The Giants.com crew is presented with four statements and must decide whether they are Fact or Fiction.
The offensive line is the biggest key to the Giants making a leap in 2021.
John Schmeelk: Fact - The easy answer here is Daniel Jones, but since the effectiveness of the Giants quarterback will be directly impacted by the performance of the offensive line, let's go with "fact" here. It is fair for everyone to have a high level of confidence in the weapons around Jones with the return of Saquon Barkley and additions of Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, and Kyle Rudolph. There are also reasons to believe that in his third season and second straight year in the same offensive system that Daniel Jones can take a major step forward.
His improvement can only happen, however, if the offensive line gives Jones a chance to read the defense, make his decisions and get the ball to those weapons. If the linemen make a big jump in their consistency and pass protection, the Giants could be a double-digit win team.
Dan Salomone: Fact - This is factual for any team in any season, but it is especially true for the Giants this year. General manager Dave Gettleman has made it clear he believes in the returning players and that at some point you just have to let the young players play.
Lance Medow: Fiction - The offensive line is very high on the list but slightly behind the player they need to protect - Daniel Jones. He's entering Year 3 and the Giants added some weapons at wide receiver and tight end to provide him with even more firepower. Now, it's a matter of whether they can all put it together with Jones at the reins. The Giants had just 12 total passing touchdowns and averaged 17.5 points per game in 2020.
WR John Ross was the most underrated addition of the off-season.
John Schmeelk: Fiction - Let's go with Kyle Rudolph. The most basic thing the Giants need to do more of this year is score touchdowns. In addition to scoring more by generating more explosive plays, the team also has to be more consistent in the red zone. Rudolph is one of the best and most consistent red zone players in the NFL. Rudolph scored four or more touchdowns in every one of his seasons since 2015 except for one (he missed four games last season). Rudolph will also give the Giants another two-way tight end to pair with Evan Engram in two-tight end formations. He should be a nice addition that helps Daniel Jones in important situation, and allows Jason Garrett more freedom in his personnel packages.
Dan Salomone: Fact - Edge defender Ifeadi Odenigbo, whom Lance writes about next, is also in this conversation. But Ross is certainly an intriguing player that people – and defenses – will need to watch. Like running back, you not only need numbers at wide receiver but you also need different types.
"The other guy that's going to be interesting is John Ross when he walks in the door because he gives you the take-off-the-top, oh-my-gosh speed," Gettleman said this offseason. "Yes, again, you want touchdown-makers, it's what you're looking for on offense and we feel like we added them."
Lance Medow: Fiction - John Ross' speed could prove to be a key addition to the receiving corps but he also has to prove he can stay healthy after only appearing in double-digit games once in his first four seasons. That's why the most underrated addition is former Vikings edge rusher Ifeadi Odenigbo, who proved to be a nice complement to Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffin in Minnesota. The Giants need someone to assume a similar role opposite pass rusher Leonard Williams. Odenigbo had seven sacks in 2019. Although his total dipped to 3.5 last season, he also recorded 15 quarterback hits, three tackles for loss and a safety. He's capable of being a disruptive player. It's all about opportunity within the Giants' scheme.
With training camp here, view photos of every move made by the Giants this offseason.


DT Leonard Williams - Signed to three-year contract

WR Kenny Golladay - Free Agent Signing

CB Adoree' Jackson - Free Agent Signing

TE Kyle Rudolph - Free Agent Signing

WR John Ross - Free Agent Signing

DT Danny Shelton - Free Agent Signing

LB Reggie Ragland - Free Agent Signing

DE Ifeadi Odenigbo - Free Agent Signing

WR Kadarius Toney - Selected with 20th pick in 2021 NFL Draft

WR Kadarius Toney - Selection List Signing

LB Azeez Ojulari - Selected with 50th pick in 2021 NFL Draft

LB Azeez Ojulari - Selection List Signing

CB Aaron Robinson - Selected with 71st pick in 2021 NFL Draft

CB Aaron Robinson - Selection List Signing

LB Elerson Smith - Selected with 116th pick in 2021 NFL Draft

LB Elerson Smith - Selection List Signing

RB Gary Brightwell - Selected with 196th pick in 2021 NFL Draft

RB Gary Brightwell - Selection List Signing

CB Rodarius WIlliams - Selected with 201st pick in 2021 NFL Draft

CB Rodarius Williams - Selection List Signing

RB Saquon Barkley - Fifth-year option picked up

RB Devontae Booker - Free Agent Signing

QB Mike Glennon - Free Agent Signing

OLB Ryan Anderson - Free Agent Signing

OL Zach Fulton - Free Agent Signing

OL Jonotthan Harrison - Free Agent Signing

OL Joe Looney - Free Agent Signing

WR Damion Willis - Free Agent Signing

RB Corey Clement - Free Agent Signing

C Brett Heggie - Undrafted Free Agent Signing

G Jake Burton - Undrafted Free Agent Signing

DE Raymond Johnson - Undrafted Free Agent Signing

DT Austin Johnson - Signed to new contract with Giants

WR C.J. Board

LS Casey Kreiter - Signed to new contract with Giants

LB Devante Downs - Free Agent Signing

FB Cullen Gillaspia - Free Agent Signing

DB Joshua Kalu - Free Agent Signing

TE Cole Hikutini - Free Agent Signing

DB Chris Milton

RB Mike Weber - Free Agent Signing

DB Jordyn Peters - Free Agent Signing

WR Alex Bachman - Signed to a reserve/future deal

LB Trent Harris - Signed to a reserve/future deal

DB Montre Hartage - Signed to a reserve/future deal

TE Rysen John - Signed to a reserve/future deal

DT David Moa - Signed to a reserve/future deal

G Chad Slade - Signed to a reserve/future deal

QB Clayton Thorson - Signed to a reserve/future deal

LS Carson Tinker - Signed to a reserve/future deal

G Kenny Wiggins - Signed to a reserve/future deal

DB Jarren Williams - Signed to a reserve/future deal

DB Quincy Wilson - Signed to a reserve/future deal

OT Jackson Barton - Signed, Renegotiated Contract: Exclusive Rights

DB Madre Harper - Signed, Renegotiated Contract: Exclusive Rights

WR Derrick Dillon - Signed to a reserve/future deal

WR David Sills - Signed, Renegotiated Contract: Exclusive Rights

TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart - Signed to a reserve/future deal

LB Cale Garrett - Signed to a reserve/future deal

P Ryan Santoso - Signed to a reserve/future deal

G Kevin Zeitler - Released

WR Golden Tate - Released

RB Devonta Freeman - Waived, from Reserve/Injured

WR Da'Mari Scott - Waived, No Recall

DB Shakial Taylor - Waived, No Recall

LB David Mayo - Released

WR Cody Core - Released

CB Ryan Lewis - Waived
Daniel Jones will not use his legs as much this season because of the added weapons in the passing game.
John Schmeelk: Fiction - Daniel Jones should and will be a big factor in the running game. He doesn't have to keep the ball on read-options more than a couple times a game to keep defenses honest. Just the threat of him keeping the ball and popping out on the weak side of the play will hold the defensive end or linebacker for a second or two. Those extra beats could help turn a 5-yard Saquon Barkley run into a 30-yard run.
Dan Salomone: Fiction - Joe Judge believes in playing to players' strengths, and a major thing that sets Jones apart is his ability to scramble and run for significant yardage. The addition of weapons on the outside, in addition to the return of Saquon Barkley, could open things up more for him on the ground.
Lance Medow: Fiction - Given the fact that Daniel Jones has missed at least two games in each of his first two seasons, it's unlikely the Giants want to expose him to additional, unnecessary hits. That combined with the return of Saquon Barkley provides enough reason to keep the volume of his runs around the same number as 2020, when he collected 65. So let's go fiction here even though his opportunities on the ground may not diminish.
DL Leonard Williams will again lead the Giants in sacks.
John Schmeelk: Fact - Who else it would be? There are so many potential edge rushers who could split playing time, who would you pick to finish with more sacks than Leonard Williams? No interior defensive lineman has finished with 10 or more sacks in consecutive seasons in recent history except for Aaron Donald, so perhaps Williams finishes with around eight and leads the team.
Dan Salomone: Fact - Williams has found a home with the Giants. He said he likes how the coaches challenge him, which led to him having a career year in 2020. He's not slowing down anytime soon.
Lance Medow: Fact - Leonard Williams led the Giants with 11.5 sacks in 2020. The next-closest players were Dexter Lawrence and Kyler Fackrell with four apiece Fackrell is no longer on the team and Lawrence will have to help fill the void left behind by Dalvin Tomlinson. Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines are both returning from injury and Azeez Ojulari certainly has the ability to top the list. But based on what we've already seen on the NFL level and the unknown regarding snap counts for some of the young pass rushers, it's hard to go with anyone other than Williams.
View photos of the New York Giants' active 53-man roster as it currently stands.


RB Saquon Barkley

RB Devontae Booker

CB James Bradberry

G Ben Bredeson

RB Gary Brightwell

LB Lorenzo Carter

WR Pharoh Cooper

DB Keon Crossen

LB Tae Crowder

OT Korey Cunningham

P Riley Dixon

TE Evan Engram

QB Jake Fromm

K Graham Gano

FB Cullen Gillaspia

QB Mike Glennon

WR Kenny Golladay

G Will Hernandez

DT Austin Johnson

WR Collin Johnson

DL Raymond Johnson III

QB Daniel Jones

LS Casey Kreiter

DL Dexter Lawrence

DB Julian Love

G Wes Martin

LB Benardrick McKinney

S Xavier McKinney

TE Chris Myarick

LB Azeez Ojulari

DB Steven Parker

OT Matt Peart

FB Elijhaa Penny

C Billy Price

LB Reggie Ragland

DB J.R. Reed

LB Quincy Roche

TE Kyle Rudolph

DB Logan Ryan

DT Danny Shelton

WR Sterling Shepard

OL Matt Skura

WR Darius Slayton

LB Elerson G. Smith

OT Nate Solder

OT Andrew Thomas

DT Leonard Williams

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