Expectations for a bounce-back season for the New York Giants are high in 2024 after a forgetful season in 2023. The Giants after making the playoffs in 2022 fell well short of expectations as “Big Blue” went 6-11 last season and missed the playoffs for the sixth time in the last eight seasons. Now, the Giants enter this upcoming season with not only some new pieces on their roster but saying goodbye to long-time and fan-favorite players as well. From losing Running Back Saquon Barkley to the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency and Pro Bowl safety Xavier McKinney now playing for the Green Bay Packers, will another major step back for the New York Giants in 2024 be imminent?
While the Giants did add some talented players to their roster by drafting Wide Receiver Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick, as well as acquiring pass rusher Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers, what kind of season should be expected? With less than three weeks to go before the start of the season, here are three bold predictions for the New York Giants in 2024.
The Giants Pass Rush Will Be Top Five
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The Giants defense has a real chance to be one of the best defenses in the league in 2024. Their pass rush got much better this offseason as they went out to not only trade for Pro Bowl pass rusher Brian Burns but gave him a five-year, $141 million deal. Now that Burns is a New York Giant, this defensive front for New York may be one of the best this season.
Burns put up amazing stats during his five years with the Panthers as the former first round pick posted a total of 46 sacks in those five years. Burns has also had nine sacks or more in his last three seasons for the Panthers including a career-high, 12.5 sacks just two years ago. Plus, it’s not just Burns who may be in for a huge season for the Giants in 2024.
The Giants are also expecting a big third season in former first round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux as after having just four sacks in his rookie year, he put up 11.5 last season, so another big year may be on the horizon. The Giants also have Nose Tackle Dexter Lawrence who despite having just 4.5 sacks last year, is still an elite pass rusher and his presence can surely be felt. New York also has a solid linebacker core with Bobby Okereke leading the way who played every single snap for the Giants last season.
This is a defense that does not get talked about much. They have a chance this season to prove just how good this defensive front can be. Despite not having high expectations for this New York Giants team in 2024, they still have a realistic possibility of being a top five pass rush in the NFL.
Malik Nabers Will Have A 1,000 Yard Season
It has been a long time coming since the Giants had a wide receiver put up a 1,000-yard season, try 2018. Yes, it has been six years since the Giants last saw a wideout have that kind of season as Odell Beckham Jr. was the last player to do just that. However, the addition of another former LSU Tiger may change that this season.
While there are certainly questions for the Giants at the quarterback position, Wide Receiver Malik Nabers has looked great in both training camp and the preseason this summer. It would not be a surprise if Nabers put up 1,000 yards in his rookie season. Nabers was a highly coveted draft prospect and rightfully so as he put up over 1,000 yards receiving in his last two seasons in college as well as having an impressive showing in the Giants preseason game on Saturday. Nabers had four catches for 54 yards against the Houston Texans and also made an impressive sideline catch in the game.
Nabers is a generational talent and despite the Giants having a struggling offense over the last few years, adding a player like Malik Nabers could change all of that. This offense will be much better because of a player like Nabers and if he has a 1,000-yard season through the air, it will not be the least bit shocking.
Daniel Jones Will Get Benched This Season
Without question, this is a critical year for Giants Quarterback Daniel Jones. After getting a contract last season that pays him nearly $40 million a year, Jones saw his 2023 season cut short to just six games as a neck and torn ACL disappointingly ended his season. Jones is on a short leash this year and getting benched is a move that should not be a surprise if the Giants decide to go in that direction.
In his first live game action since suffering that torn ACL last November, Jones on just his second series of the game threw a bad interception that ended up being returned for a touchdown. Jones also had another interception in that game against the Texans which made Giants fans concerned about what may come in 2024.
While the Giants quarterback did lead the offense on a couple of scoring drives and made some nice deep throws, the turnovers are still problematic for Jones. Head Coach Brian Daboll has made his thoughts known as those turnovers that Jones made should not and can not happen. Benching the Giants’ former first round pick could be likely. From the Giants signing Drew Lock and also having fan favorite Tommy DeVito on their roster, could the New York Giants go a different direction at quarterback?
