3 Giants who will avoid sophomore slumps in 2023

It's April, which means that the New York Giants are gearing up for the 2023 NFL Draft. Looking back at last April, the G-Men did not do too shabby with their picks. The first three selections, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Evan Neal and Wan'Dale Robinson, each had pivotal roles in their rookie campaigns.

Looking forward to the 2023 season, each of these three mentioned above has a new set of expectations placed upon them going into their sophomore year. One of those expectations is to not fall into the stigma of a "sophomore slump." Here is why each of them should be able to avoid that foredrawn conclusion by season's end.

3. Pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux

The hype surrounding Thibodeaux is ridiculous. Many have labeled the outside linebacker as the next coming of Lawrence Taylor, and fans won't be able to let that comparison go. At least not after his first NFL season.

Thibodeaux, the fifth overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft from Oregon, certainly got his reps in during Year 1. He started all 14 games he appeared in, which is the most for all rookies in 2022 for the team. He also contributed 49 combined tackles, 33 of those being solo. Most importantly, coming off the edge, he got to the opposing QB four times for sacks, which was good for third on this defense.

For 2023, his importance to this defense is unmatched. Alongside Azeez Ojulari and newly-acquired linebacker Bobby Okereke, this trio has the makings of a former devastating pass-rushing core in Giants history. You know the ones, Taylor, Harry Carson, and Carl Banks.

In order to live up to the kind of reputation and legacy that is the Big Blue Wrecking Crew, Thibodeaux is going to have to shine the brightest. He cannot afford to have a slump of a season in 2023. Under defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, he has ample opportunity to be a difference maker next season - we should see a breakout year for him.

2. Right tackle Evan Neal

Opposite of All-Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas, Evan Neal was shaky at best in his first season with Big Blue. The No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Alabama, Neal was stuck in cement for a good amount of the season, allowing 11 sacks. Additionally, he was only behind Laremy Tunsil of Houston and tied with Jermaine Eluemunor of Las Vegas for most false starts, with an abysmal six, according to SIS Data Hub.

Now that the Giants have locked up Daniel Jones for the next four seasons, it is important to protect him at all costs. Jones has a whole new list of expectations placed upon him, and he can't achieve any of those if he doesn't have a solid offensive line in front of him. His blindside is covered by the aforementioned Thomas being a safe and secure lineman, but Neal has to seriously step up his game to protect Jones as well. In 2023, Neal has a large hill to climb to prove that he is not a draft bust in his sophomore season.

Lineman in this league are not easily replaceable, and if he can develop into a sturdy right tackle for the Giants, this team could be a contender each year. That is how important Neal is to this organization.

1. WR Wan'Dale Robinson

This is where it can get very tricky for Robinson. He showed he could've been a very valuable asset for the Giants offense in 2022, prior to his season-ending injury in week 11 vs. the Detroit Lions. But things have changed since the start of the league year. He was targeted 31 times last season and hauled in 23 of them for 227 yards. One of those catches was a five-yard touchdown grab in Week 6 against Baltimore.

The Giants have gone out and signed Jamison Crowder, Parris Campbell, and brought back fan-favorite Sterling Shepard. That is three NFL-proven talents for Jones to work the ball too. This also doesn't include Darius Slayton, the WR1, and Isaiah Hodgins, who looks like he could be Jones' first read all next season. Let's also not forget that the Giants went out and brought in one of the top-tier tight ends in the league, Darren Waller. Looking at that list of names, it is hard to pick out Robinson from the crowd.

Let's also not forget, the Giants look like they might use their first selection in this upcoming draft on another wide receiver. Florida State wideout Zay Flowers is a name that sticks out, and if he is the 25th pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, the log jam in front of Robinson just got more crowded.

Robinson is going to have to work his way back, from not only his torn ACL, but into the starting lineup. Right now, he is listed as the second slot receiver behind Hodgins. Training camp is going to be a fun battle with the two of them fighting for that spot, and the preseason will only add fuel to that fire. At the moment, the edge belongs to Hodgins, but Robinson will still be ready to try and make a big impact on this team next season.