Adrian Fedkiw
Each day leading up to the official start of the NFL football season, I will be providing you with player rankings, team previews, analysis, predictions, opinions and a whole lot more.
With a top 10 offense last year coupled with a not so top 10 defense, the New York Giants attempted to buy a defense during the offseason.
It doesn’t always work that way.
They spent the second most money during free agency, about $200 million, which included three massive deals on defensive players. They signed defensive end Olivier Vernon to a five-year, $85 million pact with $52 million guaranteed, inked defensive tackle Damon Harrison to a five-year, $46.25 million contract with $24 million guaranteed and locked up cornerback Janoris Jenkins to a five-year, $62.5 million contract with $28.8 million guaranteed.
Oh, and the Giants also have a new coach after Tom Coughlin didn’t return following a great 12-year run. Last year’s offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo was promoted to the head coaching spot.
QBs- Eli Manning (8), Ryan Nassib (7.2)
RBs- Rashad Jennings (7.3), Shane Vereen (7.3), Paul Perkins (7.2)
WRs- Odell Beckham (8.5), Victor Cruz (7.3), Sterling Shepard (7.2), Dwayne Harris (7.1) 7.525
TEs- Will Tye (7.3), Larry Donnell (7.2)
Ts- Ereck Flowers (7.2), Marshall Newhouse (7.2), Will Beatty (7.2)
Gs- Justin Pugh (7.5), John Jerry (7.2), Bobby Hart (7.1)
Cs- Weston Richburg (7.7), Brett Jones (7.1)
DEs- Olivier Vernon (7.9), Jason Pierre-Paul (7.5), Owamagbe Odighizuwa (7.2), Kerry Wynn (7.2)
DTs- Damon Harrison (8), Johnathan Hankins (7.6), Jay Bromley (7.2), Robert Thomas (7.2)
OLBs- Devon Kennard (7.4), Jonathan Casillas (7.3) ,J.T. Thomas (7.3), Mark Herzlich (7.2)
ILBs-Kelvin Sheppard (7.3), Keenan Robinson (7.3)
CBs- Janoris Jenkins (7.5), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (7.5), Eli Apple (7.2), Trevin Wade (7.2)
Ss- Landon Collins (7.3), Darian Thompson (7.1), Nat Berhe (7.1)
K- Josh Brown (7.4)
P- Brad Wing (7.2)
KR- Dwayne Harris (7.3)
PR- Dwayne Harris (7.3)
Coaches- (7.3)
Team- 7.355 (24/32)
Offense- 7.391 (19/32)
Defense- 7.347 (23/32)
Quarterbacks-7.6 (12/32)
Running Backs- 7.27 (27/32)
Receivers- 7.43 (7/32)
Offensive Line- 7.26 (28/32)
Defensive Line- 7.48 (8/16)
Linebackers- 7.32 (9/16)
Secondary- 7.25
Special Teams- 7.3
PREDICTION– 7-9 (2nd NFC East)
QUARTERBACKS
Manning silently had the best statistical season of his career, setting career highs in yards (4,432) and touchdowns (35) and threw just 14 interceptions for the second straight year.
He does get inconsistent with his accuracy, but the arm strength is still there as Manning can make all the throws. He had complete control of the offense in year two under the now head coach McAdoo and that was without a reliable running game.
Ryan Nassib is again the backup, while Josh Johnson is the third-stringer.
RUNNING BACKS
The Giants used a running back by committee approach until Rashad Jennings emerged late in the year, running for 422 yards over his final four games.
Shane Vereen is a solid pass catcher coming out of the backfield, but carried the ball just 61 times, which was almost the same amount of receptions he had (59). Fifth-round rookie Paul Perkins is somebody to watch. He’s shifty and is also a solid pass catcher.
RECEIVERS
Beckham had 96 receptions, 1,450 yards and 13 scores last year. ot too shabby and he’s still only 23. Beckham has the softest hands in the league, we obviously all know how he can effortlessly pluck the ball out of the air with one hand. The strength he has with his hands to go along with the concentration is top notch. And then he has that exceptional leaping ability as well.
Beckham is an electric route runner and when you combine his speed and body control, it makes it very difficult for a cornerback to play him. If you play off, he’ll beat you with his ability after the catch, if you play him on the line, he uses that agilility and quickness to make mincemeat out of a defensive back. In my opinion he’s the best yards of the catch receiver in the league, using that agility, quickness and vision in the open field. He can score from anywhere on the field on any given play. He’s as smooth as it gets in the NFL right now.
Who is going to step up behind him? How much does Victor Cruz have in the tank after missing his last 26 games due to a torn patella tendon in 2014 and a calf injury cost him the 2015 campaign. Rookie Sterling Shepard was taken in the second round and can play inside or outside. He’s quick in and out of his cuts to go with good hands.
Will Tye was solid at tight end after Larry Donnell missed the last eight games due to a neck injury.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Weston Richburgh didn’t have a great year as a rookie guard in 2014, but made the move to center last year and excelled. He’s very powerful and explodes off the ball in the running game, generating a lot of movement at the point of attack. He also showcases the mobility on the second level and dominates linebackers. In pass protection, Richburgh uses that strength in his ability to anchor and plays with a low center of gravity.
Former first rounder Justin Pugh started his career as a tackle, but has made a seamless transition to left guard. He’s very good at moving and pulling in the running game. Last year’s first-rounder Ereck Flowers has to work on his technique, but is nasty and tough.
The left side of the line is set, but John Jerry and Marshall Newhouse might be a problem at right guard and right tackle, respectively.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Vernon had the luxury of playing alongside Ndamukong Suh, but he’ll be next to Harrison now, whose not too shabby himself. And don’t look at those 7 ½ sacks and think he didn’t get after the quarterback, the 41 hurries proves he was disruptive.
Vernon has a very quick first step to go along with the flexibility to bend and turn the corner against tackles. He has power as well and his bull rush is very effective. Where Vernon really improved last year and why he’s in my top 10 is the run defense. He did a fantastic job of setting the edge and his 50 run stops were the most by a 4-3 defensive end, according to Pro Football Focus. Can Jason Pierre-Paul figure out how to play with the club on his right hand? He wasn’t the same player following the fireworks incident.
Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins turns guards around right off the snap with a quick first step. He has a lot of power too to drive them backwards. As a run stuffer, he uses that quickness to get into the backfield.
At 6’4, 350, Harrison is ridiculously strong to go along with ver long arms and it helps him keep blockers off him. He disrupts the line of scrimmage and clogs the middle. He’s simply immovable. Harrison may not tally a bunch of sacks, but he can collapse the pocket using a bull rush to create opportunities for his teammates.
LINEBACKERS
Outside linebacker Devon Kennard was a lot better during his rookie season than he was in year two, where he battled injuries. Jonathan Casillas won the other outside linebacker job after beating out J.T. Thomas and Keenan Robinson.
Jon Beason retired during the offseason and Kelvin Sheppard won the job at middle linebacker. He’s a journeyman that is solid, but isn’t a game-changer. Fourth-round middle linebacker B.J. Goodson is a name to watch as the season goes along.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Jenkins takes over at cornerback for Prince Amukamara, a former first round pick that never seemed to stay healthy. He has boom-or-bust potential. He’s surrendered the third most touchdowns in the league (22) since 2012. He joins Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who like Jenkins is an aggressive corner that likes to make plays on the football.
The Giants used a first round selection on Eli Apple, who has the physical traits to be solid, but needs to work on his ball skills.
Safety Landon Collins is a solid tackler in the running game, but struggles in coverage, while third-round rookie Darian Thompson is a ball-hawk.
TEAM PREVIEWS
AFC East: Buffalo Bills | New England Patriots | Miami Dolphins | New York Jets
AFC North: Baltimore Ravens | Cincinnati Bengals | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cleveland Browns
AFC South: Indianapolis Colts | Houston Texans | Jacksonville Jaguars | Tennessee Titans
AFC West: Denver Broncos | Kansas City Chiefs | San Diego Chargers | Oakland Raiders
NFC West: Los Angeles Rams | San Francisco 49ers | Seattle Seahawks | Arizona Cardinals
NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Atlanta Falcons | New Orleans Saints | Carolina Panthers
NFC North: Chicago Bears | Detroit Lions | Minnesota Vikings
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NFL PLAYER RANKINGS