4 NY Giants who have massively let fans down this season

The NY Giants have had a bizarre 1-2 start to the season. New York has led for a total of 19 seconds in 2023 and, quite frankly, the team is lucky to have a win. The 2023 campaign, thus far, has been defined by lousy play, uncharacteristic mistakes, and, per usual, injuries.

Eight of Big Blue's opening-day starters - Evan Neal, Andrew Thomas, Saquon Barkley, Ben Bredeson, Azeez Ojulari, Deonte Banks, Adoree' Jackson and Graham Gano - have dealt with injuries. The Giants cannot control injuries, but have control over their on-field play.

The whole team must raise their level of play quickly, especially four studs in particular, if New York is going to make a playoff push for the second straight season. Here are four NY Giants who have been massive disappointments through three games:

4. NY Giants CB Adoree' Jackson

Jackson has been put in a tough spot to start the season. Cor'Dale Flott and Darnay Holmes struggled this summer, while Tre Hawkins had a tremendous camp, prompting the Giants to move Jackson, their best cover corner, from the outside into the slot CB spot.

During the first three weeks, Jackson has been the nickel back when Big Blue has five defensive backs on the field but plays outside in the base defense alignment. He's been asked to play two roles, which has not been pretty.

Jackson has played 103 coverage snaps in 2023, allowing 13 completions for 201 yards and a touchdown. PFF has given Jackson a 53.6 grade this season, which ranks 77th out of 102 qualified cornerbacks. His 52.7 coverage grade ranks 78th.

Jackson has been put on islands with elite NFL receivers this fall, and it did not go well when he matched up with Deebo Samuel last Thursday.

Regardless of position, Jackson is the best cornerback on the Giants roster. New York needs a lot more from the USC product. We can only hope he picks up his play the rest of the season. The Giants need him to be at his best.

3. NY Giants WR Parris Campbell Jr.

Parris Campbell Jr. was one of Daniel Jones' favorite pass-catchers to throw to this summer, and that has continued early in the season. Campbell leads Giants receivers in receptions with 11 this fall. Only Darren Waller (12) has caught more passes than Campbell Jr.

Despite hauling in 11 passes, Campbell's 47 receiving yards are the fifth-most on the Giants. Despite his blazing sub-4.3 speed, Campbell averages a porous 4.3 yards per catch. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka deserves some blame for that, as most routes Campbell runs are flats, but you'd still like to see a player with blazing speed break a tackle and generate yards after the catch.

After all, the value of speed is generating YAC; any receiver can run a flat. The ex-Colt is averaging just 1.5 YAC this fall. While he has only been credited with one drop, the speedster should have brought in more passes for Danny Dimes thus far.

Campbell has lined up in the slot 79.3 percent of the time this season, but it would behoove the Giants to let the speedster get more one-on-one chances on the outside. It also can't hurt to line him up in the backfield or give him a Curtis Samuel-like role. However possible, the Giants need to get the guy most viewed this summer as their top receiver going.

2. NY Giants RT Evan Neal

Neal had a brutal rookie season in 2022, but seemed to find his footing over the last few games. He has yet to take the step forward most expected him to take in 2023. Arguably, he has been even worse than in 2022.

PFF has Neal graded as the second-worst tackle in the NFL in 2023, only better than Steelers tackle Dan Moore Jr. In 185 snaps at right tackle this fall, the Giant has allowed 13 pressures, nine hurries, three hits, and a sack. Playing on the offensive line is hard, and the struggles are getting to Neal.

During the Giants comeback against the Cardinals, Jones rushed in for a touchdown to cut the deficit to seven, but the play was negated due to a Neal false start. Luckily, Big Bue was able to score later that drive, but that play could have cost the Giants their first and only victory of the season.

To make matters worse, Neal suffered a non-contact injury in the loss to San Francisco. He rolled his ankle while attempting to get into position for a tackle after a Jones interception that deflected off Waller's hands.

Though Neal has struggled, the best thing for the Giants is for the former No. 7 overall pick to continue to develop, and the only way he can do that is by gaining reps. Neal was drafted in the first round for a reason, and the Giants need his insane athleticism from college at multiple positions to translate to the NFL. Any potential development will be stopped if Neal's injury forces him to miss time.

1. NY Giants pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux

No player has been more disappointing this season than Kayvon Thibodeaux. The first of the Giants two 2022 first-round picks has just four total pressures, two hurries, one sack, and one QB hit in three games.

PFF has Thibodeaux graded as the second-worst defender on Big Blue and the worst Giants defensive starter. The Oregon product is ranked as the fourth worst edge defender in 2023, 109 out of 112 qualified players.

Some of Thibodeaux's modest stats are due to the absence of Azeez Ojulari. Ojulari and Thibodeaux were supposed to form an elite pass-rushing duo, but Ojulari suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1 and has missed the last two games. With Ojulari out, opposing defenses have run their plays away from Thibodeaux.

The young pass-rusher made controversial statements last week, calling out the Giants faithful for booing the team in Arizona (you can't blame them for booing; Big Blue was down 20-0 at half) and for sitting away from his teammates during the comeback victory. His lack of effort on a tackling play has stirred the pot even further.

Thibodeaux got very chippy with 49ers offensive linemen in the second half, and it's nice to see him show his frustration. He was called for a brutal illegal contact penalty last Thursday, but after review, it was evident that what he did was well within the rules.

When it rains, it pours. That is happening for Thibodeaux. Luckily for him, a lot of football remains (14 games or 82.3 percent of the season). Indeed, there's plenty of time for the youngster to show the Giants brass they were right to draft him in the top five.