NY Giants Tight Ends Have Been Invisible in This Key Area

The reasons for that seem head-scratching, particularly when considering the size advantage most tight ends have in terms of making a contested catch over a smaller defender. 

Last year, the Giants tight ends went 10 of 12 (83.3%) on contested catches, and yet when it came to the red zone, they were only targeted four times (one each for Theo Johnson, Daniel Bellinger, Chris Manhertz and Greg Dulcich), the tight ends coming up with two receptions (50%) and one touchdown.

The reason for the lack of red zone targets for the tight ends likely stems from the receivers taking center stage in the passing game, particularly Malik Nabers. 

But when it came to the red zone, Nabers caught five of 13 targets (38.5%) and three touchdowns as part of the three-man receiver group (Nabers, Darius Slayton, and Wan’Dale Robinson) that collectively finished with just 15 receptions on 35 pass targets (42.8%) and six touchdowns.

What’s more is that the offensive strategy doesn’t appear ready to be moving off of prioritizing the wide outs in the red zone passing game anytime soon.

Bellinger, who is the longest tenured Giants tight end, believes that it’s just a matter of the group doing their jobs better, not just in the red zone but outside of it as well.  

“There's stuff that is designed for us, but it's our job to build that trust with (quarterback) Russ (Wilson) and the other quarterbacks and get the ball and make the opportunities when we get them.” 

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