Big Blue View
Good morning, New York Giants fans!
New York Giants: B+. Nothing was more significant than the Giants successfully landing John Harbaugh. He should be a stabilizing force given his long track record of success in Baltimore, and he rightfully gives fans hope in the franchise’s new direction.
But in terms of players, the biggest decision the Giants made was to trade Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals for the No. 10 pick. That was a huge win. As much as I — and probably the Giants! — like Lawrence as a player, he was coming off a down season, and the value of the No. 10 pick was simply a much better return than the veteran defensive tackle is likely worth. Thanks to that trade, the Giants had two top-10 picks in the draft. They added linebacker/edge rusher Arvell Reese — who surprisingly fell to No. 5 — and OT Francis Mauigoa at No. 10. Those two young players can be the foundation of the Giants’ new core if they play well. Nothing will affect the Giants’ win total in the short term more than second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart’s development. But this offseason was more about setting up a foundation for the medium to long term.
Will Malik Nabers be ready for Week 1? It’s impossible to know this right now, but it’s hard to believe that there’s any more pressing question for the Giants. The star wide receiver is recovering from a torn ACL and meniscus and had a second cleanup surgery this spring. General manager Joe Schoen expressed optimism he’ll be back for Week 1, and coach John Harbaugh is hopeful he’ll be back soon. The Giants have plenty of receivers after adding three big names late this spring, but none bring the juice Nabers provides. Oh, and even if Nabers is ready for Week 1, will he be the same explosive playmaker right away?
OT Jermaine Eluemunor, New York Giants. The team brought in a new head coach in John Harbaugh and several other high-profile additions to help get over the hump, but one of their most important moves of the offseason was retaining incumbent offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor.
The 31-year-old was a late bloomer, suiting up sporadically for three...
