NY Giants 2022 Offensive Stats Predictions
With training camp underway and the first preseason action about a week away, it’s a great time to project how much better the Giants offense will be under new leadership.
It’s no secret that since 2016 when they made the playoffs, the Giant’s offense has suffered from struggles, unfortunate injuries, and subpar quarterback play. Giants fans nowadays yearn for the days when Odell Beckham Jr. would catch a five-yard slant at mid-field and take it to the house. Instead, we must worry about costly turnovers and drops from our highly paid receivers.
Alas, the Giants are being run by new management, and new Head Coach Brian Daboll brings his offensive expertise from Buffalo to the Meadowlands. The expectations are low, but the Giants have enough young pieces on offense where they can get hot. Rookie RT Evan Neal brings hope for a better offensive line, with LT Andrew Thomas showing massive improvements last season on the other side. WRs Kadarius Toney, Wan’dale Robinson, and Kenny Golladay form an excellent trio. Of course, it all will depend on the QB, and Daniel Jones has a lot to prove in his final year under contract. With that said, here are the projections for the 2022 Giants offense.
QB
Daniel Jones: 10 Games Started, 2,970 Passing Yards, 63.5%, 22 Passing TDs, 12 INTs, 260 Rushing Yards, 2 Rushing Tds, 7 Fumbles Lost
Tyrod Taylor: 7 Games Started, 2,275 Passing Yards, 68.2%, 12 Passing TDs, 7 INTs, 320 Rushing Yards, 4 Rushing TDs, 4 Fumbles Lost
The most critical position for the Giants front office to evaluate this season is quarterback. Daniel Jones is in the final year of his contract, and with new leadership making their imprint, the former fifth overall pick could see himself on the bench quicker than most think. With these projections, Jones lasts until the bye week in week nine after a disappointing first half, and they turn to Tyrod Taylor to give the offense a lift. He gives the Giants a spark and rattles off a couple of wins. Then Taylor struggles to keep it up, and Jones is put back in for the final two games to show if he has anything left to no avail. The Giants will be looking for a new quarterback in 2023. Whether it be through free agency or the draft is the question. We know Daniel Jones doesn’t have as long of a leash as he’s had in previous years.
RB
Saquon Barkley: 16 Games Started, 225 Rushing Attempts, 1,060 Rushing Yards, 9 Rushing TDs, 885 Receiving Yards, 5 Receiving TDs, 4 Fumbles Lost
Matt Breida: 1 Game Started, 85 Rushing Attempts, 265 Rushing Yards, 2 Rushing TDs, 105 Receiving Yards, 1 Receiving TD, 2 Fumbles Lost
Like Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley is in his final year under contract with the Giants and has to show he’s still the guy he was during his first year when he won Offensive Rookie of the Year. He’s fully healthy after being plagued with bad injury luck and not playing an entire season since that rookie year. Saquon has the opportunity to shine in this offense as it seems Head Coach Brian Daboll and Offensive Coordinator Mike Kafka will use him more in the receiving game as he’s been showcased in that spot all offseason far in training camp. Under these projections, he’ll surpass his career high in receiving yards and almost gain 2,000 yards from scrimmage. Matt Breida will serve as a competent backup and fill in ok for Saquon if he misses a game or two. If Saquon can stay healthy, the Giants won’t have to worry about the running back position at least this year.
WR
Kenny Golladay: 72 Receptions, 930 Receiving Yards, 7 TDs
Kadarius Toney: 64 Receptions, 1,080 Receiving Yards, 8 TDs
Wan’dale Robinson: 55 Receptions, 740 Receiving Yards, 3 TDs
Sterling Shephard: 43 Receptions, 580 Receiving Yards, 4 TDs
Last season, the Giants wide receiving group was maybe the most underwhelming group on the team. They had a lot of hype going into the year with the signing of Kenny Golladay in free agency and drafting Kadarius Toney in the first round. However, neither of them scored a touchdown during the entire season. That will change this season with a new offense that will showcase their skill-set to a higher degree. Golladay won’t have that number one wide receiver year, but he’ll turn out a solid campaign that will get people to believe in him again. Kadarius Toney will assert himself as the number one receiver on the team after showing a lot of flashes last year. Rookie Wan’dale Robinson will be the surprise of the group as his skills fit perfectly in the slot and Brian Daboll’s offensive scheme. Sterling Shephard will provide that veteran leadership that every wide receiver room needs and will slowly return to form after recovering from the torn Achilles injury he suffered late last season. Overall, the Giant’s wide receiver room will turn out a better product than last season and show fans that the future of this position is bright.
TE
Daniel Bellinger: 51 Receptions, 620 Receiving Yards, 4 TDs8
Ricky Seals-Jones: 36 Receptions, 305 Receiving Yards, 2 TD
The tight end group brings the most unknown among all the positions on offense. The Giants didn’t get back all three of their leading tight ends from last season (Evan Engram, Kyle Rudolph, Kaden Smith). Instead, they signed Ricky Seals-Jones and Jordan Aitkins in free agency while drafting Daniel Bellinger. Bellinger looks to be the starter heading into the season as he’s taking most of the first team reps in training camp. Bellinger was known in college more for his blocking ability, but he will flash some of his pass-catching ability in his first year. He’ll split playing time with Seals-Jones but outnumber him in all categories making him the valid number one tight end. Seals-Jones will pull in a solid backup year, which he did last season, filling in for injuries on the Washington Football Team. Bellinger will be given a big chance this year to start for a team after being selected in the fourth round. He’ll have some hiccups along the road but will show some promise.