With the NY Giants off to a pretty rough 2-5 start to the season, there have been some players for the team who haven't quite lived up to the hype. They may not be the direct reason for the Giants' lack of success, but they certainly haven't done anything to help. What's been going on?
As the season progresses, expect these four Giants to potentially see a decrease in snaps, or be outright benched. Hopefully, for the sake of their season, and that of the team, we see them improve. The Giants could really use a boost on both sides of the ball that these guys could easily provide if they're playing at the level we know they can:
4. S Dane Belton
Entering the season, some expected second-year safety Dane Belton to potentially take up a starting role playing alongside Xavier McKinney. Despite this, Jason Pinnock overshadowed the sophomore during training camp and the preseason, which led to him earning the right to start. Some still thought Belton could play a solid role for the Giants' defense due to his abilities as a coverage safety - so far, though, he's done anything but.
Belton hasn't seen the field much, playing just 77 snaps through the first seven weeks. However, when on the field he's been incredibly disappointing. In these snaps, Belton has racked up just eight tackles while missing two, in addition to allowing six receptions on seven targets for 73 yards and a touchdown.
Not only has Belton been his usual self in the run game, which is terrible, but the flashes of potential he showed as a coverage safety last season have been nonexistent. Belton hasn't just disappointed in this aspect, but he's been outright bad. It's come to the point where after seeing an increase in snaps during Week 5-6, Belton saw the field on just three plays during Week 7.
3. RB Eric Gray
Despite being taken in the fifth round of this year's draft, there was a reasonable amount of hype surrounding Eric Gray entering the season. While most of this had to do with the ongoing Saquon Barkley contract situation, it still seemed like Gray could potentially have been the RB2 for the Giants.
Through the first seven games, Gray has massively disappointed to the point where he may not have a role on the team once he returns from injury. Not only has Gray rarely seen the field as a running back, but even in the chances he's been given as a punt returner, he's looked terrible. Gray has muffed two punts this season, both coming in the last three weeks, and as a pure returner he's looked unremarkable to the point where he's been benched on multiple occasions.
In all fairness, this is likely a position Gray never should have been placed in, but it's still one he had to learn this summer, but hasn't. Maybe in the future Gray can carve out a role as a solid rotational back, but as of now, it definitely isn't going to happen this season.
2. WR Parris Campbell
One of the more noteworthy signings made by Joe Schoen this offseason was that of former Colts WR Parris Campbell, who joined the Giants on a one-year, $4.7 million contract. Through seven games, though, Campbell has been one of the biggest disappointments on a Giants offense that's chock-full of them.
Not only has Campbell not been the deep threat the Giants needed him to be, but he's been one of the worst YAC receivers in the NFL, offering no dynamism with the ball in his hands. This is something that Brian Daboll is noticing as well, as Campbell has seen a continuous decline in snaps since Week 1 to the point where he saw the field just three times against the Commanders.
With the rise of Jalin Hyatt, alongside the usage of both Wan'Dale Robinson and Darren Waller, the Giants have not had much need for a receiver of Campbell's archetype. Perhaps he can be used occasionally as a deep ball threat as the season goes on, but it's pretty clear he won't be a consistent part of the Giants' offense moving forward barring injury.
Through seven games, Campbell has caught 16 passes for just 85 yards and zero touchdowns, averaging just 5.3 yards per catch. While he's not on a big contract or anything, there's still no doubt that he's been a massive letdown for the Giants this season.
1. QB Daniel Jones
While a good bit of Daniel Jones' struggles can be blamed on the situation around him, a lot of it has simply been related to his poor decision-making both in the pocket, and when throwing the ball. This, combined with some great play from Tyrod Taylor in Jones' absence, has fans questioning whether or not he is the right QB for this Giants team.
Through five games, Jones completed 68.9 percent of his passes for 884 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions, while also fumbling the ball six times as well (four lost). While four of his interceptions have come off the hands of receivers, this doesn't change the fact that they are turnovers nonetheless.
Jones has looked slower making decisions, hasn't been nearly as accurate as in prior years, and has made a lot of mistakes similar to ones he has in the past that had fans questioning whether or not he was the right pick at No. 6 back in 2019. While there's still hope for him to turn it around once he's healthy, it's not looking great so far.
If Taylor continues to step up and perform well in Jones's absence, Daboll and the Giants are going to have to question who their starter should be moving forward. While Daboll has said there's currently no QB controversy, if the Giants keep winning under Taylor, he may have to remain the starter for the sake of the team. Jones is still dealing with a serious neck injury and Daboll has no idea when he'll be able to return.