Giants Named as One of 10 Teams Primed to Make Major Jump in 2024
The New York Giants need to be better in 2024 than they were in 2023, and while there are probably some who question how much of a leap the team can take in one off-season, USA Today's Nate Davis believes Big Blue will be among ten NFL teams that take a significant jump in the year ahead.
"A team looking to get to the top of the NFC East may have to do so without free agent RB Saquon Barkley," Davis wrote. "The Giants, who need to get QB Daniel Jones right in 2024, currently have roughly $19 million to spend in free agency, pick sixth overall, and own an extra second-rounder after dealing DL Leonard Williams to the Seattle Seahawks at last year’s trade deadline."
On the surface, that doesn't sound like a lot of resources for New York to shore up a roster that had several depth issues exposed last year amid an injury-filled season. But in looking at last season, the Giants entered 2023 intent on running it back on the success it had achieved in 2022 with its 9-7-1 record that got them to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
As part of the effort to build up the roster, general manager Joe Schoen handed out multiple long-term extensions to players such as interior defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, left tackle Andrew Thomas, and quarterback Daniel Jones.
They also added inside linebacker Bobby Okereke in free agency, one of Schoen's best free-agent signings to date, and they traded one of the draft picks they acquired from Kansas City in the Kadarius Toney to Las Vegas to acquire tight end Darren Waller.
Their 2023 draft class also looked promising, as led by first-round pick Deonte Banks, a cornerback out of Maryland who had a solid rookie season, recording 11 pass deflections and two interceptions.
In the end, the Giants, who fell into a 2-8 hole that saw them getting blown out by two or more scores in most of those first eight losses, weren't good enough to compete, even as injuries ate away at their roster.
That's why this off-season is critical for Schoen, Daboll, and the rest of the Giants staff as they look to assemble a team that could very well have some new faces on the offensive line outside linebacker, defensive secondary, and offensive backfield.
The Giants are expected to make moves to create more cap space on top of their $11,629,144 in effective space that will go toward free agents. It's anticipated the Giants will target the offensive line, cornerback, quarterback, and edge rusher in free agency.
Regarding the draft, the Giants currently have seven picks, four of them being within the first 70 selections. Those picks are important in terms of adding top talent and could be used as bargaining chips to move around the board.
Schoen's roster rebuild plan will start to take shape over the next few weeks, making it an exciting time for Giants fans disappointed by last season's results.
