A New Look in NYC
The New York Giants 2022 outlook is led by a completely new GM and Head Coach. Joe Schoen is in for Dave Gettleman as General Manager. He can't be worse than Gettleman. And Brian Daboll is the teams head coach after a not so great tenure of Joe Judge. Brian Flores was rumored to be in the final list of potential coaches, but his class action lawsuit may have ended that hope. One of the more underrated hires of the offseason was the Giants bringing Wink Martindale in as DC from Baltimore. After a really bad 4 win season in 2021, the Giants are turning the page and looking to the future. For all the changes in the front office and coaching staff, the team still has a lot of the same question marks on the field.
Put Up or Shut Up Dan Jones
Daniel Jones, or Dan Jones as he goes by now, is in a make or break year. The GM who drafted him is gone, and the team did not pick up his 5th year option. So if Dan Jones is going to be in a Giants uniform beyond 2022, he will need to prove it. Since entering the league in 2019 he has fumbled the ball 36 times! Now, not all of those fumbles were turnovers, but that's still way too many times to put the ball on the ground. Pair that with the 29 interceptions, and Dan Jones has left Giants fans asking WTF? Silver lining; Jones's interceptions have gone down every year. But so have his passing touchdowns. This is a make or break season for Dan in New York, and he's going to have to wow the fan base and franchise to remain under center in 2023.
He's not the Only One
Dan Jones is not the only Giant entering a make or break 2022. Saquon Barkley had his fifth year option picked up, but is unsigned beyond this year. Since his rookie season where he accounted for over over 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns. Since then he has missed 21 games, eclipsed 1,00 rushing yards once, and scored just 12 touchdowns. Kenny Galloday was a huge flop in his first season with the Giants. Now his contract will be difficult to get out of, but if he puts out another season like his 2021 campaign they will be looking to phase him out. There are plenty of other players on the roster that need to prove their worth to the new coaching staff and front office.
Talented Draft Class
The New York Giants 2022 outlook is closely tied to the 2022 draft class. Kayvon Thibodeaux out of Oregon and Evan Neal from Alabama can be anchors in the interior for the next decade if they hit. They are just 2 of the 11 draft picks the Giants made. If those top two guys hit, and they can find a few additional quality starters out of the other 9 draftees, the foundation is laid for the future in New York (or New Jersey). Let's get in to the New York Giants 2022 Outlook.
Schedule Breakdown
9/11 @ Tennessee Titans
9/18 vs. Carolina Panthers
9/26 vs. Dallas Cowboys (Monday Night Football)
10/2 vs. Chicago Bears
10/9 @ Green Bay (in London)
10/16 vs. Baltimore Ravens
10/23 @ Jacksonville Jaguars
10/30 @ Seattle Seahawks
11/6 BYE
11/13 vs. Houston Texans
11/20 vs. Detroit Lions
11/24 @ Dallas Cowboys (Thanksgiving)
12/4 vs. Washington Commanders
12/11 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
12/17 @ Washington Commanders
12/24 @ Minnesota Vikings
1/1 vs. Indianapolis Colts
1/8 @ Philadelphia Eagles
The first 4 games of the season is pretty manageable for the Giants. The Titans on the road to start the season, before returning home for 3 home games against the Panthers, Cowboys, and Bears. I am not very high on the Titans this season, but at home I don't think you can give the G-Men the win. I think the Giants can win 2 out of 3 against the Panthers, Cowboys, and Bears. Getting Green Bay in London is a blessing for New York. Weird stuff happens in games across the pond. I won't give the the W here, but it's a sneaky spot. No shot against the Ravens at home. Back to back road games against Jacksonville and Seattle, bye week, and home games against the Texans and Lions. Call me crazy, but I'll give them 3-1 in that stretch. The back half of the schedule is leaded with 5 NFC East games in their final 7 games. I think they go 2-3 in divisional games. At Minnesota and home for Indy in back to back weeks. 0-2.
Prediction: 7-10 (wins vs. Panthers, Bears, Jags, Texans, Lions, Washington (x2))
Key Additions
G Mark Glowiski (Indianapolis Colts); 3-year/$18.3 million
QB Tyrod Taylor (Houston Texans); 2-year/$11 million
G Jon Feliciano (Buffalo Bills); 1-year/$3.25 million
TE Ricky Seals-Jones (Washington Commanders); 1-year/$1.87 million
Fantasy Players
The Giants have some high upside fantasy players. Saquon Barkley tops that list. It's a contract year for Barkley, and his future in NYC will be directly tied to his 2022 output. He is a borderline RB2, but if you can steal him as an RB3, then you've got a high upside bench player. The change in head coach should increase his production. DO NOT TAKE THE KENNY GALLODAY BAIT! If you're a huge Giants fan and want a receiver, look at Kadarius Toney or Sterling Shepard, but I wouldn't recommend it. If you play in a 2Qb league or a Super Flex league, Daniel Jones could be worth rostering.
Best Case Scenario
Giants fans should be optimistic headed into 2022. You'll get an answer on Dan Jones and Saquon Barkley. The schedule broke very favorably. And Brian Daboll should provide a spark to the offense. Best case for the G-Men; Daboll turns Dan Jones into Jersey Josh (Allen). Looking at the schedule the Giants could reasonably start the season 3-1. Is I said earlier, Green Bay in London is as favorable a spot to play Aaron Rodgers and maybe there's a revenge factor for Wink Martindale going up against his former team; 1-1. Sweep the Jags, Seahawks, Texans, and Lions. Sweep the Commanders, and go 2-3 vs the Eagles (twice), Colts, Vikings, and Cowboys.
Bes Case Scenario Record: 10-7