Today’s season preview is for a Giants team that will look significantly different in 2024. If you like the analysis here, consider signing up for our free newsletter to get can’t-miss NFL news and insights straight to your inbox every week.
- 2023 finish: 6-11 (third in NFC East); missed playoffs
- Over/under: 6.5 wins
Notable additions
QB Drew Lock, RB Devin Singletary, WR Allen Robinson II, WR Isaiah McKenzie, WR Miles Boykin, TE Jack Stoll, OL Jermaine Eluemunor, G Jon Runyan, G Greg Van Roten, G Aaron Stinnie, DL Jordan Phillips, OLB Brian Burns, ILB Matthew Adams, CB Tre Herndon, CB David Long Jr., S Jalen Mills, S Elijah Riley, DC Shane Bowen
Notable losses
QB Tyrod Taylor, RB Saquon Barkley, RB Matt Breida, WR Parris Campbell, WR Sterling Shepard, OT Matt Peart, OL Tyre Phillips, G Justin Pugh, G Shane Lemieux, G Mark Glowinski, DL A’Shawn Robinson, ILB Cam Brown, CB Adoree’ Jackson, S Xavier McKinney, DC Wink Martindale
2024 draft class
WR Malik Nabers (1.06), S Tyler Nubin (2.47), CB Dru Phillips (3.70), TE Theo Johnson (4.107), RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (5.166), LB Darius Muasau (6.183)
Projected starters
QB: Daniel Jones
RB: Devin Singletary
WR: Malik Nabers (R)
WR: Wan’Dale Robinson
WR: Darius Slayton
TE: Daniel Bellinger
LT: Andrew Thomas
LG: Jermaine Eluemunor
C: John Michael Schmitz
RG: Jon Runyan
RT: Evan Neal
DL: Dexter Lawrence II
DL: Jordan Phillips
OLB: Brian Burns
ILB: Bobby Okereke
ILB: Micah McFadden
OLB: Kayvon Thibodeaux
CB: Deonte Banks
FS: Jason Pinnock
SS: Tyler Nubin (R)
SCB: Dru Phillips (R)
CB: Cor’Dale Flott
2024 outlook
The Giants had a bunch of turnover on the roster this offseason, and the departures of Saquon Barkley and Xavier McKinney are obviously the headliners. New York’s hope is that the star power of Brian Burns will make up for the losses, but a lot of riding on the former Panther considering the resources spent in terms of both draft capital (essentially the No. 39 overall pick and a 2025 fifth-rounder) and money ($141 million over five years); if he doesn’t live up to expectations, there will be a ton of second-guessing the offseason by general manager Joe Schoen.
Burns will be joining a defense that already has a superstar up front in Dexter Lawrence II, and Kayvon Thibodeaux making a Year 3 leap could allow the Giants to get back to having a relentless defensive front that we haven’t really seen since the “NASCAR” package under Steve Spagnuolo. I’m also excited to see how the versatile Isaiah Simmons is utilized by new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, who appears to be the ideal personality fit for Brian Daboll.
On offense, Malik Nabers was our top wideout in the 2024 draft class, but it’s clear that New York wanted a quarterback to replace Daniel Jones—so I wonder why Bo Nix didn’t seem to garner any consideration at No. 6. The potential awkwardness for Jones after the team openly discussed trading up (likely for Drake Maye) on Hard Knocks is a bit overblown in my opinion, as Jones knows he is entering a make-or-break year—and Daboll will put him in the best position to have success.
Position battle to watch: Cornerback
There are position battles all over the roster for New York, but cornerback is key with the team likely preferring 2022 third-rounder Cor’Dale Flott and third-round rookie Dru Phillips to emerge. I wasn’t quite as high as others on Flott and Phillips as prospects, so keep an eye on Darnay Holmes and David Long Jr. as guys we have always liked, and the team also has Tre Herndon and Tre Hawkins III battling for roles behind Deonte Banks.
Breakout candidate: OT Evan Neal
It sounds like Neal—currently recovering from a broken ankle that ended his year in 2023—even having a starting job is in question, but there is just too much talent in him to write off after two seasons. The team moving Jermaine Eluemunor to right tackle after he spent the spring at left guard is interesting, but if Neal can find his way onto the field at tackle or guard, I believe he will be determined to show his potential.
Circle on the calendar: Week 4 (v DAL) | Thursday, September 26 – 8:15 PM ET
Almost every game could be circled for New York—the opener versus Minnesota, Week 3 versus an aggressive Cleveland defense, matchups versus Saquon Barkley and the Eagles, or going to Dallas on Thanksgiving—but I’ll go with the first matchup against the Cowboys. Remember, New York was destroyed on Sunday Night Football in last year’s opener, 40-0, and Week 4 will be the first of five standalone games for Daboll’s squad and a potential indicator of what kind of season they might have in 2024.
Bottom line
Again, the roster for New York was remade in a big way this offseason, and they’ll be relying on Daboll’s mind, an improved offensive line, and the upside of Malik Nabers to boost Daniel Jones, while the defense counts on a game-wrecking front to be built around Dexter Lawrence II, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux. The big question is if they have hit on enough draft selections in recent years to avoid a repeat of 2023.