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The New York Giants have a lot of boom potential entering the 2021 regular-season thanks to an overhaul of their roster over the previous two offseasons. But despite the reasons for optimism, there is some bust potential as well.
What if left tackle Andrew Thomas doesn’t improve? What if the youth at guard holds the Giants back? What if Daniel Jones can’t put it together despite his new weapons? And what if Saquon Barkley can’t return to form?
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All of those fears are legitimate and those busts would be damning for the franchise. But Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report doesn’t necessarily view any of those concerns as the Giants’ biggest bust potential.
In a list breaking down each team’s biggest potential bust, Sobleski actually turns to the defensive side of the ball and settles on lineman Leonard Williams.
Leonard Williams finally emerged last season as the player so many expected when the New York Jets originally chose the defensive lineman with the sixth overall pick in the 2015 draft.
Williams registered 11.5 sacks after only putting up 17.5 during his first five seasons. He re-signed with the New York Giants this offseason on a three-year, $63 million contract.
The massive payday will change how those around the league view Williams. He’s now expected to be a dominant force, but therein lies the problem.
“Talented, just doesn’t put it together consistently,” an NFC scout told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
A regression from his double-digit sack campaign could be forthcoming. Williams looked great a year ago, but he hasn’t been that player for an extended period of time. With salary-cap hits exceeding $25 million in 2022 and ’23, questions about his deal will come to the forefront.
Williams’ time with the New York Jets continues to shape the perception of him as a player and it shouldn’t. The Giants and general manager Dave Gettleman saw something more in Williams and guaranteed they could get it out of him. And they did.
Even if Williams fails to reach double-digit sacks in 2021, if he’s able to collapse the pocket and lead to sacks for other players like rookie edge rusher Azeez Ojulari, then he’s still doing his job effectively and productively.
Considering Williams is an ascending player, the chances he busts this season are slim-to-none. He’s the least of the Giants’ concerns.
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