Daniel Jones key to success in 2021

Chris Dailey

Founder, The Sports Court

The New York Giants have a lot of questions and uncertainties headed into the season, and one of the main questions is How will Daniel Jones play?


Here is my answer to that question, approaching it from a few different perspectives.


The team doesn't need to depend on Jones, however with Saquon injured for the majority of last season the Giants did. Daniel Jones was placed in a tough spot with a weak offensive line, a mediocre run game, and a new head coach was still finding his footing in the big apple.


If the Giants can build themselves up on defense like they have been doing, the Giants will find success. Big Blue ranked 9th in points against last season with players like James Bradberry having All-Pro type of seasons in the corner position while Leonard Williams recorded 11.5 sacks, the Giants were an elite defense that is only on the up and up.


On the other side of the ball, the Giants were weak, slow, and unconvincing. New York finished 31st out of 32 teams in points scored, generating little to no offensive attack.


If the Giants defense can keep improving and the new offensive additions of Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, and Saquon Barkley returning from injury prove worthy, then some pressure will be taken off of the young QB’s shoulders and he can relax and settle down.


Jones was the Giants' second-leading rusher last season with 423 yards on the ground, second only to Wayne Gallman. If the Giants establish can continue to establish themself as a team that plays a great brand of defensive football and a team with a dual-threat QB, they will be a tough matchup for any team in the league.


Overall, if Joe Judge can continue to build up the defense, the pressure will be eased off of Jones and the offense’s shoulder which will allow for some more creative play calling and Jones being able to throw the ball downfield and move the sticks with his legs. 


The Giants face familiar foes, the New England Patriots, to end the pre-season before going at it against the Denver Broncos to start the season.

photo via ​https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/Daniel_Jones_In_2019.jpg