4 position battles NY Giants fans should already be thinking about
By Doug Rush
1. Every single option at wide receiver
When the Giants made the investment to give Jones the four-year, $160 million deal back in March, they invested in Jones being the franchise quarterback; although that investment started back in 2019 when Jones took over for Eli Manning as a rookie.
But now with Jones locked into a new deal, the new regime is doubling down on the investment and have provided him with some new options to throw to. One of the first moves the Giants made was to trade for veteran tight end Darren Waller, who granted, isn't a wide receiver, but he sure does give the Giants a chance to create mismatch opportunities for the opposing defenses.
Danny Dimes ➡️ Darren Waller
— PFF (@PFF) May 8, 2023
(🎥 @Giants)
pic.twitter.com/UsBx9RnCn9
The Giants did bring back Darius Slayton on a two-year deal; Slayton has been Jones' leading receiver in three of the four seasons Jones has been the Giants starter. Sterling Shepard was also brought back, but the question remains if he can be healthy enough to last an entire season; he has played in 10 total games in the last two years. But when Shepard is healthy, he is still productive.
Sterling Shepard when healthy is still a weapon. Yes, key words are when healthy. Even still, his talent is there. As is his desire to be a Giant.
— Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) March 12, 2023
Despite the injury history, Shepard in the locker room, in the film room and on the sidelines is a vital leader and teammate whose… https://t.co/fAKV07eq1E pic.twitter.com/qSPpaLHosO
Then there is Jalin Hyatt, whom the Giants drafted in the third round and traded up to acquire in the 2023 NFL Draft. Hyatt is coming off a 1,267-yard, 15-touchdown season while at Tennessee and his addition to the offense that gives the Giants a lot of hope for big plays down the field; something the Giants didn't have a lot of in 2022.
Hyatt could have the potential to be the Giants first 1,000-yard wide receiver under Jones and the first once since Odell Beckham Jr. back in 2018. But he'll still have to come in and compete with the rest of the Giants wide receiver depth chart and wide receiver room.
Isaiah Hodgins is also back for a second season with the Giants. Hodgins was one of the most dependable receivers in the second half of the '22 campaign.
The greatest enigma heading into the 2023 season for the Giants is WR Isaiah Hodgins.
— Tommy (@TommyG105) May 4, 2023
While with Buffalo, in less than a season and a half, Hodgins played just 20 snaps.
In 10 games with the Giants he finished with 41 catches 356 yards 5 TD’s, and zero drops.
Did the Giants… pic.twitter.com/IShCLnbfZu
Unlike last year, when the Giants couldn't depend on Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney, the Giants may have a good problem with the options that Jones will be able to throw to. As far as who gets the starting nods when the Giants head into Week 1, that remains a major question heading into camp. But watching the receivers work in the summer will sure be fun to watch.