Latest news with #NewYorkGiants'
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Quarterback named New York Giants' biggest weakness entering 2025 season
Quarterback named New York Giants' biggest weakness entering 2025 season New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen had a long to-do list after a 3-14 showing in 2024. He managed to get most of it covered but there are still boundless questions about how well Schoen did. In their recent analysis breaking down each NFL team's "strengths, weaknesses and X-factors for every starting lineup," the folks at Pro Football Focus listed the Giants' biggest weakness from 2024 to be at the quarterback position. The Giants' passing game simply couldn't function consistently in 2024 with Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy Devito and Tim Boyle throwing passes. The team ranked 30th in the NFL in PFF passing grade while accumulating just 15 big-time throws and 24 turnover-worthy plays. Luckily, they've overhauled their quarterback room by adding veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, along with first-round pick Jaxson Dart, who led the FBS with a 91.9 PFF passing grade in 2024 Schoen attacked that vigorously this offseason by adding free agent veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston and landing Jaxson Dart in the 2025 NFL draft. The quarterback play should be significantly improved in 2025. The Giants already look like a different team at organized team activities (OTAs). Wilson, a 10-time Pro Bowler, and a Super Bowl champion, adds legitimacy to the quarterback room and on the practice field. There's no denying Winston's strong arm and presence as well. Tommy DeVito adds a swagger and local flavor but Dart is certainly the future. He has shown talent, poise, and potential leadership in his short time here with Big Blue.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
New York Giants' Jordon Riley swaps jersey numbers with veteran Roy Robertson-Harris
New York Giants' Jordon Riley swaps jersey numbers with veteran Roy Robertson-Harris Best DT in the NFL giving Jordon Riley some tips — Zain (@ThisIsNotZain) May 28, 2025 The jersey number swaps continued this week at the New York Giants facility in East Rutherford. After a slew of trades and changes over the past few weeks, another one was announced this week. Defensive lineman Jordan Riley relinquished his No. 95 to incoming free-agent defensive end Ray Robertson-Harris. Riley will now wear No. 99. Riley was a seventh-round selection out of Oregon in the 2023 NFL draft. He has appeared in 21 games, starting five in his Giants career. Robertson-Harris, a nine-year veteran who spent last year in Seattle after four years in both Jacksonville and Chicago, was signed to a two-year, $9 million deal earlier this spring. Robertson-Harris wore No. 95 in both Jacksonville and Chicago. He wore No. 98 with Seattle last season. The jersey number swaps happen in the preseason since they are not allowed once the season begins, per an email sent out by the league last October, clarifying the process: For competitive reasons, no player may change his uniform number once the regular season begins. Players on the practice squad that have not been on the Active List for a regular season game are permitted to change jersey numbers in order to make an approved number available for a new player on the Active List. Special exceptions to this rule may be considered by the NFL Football Operations department depending on the circumstances (e.g., player traded to another team). The jersey number changes are likely to continue straight through the preseason.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
New York Giants' Jevon Holland dubbed bounce-back candidate for 2025
New York Giants' Jevon Holland dubbed bounce-back candidate for 2025 The New York Giants made a big splash this offseason to address the secondary, adding one of the most sought-after free agents on the market. With a clear need to upgrade the safety position, general manager Joe Schoen brought in former Miami Dolphins star Jevon Holland to East Rutherford on a three-year deal worth $45.3 million in hopes the former second-round pick could help establish a young foundation in Shane Bowen's defense. While the move as a whole was generally well-received, Holland was named the Giants' top bounce-back candidate for the 2025 campaign by Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus. Miami let Holland walk in free agency after he posted a career-low 57.1 coverage grade in 2024. However, his 91.3 coverage grade since 2021 still ranks tied for fifth among qualified safeties, highlighting his overall consistency before last season. Holland thrives as a deep-roaming free safety in single-high coverages, a promising fit under new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, whose defense ranked sixth in single-high usage during the 2024 regular season. Pairing Holland with another young safety in Tyler Nubin, who was New York's second-round pick in 2024, allows the Giants to build a stronger secondary entering the second season under Bowen as the defensive coordinator. Both Holland and Nubin have experience playing various roles within the secondary, but the former thrives in pass coverage. Though PFF gave Holland a career-low coverage grade, the Oregon product posted career-best marks in passer rating allowed (89.0) and completion percentage allowed (54.2%) in coverage during the 2024 season, according to Pro Football Reference's advanced metrics. The Giants' defense will be defined by what they get from the improved pass rush, but it's encouraging that the unit was able to upgrade the secondary with a marquee player still entering his prime.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
New York Giants' Brian Daboll speaks at OTAs: 5 takeaways
New York Giants' Brian Daboll speaks at OTAs: 5 takeaways The New York Giants were out on the field on Wednesday for their second of 10 organized team activity (OTA) practices this spring. Head coach Brian Daboll met the media in the morning before the workout. Here are some quick takeaways. Perfect attendance Daboll was obviously pleased with the perfect attendance at the voluntary workouts thus far. Malik Nabers sits Phase 3, which began on Tuesday, will consist of non-contact football activities such as 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. Daboll said second-year wideout Malik Nabers would not participate due to an ongoing toe issue. Quarterback plan Daboll also noted that all the quarterbacks would get reps in drills, including first-round pick Jaxson Dart who has not yet come to terms on his rookie deal as of yet. Injury updates In addition, Daboll said that left tackle Andrew Thomas will not work. Thomas was held to just six games last season with a foot injury and is recovering from surgery. Other players who will take it slow in these drills are defensive backs Anthony Johnson (shoulder) and free agent signee Paulson Adebo, who broke his leg last year. Daboll mentioned that All-Pro defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence (elbow) and guard Jon Runyan (ankle) were "coming along" as well. Evan Neal, guard Apparently, the plan to move former first-round pick Evan Neal from tackle to guard is in motion. Whether Neal also sees reps at tackle is uncertain.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
New York Giants' Deonte Banks looking to bounce back from sophomore slump
New York Giants' Deonte Banks looking to bounce back from sophomore slump The New York Giants added seven new faces to their roster in the 2023 NFL draft, headlined by cornerback Deonte Banks. The 24th overall pick played well in his rookie campaign, recording 64 tackles (53 solo), two interceptions, 11 passes defensed, and two stuffs. In 2024, Banks hit a sophomore slump, and the stats don't adequately sum up his season. Banks recorded 52 tackles (39 solo), one forced fumble, 12 passes defensed, and one stuff in 2024, but his attitude was a bigger problem than his lack of production. He seemingly gave up on plays and put forth so little effort that Brian Daboll was forced to bench him last season. Banks knows he's under scrutiny this year, though, and it is possible to bounce back from a sophomore slump. CBS Sports named Banks as one of nine NFL players looking to bounce back in 2025. Banks was somewhat solid in coverage during his debut season with the Giants. He allowed a passer rating of 84.7 on throws in his direction, per Pro Football Focus, while yielding 1.35 yards per coverage snap and allowing four touchdowns against two interceptions. In 2024, he allowed more yards in coverage than the previous year despite being targeted 19 fewer times. He gave up a 124.7 passer rating while allowing six touchdowns and not picking off a pass, and he hemorrhaged 1.55 yards per coverage snap. Along with the rest of the Giants, he took a step backward. He'll have a chance to improve in 2025, but heading into the third year of his rookie contract, it might be his last chance to prove he has staying power. As Banks enters the third year of his contract, the Giants will decide on picking up his fifth-year option when the season is over. He will have to prove that he is in this for the long haul and that he is willing to put in the work day in and day out to get the job done. And he has to do it with a better attitude than what we saw in 2024. Banks is a solid corner who could be great with a little effort. But he has to be willing to put in the work, which means not giving up on plays. If he can do that, he'll have a much better shot at staying in New York when his rookie contract expires.
