Who will score a touchdown for the Giants next season?
In the NFL, it’s all about scoring six points instead of three, but the Giants haven’t had many players with history in the end zone since Saquon Barkley signed with the Eagles.
If Darren Waller retires, that number will be even lower. And the Giants are active in free agency that way, but that’s their expectation.
So let’s start with the offense tied for third-fewest offensive touchdowns last season (25), followed by Barkley’s 47 total touchdowns, departed Sterling Shepard’s 24, and perhaps Waller’s 20. If we subtract, what is left?
The Giants have 17 other running backs, receivers and tight ends under contract, who combined for 72 career touchdowns from scrimmage, 19 fewer than that trio.
By comparison, the 49ers led the NFL with 61 offensive touchdowns last season, and the Broncos had a league-record 71 offensive touchdowns in 2013.
With receiver Isaiah Hodgins, whose seven touchdowns over the past two seasons were second only to Barkley’s 17, unsigned as a restricted free agent, three of the remaining 17 playmakers (Devin Single Talley, Darius Slayton and Isaiah McKenzie) were the only restricted free agents not signed. Three or more career touchdowns.
“Me and Slay always laugh when we see touchdowns being thrown so easily around the league, because the coverage was busted or something,” Hodgins, who is still unsigned, said last week. He told the Post after the season. “Every touchdown except the last game had to be scratched and scratched. Breaking tackles, diving catches, whatever. That’s how we’ve been wired and the way we’ve been the last few years. That’s how I got it. It’s just hard work.”
What does that mean? Either:
- Help is on the way, as the Giants have just $2.5 million in salary cap space and also need a starting cornerback.
- We need a year of breakthrough for young players.
- More rock fights are planned for this fall.
“I don’t think there’s a guy you can game plan and take away,” one NFL defensive coach told the Post.
Let’s take a look at some of the trickle-down effects of the offense currently being built.
6th pick in the draft
If the Giants select Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabors or Roma Odunze, the five-year search for a worthy successor to Odell Beckham Jr. could finally end.
David Syversten, senior draft analyst at Hourads Football Scouting Service, said that after having only three No. 1 players in the last four classes combined, these three He rates all of them as No. 1 receivers and top-eight receiver prospects (Garrett) Wilson, Ja’Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith, CeeDee Lamb).
There’s no doubt that any of these three receivers will get a ton of touches in a limited offense. If the Giants choose to draft a quarterback in the first round, the No. 1 receiver will be the default, as there are nine other receivers who rank within NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50 grades. He could be selected with the 47th pick.
Darius Slayton
Slayton prides himself on his consistency, with 46-50 catches and 724-770 yards in four of his five seasons.
Also, considering his previous offensive limitations, he believes his limits are largely intact.
Slayton will take the mantle from Barkley and get his first taste of being the No. 1 weapon. This means not only more touches, but also more defensive attention.
Jalin Hiatt, Wandale Robinson, Daniel Bellinger
It’s time for general manager Joe Schon’s draft picks to step into the spotlight. His top three draft playmakers (all top 112 picks in the past two drafts) have combined for six TDs in 67 career games.
Hyatt had 40 targets, including 18 of 20 yards or more, but is he ready to be more than just a deep threat? Robinson’s late-season surge — three of his five career-high single-game yardage totals came after Week 13 — means he’ll have anterior cruciate ligament surgery in the rearview mirror in December 2022. Was it a sign of things to come?
The acquisition of Waller messed with Bellinger’s role (he was used more often as a blocker) and probably also affected his confidence as he took a step back after a promising season. He is expected to start again and be a pass catcher after the Giants signed block-first backups Chris Manhertz and Jack Stoll.
Devin Singletary and Isaiah McKenzie
Singletary, 24, became the Giants’ new career touchdown leader. McKenzie (15th) is not far behind Slayton (19th).
If there was a game today, two journeymen who are used to splitting reps would be called upon as featured weapons.
“I feel like I can do it all,” Singletary said. “I can make things happen if I have the opportunity. I’m smart and dependable. I’m just ready to get to work.”
Everyone still has work to do if the Giants are to break out of last place in the NFL in scoring.
