When the New York Giants signed wide receiver Kenny Golladay to a four-year, $72 million contract last offseason, many were excited over his potential.
Unfortunately for the Giants and Golladay, that potential was not reached. He finished the season with just 37 receptions for 521 yards and no touchdowns.
Entering the 2022 season, Golladay now prepares to take on a new role in a new offense under a new head coach. And once again, there’s all sorts of hype for his potential.
If Kenny Golladay can stay healthy, he has potential in the Giants new offense👀👀 pic.twitter.com/mg3YnrLjT3
— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) July 14, 2022
Pro Football Focus and Nathan Jahnke didn’t stop there, either. They also named Golladay a potential fantasy sleeper at wide receiver this coming season.
New Giants head coach Brian Daboll provides Golladay’s fantasy managers with a real reason for optimism in 2022.
Daboll was the offensive coordinator for a Bills‘ offense that was built around hitch routes. The Bills’ offense has gained 1,616 receiving yards from 162 receptions on hitch routes the last two seasons. Overall, Buffalo has gained 500-plus yards and 60-plus receptions more than any other team on hitches in that time. Luckily, Golladay has thrived running that route throughout his career.
Golladay’s success is contingent on staying healthy while Daniel Jones improved as a passer. If both come true, Golladay can be a top-10 fantasy receiver again. Most wide receivers getting drafted in Golladay’s range need both improved play and an injury to another receiver.
Golladay turning into a top-10 receiver and doing a lot of his damage on hitch routes is certainly something the Giants will take. However, it feels a bit pie in the sky given Golladay’s extremely underwhelming performance in 2021.
