ESPN recently ranked NFL teams based on their skill position players. After evaluating each team’s wide receivers, running backs, and tight ends and analyzing their skillsets against various defenses, the New York Giants’ skill position players dropped in near the bottom of the list, ranking No. 27.
The analysis somewhat makes sense if we’re looking at talent alone. Saquon Barkley is by far the Giants’ most explosive and talented skill player. The problem with Barkley is his ability to stay healthy consistently. Even then, he can only carry them so far, as we witnessed last season.
How far can running back Saquon Barkley carry the Giants? He approached his 2018 rookie form and excelled last season, generating 114 rushing yards over expected behind an inconsistent offensive line. If this version of Barkley sticks around, the team will be thrilled, but counting on the former No. 2 overall pick to stay healthy for the second consecutive season is difficult. In between healthy campaigns in 2018 and 2022, he missed 21 games and was forced out of three others with various injuries. Matt Breida would be the first man up if Barkley missed time.
Bill Barnwell also discusses the youth at wide receiver, the huge dropoff in talent between Barkley and his backup, Matt Brieda, that Darren Waller needs to be a top talent but hasn’t shown it over the last few seasons, and how Parris Campbell isn’t a sure thing because he spent the early part of his career on the sidelines with various injuries.
Speaking of last season, let’s remember that Brian Daboll had minimal offensive weapons to use throughout all of 2022. He relied heavily on backups and replacements like Isaiah Hodgins and Richie James to make plays.
Unless Daboll can guarantee that Barkley, Campbell and Waller are healthy all season and live up to their potential, though, this team seems doomed to rely on replacement-level receivers far too often.
While correct in that the Giants have to rely on backups too often, what the author does not discuss is how the backups did their jobs pretty effectively. Plus, Barnwell only discusses the talent of the skill position players, he does not address the offense’s ability to play as a unit.
Talent will only get you so far in any sport. A team’s ability to play as a cohesive unit with a singular goal in mind is what separates the good teams from the great teams.
Last season, Daboll proved that he can work with the players he had on his roster. Things may have changed during the offseason, but his ability to coach has not. As long as Daboll has the trust of his players and players that buy into what he does, that is what gets the Giants a winning season.
