[jwplayer Mve09ec0-ThvAeFxT]
The New York Giants finished the 2019 season 23rd in overall offense (18th passing, 19th rushing) and that was without playing a single game with their full complement of weapons and a rookie quarterback.
Somehow, pundits are predicting the Giants’ offense to be worse in 2020. That’s hard to fathom, especially since they have new coaching staff, a revamped offensive line, quarterback Daniel Jones is a year older and stronger and the entire unit is healthy and intact.
Pro Football Focus, in their latest rankings of NFL offenses as we approach the 2020 regular season, has the Giants 26th. I guess they need to actually see what Jason Garrett has cooked up before they move Big Blue up in the rankings.
The Giants have a solid set of skill position players. At running back, Saquon Barkley has helped them rank sixth in expected points added per rush since 2018 and is a dynamic receiver (tied for third in 15-plus yard reception in that span at 22).
Golden Tate leads the wide receiver room and fared well while playing a different role in 2019 than what we were accustomed to seeing with him in years prior. He forced significantly fewer broken tackles after the catch (20-plus in each season from 2012 to 2018, but only six in 2019), but this was due to a far lower rate of screens and an uptick in vertical routes. Tate actually produced the seventh-best receiving grade on such routes. In addition, the receiving unit has two other good options in Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton, who both produced relatively average PFF grades above 70.0 last year.
The real key to New York finding offensive success in 2020 is for Daniel Jones to stop putting the ball in harm’s way. While Jones did have some fearless and impressive reps on tape under pressure (tied for fifth-most big-time throws under pressure with 11), he gave the opportunity for the defense to make an impactful play far too often — from forced throws to fumbles. His 5.5% turnover-worthy play rate led the rookie class by a considerable margin and was the fifth-worst mark we have seen from a rookie quarterback since 2006.
Okay, we get it. Jones coughed the ball up too often. Rookie mistake that won’t be tolerated under new head coach Joe Judge and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. If he is protected better and makes better choices with the football, there is no way the Giants are a worse offense this season.
[vertical-gallery id=655072]