3 NY Giants in danger of losing playing time after loss to Washington

The NY Giants had a golden opportunity to start the 2024 campaign, facing the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Commanders before their schedule truly began to become filled with stout opponents.

After a dominating loss to the Vikings in Week 1, who perhaps proved to be better than many thought after their win against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2, the showdown with the Commanders took on a whole new meaning — win, or you run the risk of a winless September. As fate would have it, the Giants fell to their longtime rival, as Daniel Jones and Co. couldn’t elevate above Washington, a team they’ve routinely beat over the last couple of seasons, even when morale was low.

Once again, the Giants are 0-2, and the future is murkier than ever for the franchise. They looked to be built from the inside-out, especially on defense, but stars like Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux have been missing through two games. On offense, the offensive line seems to be improved, but they haven’t been able to put together a cohesive game, even if Week 2 was much, much better than their performance against the Vikings. With all of that said, could these three players lose out on playing time moving forward:

3. NY Giants cornerback Cor'Dale Flott

First, Cor’Dale Flott is seeming more like a miss than a potential starter for the Giants and general manager Joe Schoen. The former LSU defensive back had some solid intangibles, and he’s made some important plays during his time in the league, but during his third season with the Giants, he looks like nothing more than a replacement-level player, and that’s unacceptable for a defense trying to pass him off as the CB2.

Giants fans were likely cursing Flott’s name throughout the first two weeks, as he allowed a touchdown in Week 1, and he looked completely overmatched during the most important downs against the Commanders. If the Giants don’t have anyone else that can play opposite Deonte Banks more effectively, that’s a major issue, and everyone from Deshaun Watson to Dak Prescott will continue ravaging the defense every weekend.

2. NY Giants wideout Darius Slayton

Next, Darius Slayton seems to have had nine lives with the Giants during his time in New York, but with every loss, the clock begins to tick a little bit faster on his tenure with the franchise. The veteran wide receiver has yet to make an impact in the first two weeks, and when Daniel Jones has looked his way, Slayton hasn’t been able to make the play. He had a critical two-point conversion attempt bounce off his hands, and while it wasn’t exactly an easy catch, Jones gave his longtime receiver a chance, and the former Auburn star couldn’t handle it.

Behind Slayton, the Giants have some interesting wide receiver prospects, like Jalin Hyatt and Bryce Ford-Wheaton. It already feels like Slayton is living on borrowed time, as he wasn’t given the extension he wanted before the season. The Giants could look to trade the embattled wide receiver and recoup some assets while getting a better look at their depth moving forward if they can’t put together a winning streak beginning in Week 3.

1. NY Giants quarterback Daniel Jones

Finally, Daniel Jones, even though he played a much better game in Week 2, could be playing his final games as the Giants starting quarterback following a tough start to the season for New York. Quite simply, Jones was terrible against the Vikings, and while he played better against Washington, the Giants left yards and points on the field. Jones played decently, but he's still 0-2 to start the year.

Baker Mayfield carved up the Commanders for four touchdowns the week prior, and if it wasn’t for Malik Nabers’ ability after the catch, Jones’ line wouldn’t have looked nearly as good. If he looks more like he did against the Vikings than the Commanders when the Giants head to Cleveland in Week 3, and that’s certainly possible due to the Browns’ stout defense, Brian Daboll could look for a change at the position, with Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito itching for a chance to push the ball downfield. Neither are tremendous options, but sometimes a change is all that’s necessary when you can’t find a win. Jones is safe for now, but if NY keeps losing, he might need to hit the bench.