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Fact or Fiction: Offseason storylines; Eli Manning's Hall of Fame candidacy

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The Giants.com crew is presented with four statements and must decide whether they are Fact or Fiction.

The Giants will have multiple players on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

John Schmeelk: Fact – Malik Nabers will make it as a wide receiver and Tyrone Tracy Jr. will be the running back behind Bucky Irving. Irving will likely get first-team All-Rookie at running back as the only one with more than 1,000 rushing yards and Tracy has the second-most with 839. Ray Davis is up next at 442 yards as one of two backups to James Cook in Buffalo. Nabers is an easy call, leading rookie wide receivers in receptions and receiving yards, though Ladd McConkey and Brian Thomas Jr. both have strong cases too.

Dan Salomone: Fact – The Giants haven't boasted multiple players on the same All-Rookie Team since Saquon Barkley and Will Hernandez in 2018. This class has the talent and depth to became the next. As team president John Mara said in his season-ending media session, "It's very unusual that you have six draftees, all of whom you think are going to help us going forward."

Matt Citak: Fact – The Giants had one of the league's top rookie classes this season, as all six draft picks, along with several undrafted free agents, made contributions at various times. Malik Nabers seems like a lock to make the PFWA All-Rookie Team after his record-setting campaign. Tyrone Tracy Jr. topped 1,000 yards of offense and finished second among rookie running backs in rushing yards, which should put him in good shape to make the team as well. Dru Phillips also has a chance to make it following his strong rookie year. Between Tracy and Phillips, at least one of them is likely going to join Nabers on the All-Rookie Team.

Quarterback is the No. 1 storyline heading into the Giants' offseason.

John Schmeelk: Fact – Until a team gets its quarterback right, everything else matters much less. The NFL is a quarterback-driven league and it is the most important position in all of sports. The Giants might not find their long-term future quarterback this offseason, but they will certainly try lifting every stone in an attempt. If they can find THE guy for the next 10 years, it is franchise-altering. If they can't, having a good bridge still allows the possibility of a strong season.

Dan Salomone: Fact – Whether that's draft or free agency or some combination of both, it was the top storyline throughout last season and thus will be in the offseason. The Giants are on the hunt for the next franchise quarterback.

Matt Citak: Fact – This was made abundantly clear by John Mara, Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll during their respective year-end press conferences. Quarterback is the most important position in football, and the Giants currently have zero quarterbacks under contract for 2025 (although Tommy DeVito is set to be an exclusive rights free agents). The Giants will need to add multiple bodies to their QB room this offseason, likely through both free agency and the draft. How the front office decides to address the position will be the biggest question over the next few months.

View photos of every NFL player selected with the third overall pick since the first draft in 1936.

Aside from quarterback, the biggest offseason need on the roster is cornerback.

John Schmeelk: Fact – I wouldn't just say cornerback, but a veteran outside cornerback specifically. The Giants have an extremely young secondary and I think they could use a settling force in that room to help the young guys develop. A veteran addition, of which there are strong options in free agency, would give the Giants four cornerbacks in the room (Deonte Banks, Cor'Dale Flott, Dru Phillips). I could be convinced defensive tackle is a bigger need. I could be convinced that continuing to improve the offensive line is a bigger need. The Giants have a lot of work to do this offseason.

Dan Salomone: Fiction – It's hard to pinpoint one position after a team goes 3-14. That record reflects the need to address a multitude of issues. Linemen – offensive, defensive, starters or depth pieces – will never not be a need.

Matt Citak: Fact – Despite the low numbers overall, the Giants' pass defense ranked 25th in the league in net yards allowed per pass attempt. While Deonte Banks showed flashes throughout the season, he did not quite make the jump that many were hoping he would in his second NFL season. Adding a top-tier cornerback this offseason, whether it's with their first-round pick or through a veteran in free agency, should be right behind finding a quarterback on the team's priority list.

Eli Manning will get into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot.

John Schmeelk: Fiction – I hope I am wrong, and I should be wrong, but I think Giants fans are going to be stunned and disappointed when Eli Manning does not make the Hall of Fame in a few weeks. While Manning not only compiled excellent stats, he owns two Super Bowl rings (and MVP trophies) thanks to two excellent playoff runs. I've talked to enough Hall of Fame voters and there seems to be too many questions about his regular-season record to get him in on the first ballot. In my mind, Eli Manning is a Hall of Famer. He had two excellent Super Bowl runs where he played well, or in the case of his Super Bowl XLVI run, elite football. He never missed games while throwing for a ton of yards, was a steadying force for the franchise. He would have my vote, but I think he falls short.

Dan Salomone: Fact – "Will" and "should" are always two different things in these conversations, but Eli checks all the boxes. I often correct people when they refer to him as a two-time Super Bowl champion. He is a two-time Super Bowl MVP. He is one of only six people with multiple Super Bowl MVP awards. Citak has learned his lesson.

Matt Citak: Fact – Manning is a two-time Super Bowl MVP who helped orchestrate the biggest upset in NFL history with the Giants' victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Despite being out of the league for five years now, Manning still ranks 11th on the NFL's all-time list when it comes to passing yards, touchdowns, and completions. While he has some tough competition on this year's ballot, Manning is the only quarterback among the 15 Modern-Era finalists. The vote will likely be close, but Manning will end up getting into the Hall of Fame on his first try.

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