New York Giants Free Agency/Draft Preview: Tight Ends a Sneaky Need
Before the New York Giants 2023 season started, the expectations were high for the tight-end position. Second-year man Daniel Bellinger was coming off an encouraging rookie season. The Giants then acquired Darren Waller in the offseason via a trade, and throughout training camp, it looked like the tight ends, and specifically, Waller would be a focal point of the offense.
It is unclear if the injuries to Waller or some other reason caused the Giants to back off from deploying the tight ends, from what we had seen in training camp. Still, all that creativity that had us excited with the possibilities on offense went out the window once the regular season arrived, and in the end, both Waller and Bellinger had underwhelming seasons.
This position group has more questions than answers going into 2024. The team needs better production from the position as a whole and needs to be more consistent if the team expects to see any benefits from the performance of their tight end.
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Personnel Recap
- Under Contract: Darren Waller, Daniel Bellinger
- UFAs: N/A
- RFA: Lawrence Cager
- ERFA: N/A
Waller’s 2023 season was only a little more efficient than his final two seasons with the Raiders. He only played in 11 games, and his 10.6 yards per reception was the lowest since his first two seasons in the NFL with Baltimore. Waller showed he could be a factor, but he also showed the durability issues that made the Raiders punt on him and left questions about his future in New York.
Many fans hoped that operating as the TE2 on the team would allow Bellinger to take the next step in his professional development. While he showed signs that he can be a reliable possession receiver, inconsistent blocking probably cost him more snaps. If he does not want to become a situational tight end, it is where he will need to improve this offseason.
Cager was used sparingly on offense but did account for half the possible snaps on special teams before landing on injured reserve to close out the season. He will likely not be on the roster next season as the team looks to add more true tight-end depth. Cager is a wide-receiver convert and has not added much value as a blocker.
Darren Waller
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Top 3 Questions to Be Answered
1. Can Waller return to elite status with a second season in the Giants' offense?
It would be interesting to figure out if the epic amount of injuries to the offensive line completely short-circuited the entire offense and the creativity that many thought they would see in 2023. That is no more evident than at tight end where Waller was supposed to be a focal point of the offense.
It never materialized, and then injuries struck Waller. He flashed the big play ability throughout the season, making you believe that if he was healthy and the offense was operating as it was meant to, he could reach the level he enjoyed as a Raider. That would open up so many other receivers in the passing game.
2. Will Bellinger take the next step in his progression?
Bellinger looked bigger and stronger in his second season than in his rookie campaign, but that did not equate to consistently being a more forceful and effective blocker.
Bellinger did look more explosive as a receiver but is likely to top out as a decent possession receiver. The next step for Bellinger is to become a consistently effective blocker. He needs to work on his leverage and continue to run his feet after contact.
3. Will tight end be a focal point of the offense in 2024?
When Wan’Dale Robinson returned from injury last season, there was a concerted effort to get the football in his hands. Many expected that from Waller, but injuries got in the way.
If this offense wants to take the next step, they must involve their tight ends more. That would draw defenders more into the middle intermediate areas or flat areas, opening up opportunities outside and over the top of the defense. They must work their multi-tight end formations to take advantage of nickel and dime packages in the run game or base packages in the passing game.
Daniel Bellinger
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Draft or Free Agency?
The Giants need to add blocking talent at the position, and there are not many guys in the draft that the Giants will likely be willing to use a draft pick on. Unless they plan to hit the reset button and bring in Georgia's Brock Bowers with their first-round pick, it is probably a better decision to focus on bringing in a guy in free agency.
There are all types of tight ends in free agency this year. There are older journeymen or young, inexperienced players. There are various body types to fill many different roles on an offense.
Dec 10, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Denver Broncos tight end Adam Trautman (82) scores a touchdown during the second half in a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
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Top Three Free Agents to Target
Adam Trautman, Denver Broncos: Trautman was a guy who came out of college as a celebrated pass receiver and proved that he could be a high-level blocker. It is the reason why he was in Denver this past season. As a free agent, he could be a great addition to either pair with Waller and Bellinger or possibly replace Waller.
Geoff Swaim, Arizona Cardinals: Swaim made his name as a blocking tight end years ago with the Cowboys. He's carved out a significant role with the Titans and Jaguars. He continued to be an effective blocker for the Cardinals this past season and could be just the blocking complement this Giants offense needs.
Drew Sample, Cincinnati Bengals: Sample was a relied-up option in 2023 primarily because he excelled as a blocker in the run-and-pass game. He understands how to work in a tight end collective and could be effective in a limited or major role. He has also shown versatility, with the Bengals lining up all over the offense.
