1. The WRs Kenny Golladay and Toney can get open quickly. Toney appears to get quick separation and can provide an element of surprise. Golliday can be thrown too if if he does not get a lot of separation. Slayton should be able to get open easier without being much of a focus. If Ross makes the team, which I expect, he and Slayton will make the defense be more honest. Shepard, I am not really counting on because of his concussion tend but if healthy, he can get open quickly as well.
2. Kyle Rudoplh is an experienced and smart player and can really help blocking and supporting the tackles when need be. He can also be a safety valve and trusted player for Jones. Jones can be more confident in him then in Engram.
3. Barkley is back and can keep defenses honest. The big if with Barkely will be how is his blocking and blitz pickup in year three. If it is improved, that will make a huge difference. Also, it appears the Giants like our new FA running back because of his ability is all aspects of being a running including pass protection.
4. Coaching. I believe that Judge has put together an oline coaching staff that matches better how he wants them to be taught. Last season had a lot of flux with COVID, Columbo and then DeGuglielmo. I think we will see a better coached line this season that will get more in person time with the coaches.
5. Daniel Jones in year three, this is still a question mark but I think he makes the jump, has year 2 with Judge and Garrett, the game should slow down and he should recognize where to go quicker with thee ball. Also tied in with #1 and the receivers, I think he will have more open receivers to actually get the ball too and his margin of error will get bigger. We saw how his running ability can keep the defense honest and he can be smarter on how to protect himself, but defenses have to be careful for designed runs. If his pocket presence improves he can be really dangerous.
There is a good chance that the coaching staff realizes that some of the offense line problems where not all on the offense line and were more of a team offense issue. Obviously, it was mentioned by asshats and Gettleman that they were looking at oline, but like every position they want to bring in competition and push current players to be better or have their spot taken. Just because they were interested in oline does not mean they don't like the potential of their projected starters. I also do wish we added a guard high for competition’s sake and to take over for Hernandez, even if he does great this year. I do have some concerns about the oline more than most areas but am optimistic and have what I hope is not an unhealthy trust in this coaching staff.
Ofcourse there are the reasons related to the actual oline but those will be scrutinized and up for debate regarding each players. Just a few thoughts on the actual oline though to consider. We had 3 rookies on the oline last year that now have a year on an NFL weight and training program (should really help Shane and Peart), Peart and Hernandez both looked like they were really effected with COVID. Hernandez is in a contract year.
Solder may have benefited from a year aware to focus on his family, get healthy, and refocus. As a backup, he may be a great asset. Judge also knows him very well and saw him up close when he was successful Maybe Judge better understands how to use him in a way that brings out his best.
Is Kyle Murphy this years Gates? Does Gates make an even bigger jump in year 2 of playing a position that he had not played before--a whole off season to focus on center and to work on areas to improve relating to being a center.
What do we have with Zach Fulton. He has starting experience. He started 16 games as a rookie. Is this the stop where it all comes together for him. He signed a 4 year 28 million contract with the Texans before coming to the Giants. I don't judge anyone who does not do great on that mess of a franchise. Maybe he is just quality depth or maybe we will luck out.
But with that said- taking an OL mitigates risk. There's a lot of risk here. And with that said sometimes you can't cover every hole.
And they are nicely positioned in 2022. Which helps mitigate some risk.
I repeat myself but to me it was so obvious how one player, who wasn't an OL made the OL appear to be better with his presence and the attention he drew (our O shit the bed when Plax shot himself and it wasn't all bc of his personal production).
The weapons we have in '21 are on a different scale compared to '20. Add OL experience, coaching, normal training camp, etc. Future's bright.
Just want to add one thing. The more experienced Daniel Jones and offensive line will probably be better at recognizing blitz schemes and adjusting their blocking assignments.
That is a very interesting stat to consider and will be interesting to see this year how that plays out.