The NY Giants are now 10 games into the season and obviously, things have been a train wreck. Not only is the team spiraling out of control, but the amount of injuries has ultimately played a huge factor in New York's downfall. Despite this, even without injuries, several players on this Giants team have massively disappointed.
These five players had big expectations coming into this season, yet, for one reason or another, failed to meet them. For some, their future with the Giants is now up in the air due to the way they ended up being busts this season. For others, fans may no longer wish to have them on the team regardless of their contract situation down the road:
5. EDGE Azeez Ojulari
After missing the majority of last season due to various injuries, fans were hopeful for Azeez Ojulari to have a healthy 2023. The injuries sucked, but it was clear last season that Ojulari was still an impact player when on the field, as he racked up 5.5 sacks in seven games. This season, though, Ojulari has not only missed games, but when on the field he's been a complete no-show.
Through four games, Ojulari has racked up just three tackles, zero sacks, and seven pressures. Yes, the injuries are likely playing a factor in this disappointing play. However, considering how poor the Giants' pass rush has been all season, the team has needed a bigger boost from the 23 year old.
It's doubtful that the Giants look to move on from the third-year edge rusher considering how much potential he's shown in the past, but there's no doubt he's been a massive bust this season. We always hate to see players get hurt, but this is the second season in a row in which Ojulari has consistently been unable to keep himself healthy. Something has to change in the future for him.
4. WR Isaiah Hodgins
One of the biggest storylines from the Giants' playoff-bound season last year was that of Isaiah Hodgins, who looked like a star in the final eight games. Now, Hodgins has completely disappeared and we really don't know what is next for the 25-year-old receiver. While his talent is clear, for one reason or another, it hasn't been showcased this season.
In those eight games last season, Hodgins caught 33 passes for 351 yards and four touchdowns and even caught eight passes for 105 yards and a touchdown in the Giants' Wild Card victory against the Vikings. With how poor the team's receiving core had looked all season, it finally seemed as if New York found their guy on the outside.
Despite this, Hodgins, again, has disappeared this season, catching just 12 passes for 120 yards and one touchdown through 10 games. While yes, a lot of this poor play can be blamed on some disastrous performances from the various QBs who have suited up for the Giants this season, it doesn't change the fact that he's disappointed regardless.
Hodgins' contract is set to expire after this season, so it will be very interesting to see if Joe Schoen believes in his potential and brings him back, or gives up and lets another team give Hodgins a shot. After how hot he was to close '22, we expected more out of the former Oregon State standout this fall.
3. WR Parris Campbell
When the Giants signed Parris Campbell this offseason, many fans were excited, as it seemed like the offense was potentially going in a more aggressive direction. However, it was quickly realized that this was not the case and thus far, Campbell has been incredibly disappointing to the point where he barely sees the field.
Campbell was signed to be a deep threat, as that is his best skill. However, the Giants haven't been using him as one all season and it's affected his level of play. Campbell is not a complete receiver and shouldn't be used as one, yet, the Giants tried to and it didn't work out. In 10 games, Campbell has caught just 19 passes for 106 yards and zero touchdowns.
Through the first four weeks, Campbell saw the field on 136 snaps, however, in the six weeks since, he's seen just 44 snaps. Not only do the Giants not trust Campbell to make simple plays, but they haven't even been giving him the deep plays he needs to succeed. It'd be a shock if he's back in 2024.
2. OT Evan Neal
Whether you want to label him a draft bust, or a season bust, both titles work for Evan Neal right now. To put it simply, Neal has been a disaster during his time in the NFL and while there's still time to turn it around, the Giants cannot be happy with how he's playing and may consider replacing him this offseason.
Through seven games, Neal has allowed two sacks and 30 pressures. While he's gotten better at allowing sacks, he's still allowing roughly the same amount of pressures as he did all of last season, in around 140 fewer pass-blocking snaps. All of this, combined with his comments made toward fans earlier in the season, has everyone fed up and ready to move on.
Neal can still shock us all and improve next season, but is it worth trusting that he will? Realistically, he's shown little-to-no signs of improvement since being drafted and with how questionable of a coach Bobby Johnson is, we doubt this trend changes in Year 3.
Who knows what the future has in store for the 23-year-old tackle, but with all of the veteran free agents and options in this year's draft, Neal's time at RT could be limited. Could Brian Daboll move him to guard? It's something people have been calling for.
1. QB Daniel Jones
It shouldn't be a surprise at all who's No. 1 on our list. What in the world happened to Daniel Jones this year? Though his 2022 season ended with a brutal showing vs. the Eagles in the Divisional Round, he was brilliant in the Wild Card Round win over the Vikings. Add in him powering the Giants to a 9-7-1 record and Danny Dimes received quite the payday.
Jones was signed to a four-year, $160 million contract extension this offseason. Despite this, Jones completed 67.5 percent of his passes for 909 yards, two touchdowns, six interceptions, and four fumbles in just six games. We're not sure what happened to Jones this season, but when on the field, he was a shell of the player he was in '22.
Now, the Giants are primed to receive a Top 5 pick in next spring's draft due to their poor play, and with there being plenty of QB talent in this upcoming class, the Giants could decide to move on from Jones and we wouldn't blame them. You can criticize Schoen for signing Jones to the extension all you want, but there's no doubt that he did a good job at making it possible for the Giants to move on from Jones after next season. Jones was expected to live up to his new contract, but he didn't - not even close.