Breaking: 5 New York Giants players that have the greatest work ahead of them in 2024.
The 2024 season is not just the New York Giants’ 100th in the league, but it also looks to be one of the most important in the club’s history.
This is the third season under Joe Schoen Brian Daboll’s leadership. They had a dismal 6-11 record the previous year after going 9-7-1 in 2022 and won the team’s first playoff game since Super Bowl XLVI.
Ownership will be keeping a close eye on Schoen and Daboll this season as the verdict is still out on their ability to turn the team around and make it back to the elite. However, there are other team members that have much to prove this coming season besides the general manager and head coach.
The five New York Giants who have the most to prove in 2024 are listed below.
Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones has to face the consequences. This will be his farewell season in New York if he endures another season marred by injuries and upheaval. After this season, Jones won’t have any guaranteed money left, giving the organization financial flexibility to contract a seasoned quarterback or select a QB prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft.
In an attempt to select North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, the team attempted to trade up to the third choice with the New England Patriots in the 2024 Draft; however, the Patriots ultimately desired Maye more than anything that New York had to offer.
The 27-year-old quarterback needs to stay healthy and perform even better than he did in 2022, when he set a career high with a 92.5 quarterback rating and tossed 15 touchdowns to just five interceptions, if he wants to stay in New York after this season.
Evan Neal
Neal has been the subject of more scrutiny than any other Giant, aside from Jones, and for good reason. Neal battled severely in his poor rookie season in 2022, and he didn’t show any improvement in the following season. Some would even argue that he regressed.
His lack of technique and footwork allowed edge rushers to defeat him outside, and in a fit of rage, he insulted the supporters. His 2023 season ended after just seven games due to an injury in his left ankle, raising doubts about his future.
While some think Neal would be better off playing guard instead of right tackle, the team is hopeful that new offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo can bring out the best in Neal. Should he keep struggling, the team may bench him in favor of Jermaine Eluemunor, whom they signed in free agency.
Without a doubt, the 2024 campaign will determine whether or not the seventh overall choice in the 2022 NFL Draft is selected.
Darius Slayton
Ever since the team selected Slayton with the 171st overall pick in the 2019 draft, he has emerged as the most exceptional and trustworthy wide receiver on the team. In four of his five seasons, he has led the team in receiving yards, and he set a career high with 770 yards last year.
However, he is about to enter the last year of his deal, and even though the Giants restructured it so he could earn an extra $650,000 in incentives, it appears like this will be his final season with the organization. Schoen has selected three wide receivers in the last three seasons: Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, and this year, Malik Nabers, with the sixth overall pick.
Hyatt has the potential to develop into one of the league’s top deep threats, and Robinson is set to emerge as one of the top slot receivers. It is anticipated that Nabers would provide the team with their first legitimate number-one wide receiver since Odell Beckham Jr.
Even with his consistency, it’s difficult to imagine a situation in which the organization decides to give Slayton’s return top priority, especially if the other three receivers perform as expected. To return in 2025, the 27-year-old Slayton would require a career year.
Devin Singletary
The difficult challenge of replacing Saquon Barkley, who signed with the Eagles via free agency, falls to Singletary. Barkley was the team’s top offensive skill position player, so Singletary’s performance will always be judged against Barkley’s, whether that comparison is fair or not.
While Singletary has never amassed 1,000 yards of rushing in a season, he is a dependable and adaptable back. In fact, his career yards per carry are better than Barkley’s (4.6 to 4.3). Simply put, he lacks his predecessor’s explosiveness and ability to score from any spot on the field.
This offseason, the team made improvements to the offensive line, which could enable Singletary produce more spectacular plays. However, all eyes will be on the team’s newest number 26, if that doesn’t materialize.
Brian Burns
The Giants and the Carolina Panthers pulled off a spectacular trade this offseason in which New York received the #166th pick in this year’s draft and the Panthers received the 141st pick. In exchange for Brian Burns, the Giants sent a 2024 second-round pick (39th overall) and a 2025 fifth-round pick.
Subsequently, Burns was signed by the organization to a five-year contract worth up to $150 million, with $87.5 million guaranteed.
Over his five seasons in Carolina, the 26-year-old Burns has amassed 46 sacks, including a career-high 12 ½ in 2022. With his arrival, New York is anticipated to have one of the greatest defensive front sevens in the league, having been selected to the Pro Bowl in 2021 and 2022.
The only question left is whether he can fulfill the demands of being among the league’s highest-paid players. Not every player is prepared to compete in this market where decisions are closely watched. The success of the squad in 2024 will be greatly influenced by how well the team’s newest pass rusher performs.
