The Giants added some formidable playmakers to Eli Manning’s arsenal in effort to improve on a lackluster offensive season. The Giants ranked 25th in yards per game and 26th in scoring per game. Star wideout Odell Beckham Jr. was basically New York’s entire offense last season, accounting for nearly 26% of total yards gained on offense. Beckham also accounted for 22% of the Giants’ touchdowns last season. These statistics are substantial considering there are always 11 offensive players on the field… and more that come off the bench. General manager Jerry Reese’s goal this offseason was to find a way to take the burden off of OBJ. He added a big bodied, pro bowl caliber, veteran, in Brandon Marshall, to Big Blue’s offense. Marshall is drastically taller than any of the other Giants receivers. Marshall gives Eli Manning a target that he hasn’t had the opportunity to throw to since Plaxico Burress (6’5″). The Manning-Burress tandem was one of the greatest QB to WR connections at the time. Manning and Burress connected on the game winning touchdown in Super Bowl 42 against the then unbeaten Patriots.
Other than Marshall’s 6’4″ frame, Beckham is the largest of the bunch, standing at a measly 5’11”. One of the reasons why Big Blue’s offense struggled last season was because of their poor red zone play. Marshall is a perfect fit for Ben McAdoo’s offense because he gives them an undeniably potent weapon, who adds another dimension to the offense, solely because of his size. Just a year ago Marshall was a top 10 receiver in the league. Line him up on the opposite side of the field from arguably the best wide receiver in the game now and the defense will have nightmares. Add rising sophomore Sterling Shepard into the mix and the Giants have yet another technician who can slice and dice his way down the field. Reese really showed the football world that he meant business when he drafted tight end Evan Engram with the 23rd overall pick. Engram is 6’3″ and lighting quick… He ran a faster 40 yard dash than Odell Beckham Jr. Engram and Shepard on the inside, and Beckham and Marshall on the outside gives the two time super bowl MVP an array of weapons. Engram will be able to give the Giants their first real receiver in a tight end since Jeremy Shockey. Engram can stretch the field, and can give the Giants another great red zone receiver.
Last season the Giants’ ground game ranked 29th. After cutting veteran back Rashad Jennings, Paul Perkins is the starter. In the lone game that Perkins started last year, he picked up 102 yards on 21 carries. If the Giants can get production like that from him next season they should have one of the best offenses in the league. The Giants also drafted Wayne Gallman in the fourth round of the 2017 Draft. Gallman is shifty and powerful, which should complement Perkins’ quickness and undeniable ability to hit the hole.
The most explosive, and arguably the best receiver in the league paired with a physical, proven wideout should lead to an increase in production by Big Blue’s offense. The Giants also have a budding star in Shepard, and a tight end who analysts compare to the Redskins’ pro bowl TE Jordan Reed. Add one of the best defenses in the NFL and the Giants have the potential to make a deep playoff run… or maybe even a super bowl run.