NFL Notebook: 2025 New York Giants Preview

The proud franchise that is the New York Giants has been on some very dry times since 2011, when they won their second Super Bowl in four years. Since that point, the Giants have only finished over .500 three times. Over the past two seasons they’ve gone 9-25. Brian Daboll is back for his third year as a head coach and you have to think that unless notable improvement is shown from last year’s 3-14 debacle, it will be Daboll’s last.

VETERAN PLACEHOLDERS AT QB

Daboll will have plenty of options to choose from at quarterback. Russell Wilson is currently the starter. While Wilson is far from what he once was, he was still good enough to ride Pittsburgh’s great defense to the postseason last year. If Russell can’t do it, Jameis Winston is another veteran option.

But in the end, both Russ and Jameis are placeholders. The Giants had two first-round picks in last spring’s draft, and they used the second one on Ole Miss quarterback Jaxon Dart. While Dart may be listed at #3 right now, the biggest question in the Meadowlands is when he becomes the starter.

ROOKIES UP FRONT

New York used their premium first-round pick, the third overall selection, on Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter. This is a spot where the Giants desperately need an upgrade. They have an excellent nose tackle in Dexter Lawrence, but the defensive line spots surrounding him in the 3-4 are otherwise major weak points. Carter has to step in immediately. And it wouldn’t hurt if another rookie end, third-round pick Darius Alexander can play right away too.

LITTLE SPARKS ELSEWHERE

Quarterback and the defensive line are where the Giants used their draft capital. They have to hope those spots can surround what are some sparks elsewhere. Foremost among those sparks is wide receiver Malik Nabers. The first-round pick from last season, Nabers made an immediate impact with 109 catches for over 1,200 yards. The running backs, with Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary aren’t bad. Darius Slayton offers some possibilities for stretching the field in the passing game.

THE BLUE BLOB OF MEDIOCRITY

Beyond this, New York is a sea of mediocrity. The offensive line isn’t awful, but apart from left tackle Andrew Thomas no one really stands out. Inside linebacker Bobby Okerke is pretty good, but the linebackers are otherwise fairly average. And the secondary is simply a problem. Even with signing some veteran free agents, the Giants back four doesn’t have discernible strengths, and at least one of the corners is a major problem.

OUTLOOK

If you want to put a positive spin on this team, you can say there’s not a ton of obvious weak points. If the rookies make an impact, maybe the intangible called “chemistry” could come together. It’s possible, but that’s a big hope. Betting markets don’t give the Giants any hope of making the playoffs, with an Over/Under on wins of 5.5. I’d concur with that. The only real question is whether New York shows enough progress to keep Daboll around another year and transition into the Dart/Carter era.