NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
It was one season ago that the New York Giants were on HBO’s Hard Knocks. The docuseries followed the Giants throughout the draft and put a spotlight on the inner workings of the organization. With everything from their offseason moves to their draft strategy and eventually their picks. It was all under a microscope.
Skip ahead one year and we all saw how that turned out. Fans weren’t happy with the resolve at quarterback. They were even more mad that star RB left via free agency. Top it all off with a losing season and it may have sent them over the edge.
But that was last year.
What a difference a year makes. Despite their best efforts and some decent maneuvering in the preseason, the Giants struggled last year. It wasn’t what the team had hoped for but it did set them up for a bit more success in 2025 especially via the draft.
First, Daniel Jones played okay, but not well enough to invest another year into, so New York went and got a couple of veterans to take the reins. In doing so, they were able to get back to what used to be a staple of this Giants organization, their defense.
Not only did they get an able-bodied QB in Russell Wilson who can start day 1, but they also got an able-bodied backup in Jameis Winston so there’s no need to overdraft a rookie in hopes of a QB competition. By securing two quarterbacks in the offseason, both with starting experience, the Giants were able to solidify their commitment to the talent they do have and ensure them they weren’t going to waste another season while a rookie may or might not struggle under the pressure of the New York Media.
Had they been desperate at QB they might not have been able to land Abdul Carter who will likely be a force as a pass rusher for NY. In a division with great QB play, the Giants couldn’t afford to miss out. Cater was one of the top-rated defenders in this year’s draft so the Giants made the right calls leading up to this pick.
Then, of course, by adding Carter early, the team was able to take a valued QB with their second pick in the first round in Jaxson Dart. Dart made a name for himself before the draft and was climbing on many people’s draft boards. He has the skill set but now the Giants don’t have to rush his development. He can sit and learn if they need him to, or he might be this year’s Jayden Daniels. That’s completely up to him and the New York Giants, but no matter how it turns out he won’t face the scrutiny as much as if he was penciled in as the starter on day 1.
This is the type of offseason the New York Giants were looking to have last season but failed. Given the pieces they acquired going into that season and the way they’ve assembled so far this offseason and draft, they could be more competitive than many analysts give them credit for. With some good moves pre-draft and two solid picks on day one, it would be hard to argue the Giants aren’t having the best offseason they’ve had in a while.
