New York Giants ceiling and floor for 2023
With the reigning NFL Coach of the Year on the sideline, can the New York Giants make some noise in the NFC East? A division title may be out of reach, but a second straight trip to the playoffs is certainly possible.
With the conclusion of training camp and preseason, here's a look at the Giants’ ceiling and floor heading into Week 1.
Ceiling 9-8
Nine wins got the Giants into the playoffs last year, and that’s probably a best-case scenario for 2023. The offense should be better with the additions of tight end Darren Waller and rookie receiver Jalin Hyatt. Quarterback Daniel Jones should also improve with another year in head coach Brian Daboll’s system.
When healthy, the sure-handed Waller is among the best tight ends in football. He had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with the Raiders from 2019-2020. Injuries have hurt his numbers since, but so far, he and Jones appear to have excellent chemistry.
Hyatt is wearing Odell Beckham’s old No. 13, so the team must like what it's seen from the rookie speedster. Hyatt started the preseason with one catch for -4 yards against the Lions but rebounded with four catches for 35 yards and a touchdown against the Panthers a week later.
Floor 5-12
Of course, the Giants will struggle if their skill position players don’t stay healthy. Waller has missed 14 games due to injury over the past two seasons. Running back Saquon Barkley has been healthy lately, but he’s played in just 60 of a possible 82 games in his career.
The team had high hopes for rookie receiver Wan’Dale Robinson last year, but injuries limited him to six games in 2022. He’s also coming back from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 11. He should be ready for Week 1, but how much he’ll play remains a question.
Question marks surround the team’s defense as well. Rookie cornerbacks (and projected starters) Deonte Banks and Tre Hawkins have looked good in camp, but guarding NFC receivers like A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, CeeDee Lamb and Terry McLaurin could prove difficult as the year goes on.
The Giants’ six interceptions tied for fewest in the NFL last year, and their 43 sacks were lowest in the NFC East. Re-signing defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and bringing in linebacker Bobby Okereke from the Colts should help, but will it be enough?
Giants fans will find out when the G-Men host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night.
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