Three takeaways from Giants' Week 11 drubbing of Commanders
The New York Giants played their most complete game of the season in Sunday's 31-19 rout of the Washington Commanders (4-7) to move to 3-8. Here are the three biggest takeaways from New York's win, which has major implications for the 2024 NFL Draft:
Defense flashes its potential
After allowing 79 points over the previous two games, the Giants defense turned in its most dominant outing of the season on Sunday. The unit forced five of Washington's six turnovers, recovering two fumbles and intercepting three passes from QB Sam Howell, one of which resulted in a game-sealing 54-yard pick-six by LB Isaiah Simmons.
Additionally, the Giants registered four sacks, including two from second-year OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux. The former No. 5 overall draft pick appears to be taking the next step toward becoming the pass-rusher New York hoped he could develop into after a mixed rookie year. Thibodeaux now has 10.5 sacks on the season, the fifth-most in the NFL.
The Giants still allow the fifth-most points per game this season (25.9), yet they might not be far off from having one of the better defensive units in the league. With pieces such as Thibodeaux, All-Pro DT Dexter Lawrence, LB Bobby Okereke and rookie CB Deonte Banks, the Giants have a solid foundation to build around. Nonetheless, GM Joe Schoen will have to overhaul the 32nd-ranked scoring offense this offseason, considering its incompetence can bear much of the blame for the defense being in such difficult positions throughout the season.
QB Tommy DeVito has the makings of a serviceable backup
DeVito might not have to move out of his parents' house anytime soon if he continues to perform at this level. The undrafted rookie and New Jersey native was stellar in his third career start, completing 18-of-26 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns. Since being named New York's starting quarterback, DeVito has thrown for 507 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions.
Despite the fact that backup Tyrod Taylor is expected to return from his rib injury potentially as early as Week 14, HC Brian Daboll shouldn't be so quick to re-insert the veteran into the lineup. Taylor is only signed through this season and since he's 34 years old, he's not a long-term answer as a backup quarterback. DeVito might not have many, if any, three-touchdown performances left in him, but he's showing enough signs of improvement that he should be in contention to be New York's backup of the future.
QB Daniel Jones’ future gets a little brighter
While the Giants should enjoy their hard-fought victory, it comes at the cost of draft position and in an already lost season, a win may cause mixed feelings. According to Tankathon, the Giants are projected to land the fifth overall pick, which is good news for Jones, who is out for the season with a torn ACL.
New York entered Sunday's action holding the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and in the running to land USC's Caleb Williams or UNC's Drake Maye, two blue-chip quarterback prospects it has scouted multiple times this season. With Jones having an out in his four-year, $160 million contract after the 2024 season, many have speculated the Giants would draft a quarterback if possible, though it's unlikely either Williams or Maye would be available at fifth overall.
Although there's still time before the draft order is official, there's reason to believe the Giants will remain out of range for a top quarterback. The Philadelphia Eagles (8-1) are the only team with a winning record left on New York's schedule. The jury's still out on whether Jones is a franchise quarterback, but the Giants paid him as such and if they can't secure a suitable replacement, they must spend their first-round pick on someone who could help him develop.
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