After a successful debut season with the New York Giants, quarterback Daniel Jones is worth keeping an eye on when the NFL returns.
While much of the off season has been swept up in Tom Brady’s move to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a quarterback-filled 2020 Draft, the second-year New York Giants starter Daniel Jones will be one to look out for when the NFL returns.
Touted as a breakout player this year by Bleacher Report, the young quarterback, who played college football at Duke, had a mixed bag of a first season but for the most part showed positive signs.
Drafted at number six last year, the crowd’s reaction was less than positive – the MetLife rang out with boos, driven by Jones’s selection over Dwayne Haskins, now at the Washington Redskins, and Drew Lock of the Denver Broncos, both viewed as better draft prospects but both of whom had less impressive rookie seasons, for varying reasons.
His first start over Eli Manning came in the Giants’ third-week match against the Buccaneers, and the then-rookie marked it with a statement – 23/36 passes, 336 passing yards, two passings touchdowns, 28 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, including one to take the lead, and a tidy 32-31 comeback victory.
He went on to have a strong rookie season which showed constant improvement, winning two weekly awards for his performances and totalling a substantial 3, 027 passing yards, 24 passings TDs, 45 carries, 279 rushing yards. Conversely though, he led the league in fumbles and had thrown for 12 interceptions.
It has be be remembered that this is his rookie season. Initially, Jones hadn’t expected to be a starter for what was likely another two seasons but had to take over from veteran Manning, a two-time Super Bowl MVP with the Giants. He also came in as the sixth-pick in the draft and the pressure of that choice. For context, the last five sixth-picks had all made the Pro Bowl at least once.
For the most part, the problem was far from in Daniel Jones’ hands, being one of seven QBs to have no red-zone interceptions and throwing for the joint-third most TDs away from home. No, the issue was right in front of him.
Despite the additions of Nate Solder and Will Hernandez, to name a few, the offensive line was out of shape and allowed Jones to be sacked 38 times last season. Evidently a problem that was high on new coach Joe Judge’s to-do list, picking three players of that area in this year’s draft; offensive tackles Andrew Thomas and Matt Peart, and guard Shane Lemiux.
While Jones faced the pressure of would-be sackers, he was also trying to found an outlet for his passing. But not once last season did the Giants have all their best receiving options playing together. It’s as thought Liverpool were unable to play Mane, Firmino and Salah together.
Running back Saquon Barkley, wide receivers Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton, and tight end Evan Engram were all injury-plagued, while another target man in Cory Coleman tore his ACL before the season could begin, ultimately leaving Jones short of higher quality attacking options.
For a rookie providing what he did given the lack in other areas, the changes won’t be welcome enough, particularly in the coaching staff as the Giants welcome offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, perhaps one of the best offensive play-callers in the league.
Garrett spent three years in New York as a quarterback and has a good coaching resume. A former quarterback coach at the Miami Dolphins, and recent head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, where he worked with the prolific Dak Prescott, Garrett’s pedigree will be crucial for the development of Jones.
Things could be about to go a much sought after change for the New York Giants, who won their last Super Bowl nine years ago, and haven’t made the playoffs since 2016. A much discussed rebuild has so far tried and failed, with wayward trade and draft strategies doing more damage than good.
The 2020/21 NFL season will be a big one for many players, and none more so than Daniel Jones, who will leak to spearhead a rejuvenated New York Giants side.
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