Since we essentially have no injuries now, we should be better in most cases:
QB - same or better with more knowledge of the offense, which is just fine.
RB - Better. Very diverse workmanlike group. Vereen adds a dimension. Williams should get better. I think Hunt has a good chance to get better.
WR - Better. Big IF = Cruz's health. Addition of Harris and return of "soup" Harris is welcomed.
TE - About the same. Perhaps Vereen takes some catches away from Donnell. Would have loved to go w O'Leary over Davis in the 6th.
LT - Same.
LG - Better. One would think Pugh would be an upgrade especially if he pulls well.
C - Better. Natural and talented center replaces natural and not too talented center.
RG - Better. Schwartz coming back should be an improvement over Jerry.
RT - TBD. Let's hope Flowers doesn't have a ton of technique problems.
DE - Same. JPP.
DT - Unless Bromley steps up, I think they made a major mistake not addressing this beyond Ellis. Michael Bennett would have been a great Rd 5 selection.
DT - Hank. Same - which is fine.
DE - Big upgrade with Moore (Spags should serve him well), Selvie, and Double O. Any of these guys can play on the other side as well.
LB - Better. I think Kennard beats out McClain.
MLB - Slightly better. Beason backed up by Thomas. The latter is probably better than 2014. But 2014 was woeful.
LB - TBD - If they like Casillas over Williams than so be it.
CBs - DRC and Prince just need to stay healthy.
Slot CB - I think they did a poor job not replacing Hosley w one of the many slot CBs in this draft.
Safety - Collins big upgrade but no free safety type on the roster unless you count the Texas kid who has UDFA talent.
I like Collins' talent and the other young safeties on the roster...but it's a lot of youth/inexperience/unknown. Even talented guys take a while to figure things out sometimes, especially when playing next to another newbie. It's a boom/bust situation...but I think people need to realize this has the potential to be a real weak spot (especially in the short term) for this defense (and all the more so if there are significant injuries).
Offensively biggest improvement: continuity and development
I like our TE group much better than last year and it's the same 3 guys. OL will hopefully begin developing into a strength this year. The RB group I think is vastly improved by adding vereen, giving dreWill another year, and the improved OL play should really help the backs productions.
Cruz is the wildcard
On the flip side, they don't have a ton of older starters that are likely losing a step (ala 2014 Rolle). The main guys to watch here are Beason (and McClain after Beason stubs a toe), Beatty, Schwartz. Jenkins, and maybe Jennings. Though Jenkins/Jennings have obvious replacements ready to step in that could be significant improvements (Ellis/Bromley & Williams/Vereen).
If they can successfully rebuild the unit under Spags and improve in some capacity from last year (stop the damn run for starters) I see the D playing much better than last year.
I expect continued strides forward in the offense. The run game will return this year if the OL stats healthy and gels. The o could be very good this year
And I expect special teams to be vastly improved
I think this team should compete for a playoff spot and barring health and development could make a deep playoff run
Bennett and Hosley are like the 4th and 5th corners. I dont think that it too terrible and it is surely an upgrade if Prince is back.
Also our special teams have been addressed in a major way. Should see a MASSIVE improvement there.
I especially love bringing in Vereen. I think this will have a larger impact on the offense than people expect. One he will pass protect well, two the Giants will finally do the check-down dump off or swing pass where the RB has YAC ability to do damage. The whole damn NFL is doing this and it helps move the chains and pad QB stats.
Cruz X-fcactor, if Cruz is anything like himself hen this offense can really soar. I also am going to take an optimistic view of Randle. I have been down on him but I think the light bulb may have gone on the end of last season. With a tilt the field like player in Beckham, the passing game should produce.
Defense is where this season will be decided. I actually have no idea how the defense will perform. I hope that is shows some signs of improvement and trending in the right direction. If the Giants have a capable defensive unit that can make some plays, hold some leads and God-forbid steal a game then the Giants will be a playoff contender.
Is the return of Cruz, the defense, ect all important? Of course it is but it is far far far down the totem pole compared to simply keeping Eli upright and giving him a chance to run this offense.
We've seen Eli turn absolute no-names in to players time and time again. If he has time, he will find an open receiver whether it's Victor Cruz or Preston Parker.
DC - Better cause its fn Spags.
He has to beat Pugh to take over at ROT and that's the way it should be. So, I think we can consider the LG spot an upgrade (huge gain in the run blocking) and the ROT spot an upgrade if Pugh is healthier than last year.
The Giants signed Kendrick Ellis primarily as a run-stopper. He may start next to Hankins, which is a lot of beef up front. They drafted Landon Collins because there's more than one way to stop the run. And they drafted Double O because he's a beast against the run.
So, you didn't get Danny Shelton. Cry me a river...I didn't get DeVante Parker.
Landon Collins and my 93 year old grandmother is an improvement over those two.
Agreed. Mike Harris is better than Hosley. He should be the backup slot corner behind McBride...really hoping Hosley is off the roster this year (I actually think the only thing saving him from being off the roster last year was his 4 game suspension - bought him some time for some guys to get hurt).
Chykie Brown may learn some safety as well but with the addition of Collins and Thompson, he's on the depth chart as the 4th corner. Not sure if we'll keep 5 or 6...we have Harris, Hosley, Gordy, Jackson, and Fenner competing for 1-2 spots. Gordy and Jackson could also figure into the 4th or 5th safety battle depending on how many we keep there.
If Hosley is still on the team then the 2ndary has not improved