6. Daniel Jones, New York Giants
The New York Giants are going to be asked this question for years. Why did they draft Daniel Jones with a top 10 pick? Did anyone around the league believe someone would jump them at 17? Is Dave Gettleman just trying to watch a team burn?
No matter what you think of Jones, New York isn’t giving him any favors when it comes to his unit. The positive news is Saquon Barkley thrived as a rookie and is expected to only grow in his sophomore season. At the same time, the former No.2 pick will become a big target because he might be the team’s top weapon.
Last season, Barkley became just the third rookie in NFL history to collect 2,000 total yards from scrimmage. That was on a roster featuring Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, and Evan Engram. With Beckham now out in Cleveland, Barkley likely will be an apparent check-down option for Jones and reliable weapon should coverage be tight downfield.
Shepard has been a promising slot receiver for the Giants over the past three years. Collecting 2,286 yards and 14 touchdowns, according to Pro Football Reference, New York extending the former Sooner to a new four-year extension. Shepard, however, has yet to finish with a 1,000-yard season and is limited to finding his success in the slot.
Engram is a flex tight end and should see plenty of targets, but still isn’t a polished route runner. Golden Tate will need to learn to play on the outside if he’s to be considered a starter. Most of his above-average seasons in Detroit came from when he lined up in the slot.
Jones could be a franchise quarterback, but it likely won’t be with this unit. If only New York had a reliable target downfield to help him grow.
Oh wait, they did.