For a New York Giants offense that scored 20 points or more in just six out of the 17 games they played this past season, it's safe to say the unit is looking for much better results in 2024. Big Blue averaged just 15.6 points per game in 2023 and for the fifth year in a row, they did not have a wide receiver reach 1,000 yards.
This could also be another difficult season for New York, especially after losing arguably their best offensive player in Saquon Barkley. Despite losing Barkley, all hope should not be lost for the G-Men this campaign.
Sure, the former No. 2 overall pick was electric for the Giants for over the last six years, but there is still optimism and some excitement about what this offense can do this fall and winter. Here are four reasons why:
4. Stability with the offensive line
It feels like for the first time in quite a while, the Giants offensive line may not be as bad as it has been for over the last several years. After leading the NFL in sacks allowed by a wide margin, there is reason to believe that the moves made at the offensive line position could help Daniel Jones and the Giants offense hopefully live up to their potential.
The Giants added key veteran players that they hope can protect Jones, as they signed guard John Runyan Jr to a three-year contract and they also added guard/tackle Jermaine Eluemunor to a two-year contract. Runyan has done a great job staying healthy throughout his career, as he's played at least 16 games over the last three seasons.
As for Eluemunor, he is the exact type of player they need on the offensive line, as he could be a possible option at the right tackle spot if former No. 7 overall pick Evan Neal continues to struggle. Eluemunor will start the year at left guard, but him potentially making a move to the outside midseason can't be ruled out. Add in Andrew Thomas, a former All-Pro LT, and John Michael Schmitz, and the guys up front are looking solid.
3. The addition of Devin Singletary
Look, Devin Singletary is no Barkley and the Giants will undoubtedly miss him, but this addition for the Giants offense should not go unnoticed. The Giants gave the running back a three-year contract and despite not putting up a 1,000-yard season throughout his five-year NFL career, he still has been very consistent during his time with both the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans.
Singletary has rushed for at least 700 yards in four of his five seasons thus far and has also rushed for over 800 yards in his last three years as well. Singletary is also coming off a strong season for the Texans, as in his first and only season in Houston, he rushed for a career-best 898 yards on a career-high 216 attempts.
He's averaged just over 4.5 yards a carry and has done a great job taking care of the football, as he's only had five fumbles lost throughout his five years in the league. Singletary isn't going to be asked to be a Pro Bowler, but he has the potential to be a quality back for Brian Daboll and Co.
2. A Jalin Hyatt breakout season coming?
When the Giants drafted wide receiver Jalin Hyatt out of Tennessee with their third-round pick in 2023, everyone thought the Giants got an instant playmaker and that he could be a dangerous weapon who Jones could throw too. Despite not having the rookie season he or the Giants anticipated, it seems like Hyatt is due for a major breakout sophomore season.
Hyatt only had 23 receptions for 373 yards in 17 games played in 2023, but we saw bits and pieces of what Hyatt can potentially be for Big Blue. Perhaps his biggest game of his rookie year came back in Week 12 of last season when he had a career-high 109 receiving yards on five catches against the New England Patriots. And it's not just his rookie season that's got Giants fans excited about what he might do this fall and winter.
Daboll also praised his young wideout during NY's offseason workouts and has said that he's making "tremendous improvements" and he has been very pleased with Hyatt's progress. These are all great signs. There is no question that Hyatt will provide lots of excitement for Giants fans this season and the hope is he can deliver for this offense.
1. No. 6 overall pick Malik Nabers
If this doesn't excite Giants fans, I don't know what will. New York selected wide receiver Malik Nabers with their No. 6 overall pick out of LSU in this past year's NFL Draft. There's no question the Giants will get an instant star for their offense. If Nabers played as he did during his time at LSU, he could finally be the No. 1 wideout the Giants have been looking for since the days of Odell Beckham Jr.
Nabers finished his career at LSU as the school's career leader in receptions with 189, as well as receiving yards with 3,003. Nabers is also coming off his best collegiate season in 2023 - he had 89 receptions on the year and well over 1,500 receiving yards with 14 touchdowns and averaged 17.6 yards per catch. He was quite simply the best wide receiver not just in the SEC, but also arguably in the country.
The Giants have been looking for a wide receiver like Nabers for years now and it looks like the G-Men may have finally found their next standout. Should Jones stay healthy throughout the season, these two could form quite the bond. Let's hope that turns out to be the case in 2024.