Kadarius Toney a superstar? Well, that is what the New York Giants hoped when they drafted him with the 20th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
In a recent article by Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus, Toney is identified as Big Blue’s “secret superstar.” Although, given his talent level, that doesn’t seem like much of a stretch.
It’s difficult for a former first-round receiver to be a secret superstar, but that’s how far the narrative has shifted on Toney. When the Giants drafted Wan’Dale Robinson in the second round of the draft, many expected Toney to be traded away shortly thereafter. Toney’s rookie season was disjointed, but a dominant day against Dallas in Week 5 showed what he is capable of. He possesses rare movement skills and showed in that game he can win all over the field. Many have written him off after an underwhelming season, but the Giants’ leading receiver had 521 yards — such was the disaster of the passing game at large. With more opportunities coming Toney’s way this season, we could yet see impressive play from the second-year wideout.
Toney is off to roaring start in training camp this year, making eye-popping catcher and displaying his world-class athleticism.
“Being around him, he’s a smart football player,” Giants first-year head coach Brian Daboll said on Thursday. “He picks up things well in the meeting room. You can tell he has instincts even with him out on the field.
“The questions that he asks and the things that he sees. And we evaluated him when I was at Buffalo. Obviously, we thought he was a good player with quickness and speed and ability to do different things — run different routes. And it was good to see him out there with his teammates.”
Secret or not, the Giants need more of that smart, dynamic Toney in 2022.
