The New York Giants, winners of just 12 games over the past three seasons, need all 53 players to step up their games in 2020 if they are going to turn around their listing ship.
We could go through the whole roster and examine what each player needs to do this year, but instead we’ll just pick five. Here they are.
Lorenzo Carter, outside linebacker
The Giants swore they stole Carter in the third round in 2018 and many agreed. Then there were some NFL evaluators that claimed he fell to the third round for a reason.
Carter was a highly-touted recruit coming out of high school who many believe didn’t fulfill his promise at Georgia. The Giants have seen the latter out of Carter in his first two seasons in East Rutherford. He’s shown flashes, but he’s got be more consistent and play up to his abilities.
Leonard Williams, defensive lineman
The Giants have a ton invested in Williams and now Williams has to rise up to meet the challenge. He came in last season and made an impact. The Giants’ defensive front gelled around him and played better against the run. The pass rush has to improve however, and new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham will need Williams to lead the way in that facet as well.
Williams is being paid like a Pro Bowl player and the Giants need him to play like one in 2020 and beyond.
Nate Solder, offensive tackle
Solder’s job is literally on the line. This could be his last year in blue no matter what he does on the field. The Giants went out and drafted two tackles in the first three rounds of the draft (Andrew Thomas and Matthew Peart) and signed another (Cam Fleming) in free agency.
If Solder comes to camp and shows that he hasn’t upped his game over last year’s disappointing performance, he’ll be either bumped to right tackle or the bench.
The 32-year-old Solder is on the bubble, the clock or whatever analogy you want to use this summer.
Evan Engram, tight end
Engram’s issue is simple. He needs to stay healthy.
Last year, Engram was hobbled by a foot injury, limiting his season to just six starts. The Giants do not have explosive wideouts and need Engram to create mismatches in the passing game. He can’t do that from the sideline.
The club exercised Engram’s fifth-year option this past spring but if he can’t advance his career to the next level, he could possibly be spending that fifth-year elsewhere.
Daniel Jones, quarterback
Jones made some eye-popping plays in 2019, which is both good and bad for the Giants. He had three games where threw four of more touchdowns, but his ball security was a major problem. He led the league in lost fumbles and threw too many ill-advised passes. Most of his miscues turned out to be costly.
New offensive coordinator Jason Garrett will work on Jones’ game this summer to help him cut down on his risky decisions and increase his grip on the football. If he can do that, Jones has a chance at becoming a very productive NFL quarterback.
