisioned this season would see Big Blue not only cut ties with franchise quarterback Daniel Jones but also endure a seven-game losing streak.
With five games remaining in the regular season, these games will primarily focus on evaluating the players they have right now and determining whether they have a future on the team next season and beyond. While there are countless holes Joe Schoen and the Giants' front office must address, it's these five players on this current GMEN squad who are running out of time to prove their worth in New York for the long haul.
5 New York Giants players running out of time to prove their worth
5. Daniel Bellinger, TE
The Giants have been thin at the tight end position and have lacked consistent production for quite some time. After the Darren Waller experiment failed in 2023, the Giants drafted Theo Johnson in the fourth round to pair with third-year tight end Daniel Bellinger. While Johnson has shown promise during his rookie season, his campaign has now been cut short due to a season-ending foot injury. This opens the door for Bellinger to step up in Johnson's absence.
Bellinger strung together two decent seasons for New York at the tight end position, recording over 25 receptions and 250 yards in both 2022 and 2023. However, 2024 has been nothing short of disastrous for the 24-year-old. With just three receptions for 31 yards and no touchdowns, Bellinger’s lack of impact should serve as a wake-up call. Especially after the drafting of Johnson, who has already showcased his potential in limited action as a rookie.
Now, with Johnson sidelined for the rest of the season, Bellinger must prove he has a future with the Giants beyond 2024. The team has been searching for their next Jeremy Shockey for years. While no one expects Bellinger to become that level of playmaker, significant strides are needed from him in the remaining games to solidify his place on the roster.
4. Tommy DeVito, QB
Not long ago, Tommy DeVito became an unsung hero for the Giants. While he is most likely not the franchise quarterback for Big Blue, he still has the opportunity to prove he can be a solid backup for whoever the Giants’ starter will be next season. That’s why he needs to show that the mini-run he put together last season was no fluke.
DeVito, or "Tommy Cutlets" as he was affectionately called, provided a spark for the Giants' offense in 2023 during a disappointing season. The undrafted quarterback won three straight games in late November and early December, throwing for 1,110 yards and eight touchdowns with just three interceptions in six starts. His most notable win came in Week 14 against the Green Bay Packers, where he led the offense down the field to set up the game-winning field goal.
Since that three-game win streak, however, DeVito has lost his last three starts. His most recent outing came against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where the Giants managed just 245 yards of total offense and seven points. It remains unclear if Drew Lock has the starting job from here on out, but if DeVito gets the call, either then or later in the season, he must prove that while he may not be starting-caliber, he can be a reliable backup option in the NFL.
3. Wan'Dale Robinson, WR
The Giants had high hopes when they selected Wan'Dale Robinson in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. They wished he'd develop into a reliable slot receiver. While his rookie season was cut short by a torn ACL, Robinson now needs to prove he belongs in the Giants’ receiving corps moving forward.
After his injury-shortened 2022 campaign, Robinson’s 2023 season didn’t deliver the breakout many anticipated. The 23-year-old played in 15 games, recording just 525 receiving yards on 60 receptions with one touchdown. Though he had a career-high 115-yard game against the Green Bay Packers, it feels like Robinson hasn’t fully hit his stride. Unfortunately, 2024 hasn’t been much better; Robinson has just 227 receiving yards on 23 catches with one touchdown through 12 games.
While it’s true that poor quarterback play and an inconsistent offense haven’t helped, time is running out for Robinson to prove his value. Whether it’s Drew Lock or Tommy DeVito throwing him the ball over the final five games, Robinson needs to show he can be a key contributor for the Giants.
2. Jalin Hyatt, WR
A breakout sophomore season was widely expected for Jalin Hyatt in 2024. After a promising rookie year with 23 receptions for 373 yards across 17 games, including a 100-yard performance against the New England Patriots, many believed the former Tennessee Volunteer was poised to take the next step. Unfortunately, 2024 has gone completely off the rails for the young wideout.
Through 12 games, Hyatt has managed just seven receptions for 53 yards and no touchdowns. He’s even gone four games without recording a single catch. While Brian Daboll’s reliance on Darius Slayton has limited Hyatt’s opportunities, the 2022 Biletnikoff Award winner has shown he can be a dangerous deep threat when given the chance. He didn’t record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons at Tennessee for nothing.
The final five games of the season will be crucial for Hyatt to prove he belongs in the Giants' long-term plans. He has shown flashes of his potential both in college and during his rookie year, but he needs to make his opportunities count and remind the Giants why they drafted him.
1. Evan Neal, OT
Are we really surprised? Offensive tackle Evan Neal, the Giants’ seventh overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, has had a rocky tenure in New York. After showing promise during his rookie season, injuries and inconsistent effort on the offensive line have cast doubt on his future with the team. These final five games could determine whether Neal remains on the Giants’ roster beyond this season.
Neal’s time in New York has been marred by multiple stints on injured reserve and a series of poor performances. One of his most notable low points came during a primetime blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks, where the Giants allowed 11 sacks, prompting boos from fans. Injuries have been the primary issue for Neal, with ankle and knee problems carrying over into this year, causing him to miss the start of training camp and a large portion of the regular season.
The Giants have yet to see Neal at his best, and the organization would hate to see another first-round offensive lineman fail to pan out. It remains to be seen how much playing time Neal will get over the remaining games, but if he does see the field, he needs to prove he belongs in New York for the long haul.