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Mailbag: How Daniel Jones becomes elite

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­Stanley in Georgia: What is your take on Daniel Jones? Do you believe he is a franchise QB who can lead the team to playoff/Super Bowl wins? Or do you think the Giants will be looking for a new QB soon?

John Schmeelk: Daniel Jones' rookie season was a mix of spectacular plays, and others that didn't end the way he wanted (see the turnovers). He has championship-level play inside of him and needs to figure out a way to cut down on his mistakes while maintaining a fair share of high-level plays.

In his second year, Jones' goals should focus on improving his risk management and making quicker and better decisions. He might be able to squeeze a 7-yard pass in between a couple of defenders, but the risk of an interception might not be worth the yards he might gain on the play. If he can get rid of the ball faster, it should reduce the amount of pressure he faces, the sacks he takes, and the potential to fumble.

He showed more than enough in his rookie season that the organization would be willing to give him a couple of years to figure out that part of his game. There's nothing in his physical ability or athletic profile that should hold him back from becoming a high-level quarterback.

John in Georgia: Which player from this year's draft will have the longest and most profound impact during his career with the Giants?

John Schmeelk: This is a very easy answer for me: Andrew Thomas. Offensive linemen can play at an extremely high level well into their mid-30s. If Thomas develops into a franchise left tackle, he could have a profound impact on Daniel Jones. There is no better friend to a quarterback than a dominant left tackle.

View photos of Giants quarterback Daniel Jones throughout his NFL career.

Tashia in New York: Should the Giants limit the use of the tight end, and only use them in 12 personnel or are there different ways to take advantage of some mismatches in other personnel packages?

John Schmeelk: Aside from goal line and other short-yardage situations, I do not expect to see two tight ends on the field, other than when the team is in 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TE, 2 WR). I still anticipate the Giants most common personnel package to be 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, and 3 WR) since it allows their best playmakers to be on the field at the same time (Saquon Barkley, Evan Engram, Golden Tate, Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard). I do not expect Engram to leave the field very often, and he should be a weapon when the team spreads the field with three wide receivers. He will get matched up with a linebacker or safety in a battle he should be able to win.

Pierre in Maine: Do you think Saquon Barkley will be used on the outside as a receiver as much as he was last year?

John Schmeelk: According to Pro Football Focus, Barkley lined up 10 times in the slot and 29 times outside in 12-plus games last year. Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott lined up 37 times in the slot and 20 times outside over a full season. In my opinion, Barkley runs a better and more diverse route tree than Elliott, so I think offensive coordinator Jason Garrett will probably try to get him lined up outside a bit more often. Even if it happens just one more time a game, Barkley may jump from 39 times as a receiver in 2019 to 80 reps in 2020, if he plays in all 16 games. Judge comes from a system in New England where they often used their speedy running backs, such as James White, to create mismatches as receivers. I expect the Giants to use Barkley that way this season.

View photos of all skill position players on the Giants' 90-man roster.

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