What Does The Future Hold For The New York Giants?

The Shield takes a position-by-position look at what the New York Giants need to do during the offseason

Shane Palma, Sports Editor

Rest easy Giants fans, not all hope is lost, yet. This season has been a major disappointment, marred by injuries and poor coaching decisions. With a roster loaded with talent, this year was far from what many fans expected.

So as the team finishes what has been a disastrous 2-10 season, what’s next?

With a projected top-5 pick, the Giants will look to add some outstanding young talent through the draft. Could some trades be in the works as well? And is it time to cut some veterans loose? Here is a blueprint for what the Giants need to do in order to gain respectability again for their fans.

Quarterback: After benching two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning for Geno Smith, it’s clear that the front office is looking to go in a different direction. Where will Manning end up? There have been multiple rumors and speculations going around that Eli will join his former coach Tom Coughlin in Jacksonville, replacing the struggling Blake Bortles, who has proven to not be the answer for a team with a top-notch defense. Others believe Manning will head to Denver and play his final years for the Broncos, following the same path of his older brother Peyton. In my opinion, I don’t see Smith or rookie Davis Webb being the answer to their problem. Instead, they should turn to the draft and select one of the premier quarterbacks available, including USC’s Sam Darnold, UCLA’s Josh Rosen, Louisville’s Lamar Jackson, or Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield.

Receivers: Although Sterling Shepard is their current WR1, this position (along with Evan Engram at TE), is not an issue. Brandon Marshall and Odell Beckham Jr. are incredible wideouts who unfortunately had their seasons ended prematurely, both with severe leg injuries. Adding these two WRs to the current crop will make this a very strong position for next season.

Running Back: Le’Veon Bell in a Giants jersey? No chance. With Bell being an unrestricted free agent this offseason, he’ll be looking to get PAID. And unfortunately for Big Blue, the team is not in a financial position to sign another big name after last offseason’s free agent spending spree. Running back is a problem for the team, and the free agents this year would not be much of an upgrade. Orleans Darkwa is solid but not the long-term answer, especially for a contender. If the Giants decide against selecting a quarterback with their first pick in the draft, then Saquon Barkley would be the answer. An explosive running back from Penn State, Barkley is the gamechanger on offense that New York so desperately needs.

Offensive Line: If you listen to sports talk radio, you might think the offensive line is a “major red flag” for the Giants, a team that has struggled immensely on offense. But with three solid players in Justin Pugh, Weston Richburg and DJ Fluker, the Giants can easily solidify this position with a solid pick in the second round.

Defensive Line: DO NOT TOUCH. There is no reason for the Giants to waste any money or draft picks on their most stacked positions. Olivier Vernon, Damon “Snacks” Harrison, and Jason Pierre-Paul are all ProBowl caliber players who excel at rushing the passer and stuffing the run. No need for any changes here.

Linebackers: The most tackles by a Giants linebacker this season so far is 40 from B.J. Goodson. That’s not promising nor effective. After selecting Evan Engram in last year’s draft over MLB Rueben Foster, and electing to not sign any backers during free agency, the Giants have suffered the consequences. They rank dead last in defense against the tight end, giving up the most receiving yards and touchdowns to the position. Zach Brown, Demario Davis and Navarro Bowman are a few notable names that could bolster their current group.

Secondary: Again, not a position that demands immediate attention for a team that has bigger holes to fill. Besides attitude and negative locker room presence from cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie, the talent is present. Landon Collins is arguably the best strong safety in the NFL and their corners have the ability to lockdown opposing receivers (but only if they feel like playing that day). Eli Apple is a concern. He’s constantly fooled by opposing quarterbacks and can’t seem to keep his hands off other receivers. Darian Thompson is not a bad option at free safety, but there are better available in free agency.

The main focus for the Giants this offseason needs to be on the draft. They have already spent a majority of their existing cap room, plus Odell Beckham Jr. still needs to get paid. A youth movement in New York will the key to a resurgent Giants football team come 2018.

(On Monday morning, the organizations fired both head coach Ben McAdoo and General Manager Jerry Reese. It looks like the rebuilding process has already begun.)