Welcome to the 2023 fantasy football preview of the New York Giants! Get ready to explore the Giants’ roster and analyze each position’s impact on your fantasy team. The 2023 offseason brought new talent through draft picks and notable transactions, setting the stage for a promising season. Whether you need a reliable quarterback, explosive running back, dynamic wide receiver, or a stout defense, we’ve got you covered. Join us as we break down the Giants’ fantasy potential and highlight key players who can lead your team to victory.
New York Giants Fantasy Football Preview
Key Subtractions and Additions
Key players lost in free agency: LG- Jon Feliciano (49ers), S-Julian Love (Seahawks), WR- Richie James (Chiefs), CB- Fabian Moreau
Notable free agency additions: TE- Darren Waller (Raiders), WR- Paris Campbell (Colts), S- Bobby McCain (Commanders), LB- Bobby Okereke (Colts), Jamison Crowder (Bills)
Additions via draft: CB- Deonte Banks, WR- Jalin Hyatt, RB- Eric Gray, OL- John Michael-Schmitz
Positional Previews
Quarterback
Daniel Jones, the undisputed starter, recently signed a lucrative 4-year, $82 million guaranteed contract, indicating the team’s commitment to his development. Last season, Jones displayed promise, throwing for 3,205 yards, 15 touchdowns, and a mere 5 interceptions. His career-high passer rating of 92.5 suggests he is poised for further growth. While the passing numbers are impressive, Jones’ entry into fantasy relevance came largely due to the work he did with his legs. This past season, Jones carried the rock 120 times for 708 yards and 7 touchdowns. The improved passing, ball protection, and rushing floor make Jones a sneaky solid fantasy pick this year.
Backing up Jones is Tyrod Taylor, who saw limited action for the Giants last season. Taylor’s performance showcased modest numbers with 58 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. While he may not be an immediate fantasy standout, Taylor’s presence ensures some level of depth at the position for the Giants.
In terms of receiving options, the New York Giants’ big signing of WR Kenny Golladay last season proved to be a disappointment. Due to coaching decisions, Golladay saw minimal playing time, completely burning all of those who drafted him. Additionally, the team faced further setbacks with the injury to WR Wan’dale Robinson, a second-round draft pick from the previous year, who tore his ACL in Week 11. These circumstances hindered the Giants’ passing game and limited the production of their wide receivers.
Despite these challenges, the Giants remain committed to providing Jones with reliable weapons. In this year’s draft, they selected Jalin Hyatt, a wide receiver from Tennessee known for his field-stretching deep-play abilities. This move reflects the team’s ongoing efforts to surround Jones with talented playmakers and enhance his fantasy value.
Overall, the Giants’ quarterback room offers fantasy potential through the steady presence of Daniel Jones as the starter. The team’s continuous pursuit of offensive weapons signals a commitment to improving Jones’ supporting cast. Fantasy managers should monitor the developments in the Giants’ passing game, keeping an eye on Jones’ progress and the utilization of the team’s new additions as they aim to maximize their fantasy production.
Running Back
In the Giants’ fantasy running back room, Saquon Barkley remains the bell-cow despite his franchise tag situation. Yet to sign his tender, Barkley missed out on the initial offseason training. However, last season he showcased his dominance, rushing an impressive 295 times for 1,312 yards and 10 TDs. Barkley also contributed in the passing game, catching 57 passes for 338 yards, albeit without finding the end zone. As the focal point of the Giants’ ground attack, Barkley continues to be a highly coveted fantasy asset. He is a top 5 RB, don’t overthink it.
Alongside Barkley, the New York Giants have Matt Breida, who provided a change-of-pace option in the backfield. Breida carried the ball 54 times for 220 yards and 1 TD. Particularly in deeper leagues, Breida’s speed and versatility can offer occasional fantasy value, although this will be virtually impossible to predict.
Looking ahead to potential future scenarios, the Giants made a strategic move in the draft by selecting Eric Gray from the Oklahoma Sooners. Gray, who ran for an impressive 1,366 yards and 11 TDs in his senior year, brings promise as a possible replacement for Barkley or as a complementary back in the near future. As a dynamic and productive college runner, Gray’s potential for fantasy relevance is worth monitoring, especially if he leapfrogs Breida on the roster in training camp.
For more great rankings and analysis, make sure to check out our 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit!
Wide Receiver
The Giants’ wide receiver room presents an intriguing mix of both young talent and seasoned veterans from a fantasy perspective. With no clear top option, the competition for targets and production is wide open. Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt, both mentioned earlier, offer potential upside as promising rookies, while the addition of Bryce Ford-Wheaton from West Virginia brings further depth to the group.
Among the veterans, Sterling Shepard’s 2022 season was cut short due to an ACL tear after catching only 13 passes. While his injury raises concerns about his durability, Shepard has shown his ability to contribute when healthy and could be a valuable option if he can stay on the field.
Darius Slayton, with 46 receptions for 724 yards and 2 TDs last season, provides a deep threat and big-play potential for the Giants’ passing game. He has demonstrated chemistry with quarterback Daniel Jones and could be a reliable option for fantasy managers looking for a boom-or-bust type of receiver.
An interesting name to watch is Isaiah Hodgins, who joined the Giants’ roster after starting the season with the Buffalo Bills. Down the stretch, Hodgins emerged as the most productive wide receiver, scoring in four of the last five regular-season games. With 33 catches for 351 yards and 4 TDs, Hodgins showcased his ability to find the end zone and could be a surprise fantasy contributor if he maintains his momentum.
Giants wide receivers offer a mix of potential breakout candidates and established veterans. While there is no clear top option, fantasy managers should closely monitor the roles and production of players like Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Sterling Shepard, and Isaiah Hodgins. The competition for targets and playing time within this group makes it an intriguing situation to follow for fantasy purposes.
Tight End
The New York Giants’ tight end situation brings both disappointment and excitement from a fantasy perspective. The much-hyped Daniel Bellinger fell short, catching only 30 passes for 268 yards and 2 TDs, failing to live up to expectations.
However, the Giants made a significant acquisition in the form of Darren Waller, who was traded from the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason. With a lack of proven options at wide receiver, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Waller lead the team in every receiving category. He has the potential to become Daniel Jones’ go-to target, similar to how Patrick Mahomes utilizes Travis Kelce in the Chiefs offense.
It’s important to note that Waller dealt with a nagging hamstring injury last season, which limited his production to 28 receptions for 388 yards and 3 TDs. Assuming he is fully healthy, Waller has the ability to be a dominant force and a valuable asset for fantasy managers.
While Daniel Bellinger’s underwhelming performance may have disappointed fantasy owners, the addition of Darren Waller provides a promising outlook for the Giants’ tight end position. With Waller’s potential to lead the team in receiving and Jones likely utilizing him as a primary weapon, fantasy managers should keep a close eye on Waller’s role and production in the Giants’ offense. Despite a somewhat limited 2022 season due to injury, Waller’s previous success and talent make him an exciting fantasy option moving forward.
D/ST
The Giants defense, assessed from a fantasy perspective, has made notable moves during the offseason to bolster its ranks. One key addition is Deonte Banks, a dynamic cornerback out of Maryland, whom the team selected in the first round of the draft. With the belief that Banks can step in as a day-one starter and make an immediate impact, the Giants’ secondary gains a promising talent with the potential to disrupt opposing passing games.
However, the Giants also faced a loss in their secondary as safety Julian Love departed in free agency to join the Seattle Seahawks. To address the void, the team signed Bobby McCain, formerly of the Washington Commanders, as a replacement. McCain’s experience and versatility should help maintain stability in the secondary and mitigate the impact of Love’s departure. While McCain may not have garnered significant fantasy attention in the past, his role within the Giants’ defense could provide value in deeper fantasy leagues or as a streaming option when the matchup is favorable.
The New York Giants made further strides to fortify their linebacking corps by signing Bobby Okereke, who previously played for the Indianapolis Colts. In the 2022 season, Okereke showcased his tackling prowess by recording an impressive 99 solo tackles, tying him for 7th place in the league. His ability to consistently contribute tackles adds value in tackle-heavy fantasy formats and increases the Giants’ overall defensive stability.
While the Giants’ defense has made notable additions and boasts promising talent, the potential for a truly formidable unit lies with former 5th overall pick Kayvon Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux has shown glimpses of his pass-rushing prowess but has yet to fully unleash his potential. If he can take the next step in his production and become a consistent force on the field, the Giants’ defense has the opportunity to become a fearsome unit capable of disrupting offenses and generating fantasy points through sacks and turnovers.
The Giants’ defense has made strategic moves to enhance its overall performance and fantasy value. With the addition of Deonte Banks, Bobby McCain, and Bobby Okereke, the team has strengthened its secondary and linebacking corps, addressing key areas of need. The breakout potential of Kayvon Thibodeaux further amplifies the upside of the Giants’ defense. Fantasy managers should monitor these developments closely, considering the Giants’ defense as a viable option for their fantasy rosters.
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