Like a lot of us when the Dallas/Philly trade occurred, yer all knew the writing on the wall. We were very disappointed that we could not get that impact wide receiver in Smith. I am now thinking and trying to envision Smith on the Giants on the Giants , as opposed to Toney. We all know that Smith is a superior route runner, which the Giants sorely needed and he can make the wide receiving corps better. As I thought about the Toney selection, I couldn’t help, but think that Toney could be just as impactful or maybe more, as a threat through gadgety plays. I also noticed his running mentally. He really runs angry, which attributes to his yards after the catch as well as the shiftiness. The other issue is size and frame. Smith is only 166 pounds and 6’1”, compared to Toney at 195 lbs and 5 ‘11”. Do we find these more superior traits to Smith? What are your thoughts? Could he have a higher ceiling than Smith? Am I trying to over to justify this, just because the Giants didn’t get Smith?
Well Saban did try and recruit him.. so he saw something.
I can’t say I had watched Toney much at all this year. Highlights and experts see a quick, exceptionally shifty player. He’s played QB in HS and played from RB. If that shiftiness translate to this level and we “focus on what he CAN do” as Judge says, seems like he might add a dimension for us. We have a pretty good straight slot WR in Shep. We now have Golladay outside. Saquon in the backfield. Seems like Toney could give teams a lot to think about. But it’s all TBD now.
Toney vs Rashod Bateman is a question that, as it plays out, will go a long way to determining the retrospective grade for this NYG draft.
Mind you, I think (at least at this point) the Giants did their best to make lemonade with the situation. They didn't pass on Smith, he was taken before their pick. And given where the franchise is, a trade up would been a very questionable choice.
The choice wasn't 'Smith or Toney' - the choice was Toney + picks vs. (for example) Slater. It's entirely possible that the Giants OL falls apart this year and the Giants regret not getting more assets in for the Line (or just regret cutting Zeitler). But it's hard not to think Toney + picks was great value over pretty much anyone they could have drafted with their original pick.
Mind you, I think (at least at this point) the Giants did their best to make lemonade with the situation. They didn't pass on Smith, he was taken before their pick. And given where the franchise is, a trade up would been a very questionable choice.
The choice wasn't 'Smith or Toney' - the choice was Toney + picks vs. (for example) Slater. It's entirely possible that the Giants OL falls apart this year and the Giants regret not getting more assets in for the Line (or just regret cutting Zeitler). But it's hard not to think Toney + picks was great value over pretty much anyone they could have drafted with their original pick.
I probably should’ve clarified my question more. What I actually meant was more impactful to the team and not as much as the individual.
We made the best of a bad situation but Smith is the better player.
C'mon let's move on.
Smith minus who the Eagles couldve had in the 3rd (Aaron Robinson?)
OR
Toney plus Chicago's 1st and 4th next year.
That’s the affirmation that I’m looking for. Not as the individual, back how impactful as a team member.
Getting Toney at 20 plus all the picks is unreal. We loaded up on WR this year with Golladay, Ross and Toney. Add Rudolph and the return of Barkley and this is a much better offense. Right now Toney fits and compliments the other pieces while adding the gadget element. Should also see time on special teams which is more in like with Waddle over Smith.
I think we did very well to add a talented player with more upside. Smith is a great player right now.
We made the best of a bad situation but Smith is the better player.
This^^^.
I’m all in on Toney now that the pick is in, but there’s no way based on what we know now you can say Toney will be more impactful. Maybe if we had an offense like the Chiefs. But with Garrett I have no idea how good we’ll be with finding a way to exploit Toney’s talents. While Smith is plug and play.
Toney vs Rashod Bateman is a question that, as it plays out, will go a long way to determining the retrospective grade for this NYG draft.
I agree. I really liked Bateman, so it will be interesting to see which scenario plays out better.
Agreed. I like the pick and the scenario in which it happened (trade down and extra 1st)... but Smith was so incredibly good for Alabama.
We made the best of a bad situation but Smith is the better player.
This.
Smith would have been awesome. Smith is a true #1 outside WR with a big catch radius, good long speed, quickness, and great route running. Smith has the ceiling to be a skinny Antonio Brown minus the crazy.
Toney doesn’t have that kind of outside ability or overall potential imo. He’s more of a unique change of direction monster of a player who projects to be a potentially great slot WR and gadget guy.
IF Smiths strength turns out to be an issue against NFL caliber DBs, then I could absolutely see Toney add more of an impact. But Smith is the more natural pass catcher on the outside and I expect him to have the better career, unfortunately.
It could be Jones to Toney for this year, if they're both healthy, if we see Danny Dimes again and if Toney picks up the offense quickly.
And that concerns me. Garrett's offense has been characterized as a power run, play action, long ball offense. Though there were plenty of shorter crossing routes last year. I just hope Toney's not a toy Dave likes that Jason tries to turn into a more conventional WR.
If he's able to constantly move him around, and design plays to his and Barkley's strengths, sky's the limit. I fantasize about he and Barkley lined up together in the backfield and one going in motion, or running reverses, getting the ball in motion, or Toney doing a run/pass option to Barkley coming out of the backfield since is a valid option to throw the ball.
He's a potential multipurpose offensive weapon, not just a WR.
Jason still works for Joe. Joe's not going to shrug and say "Well, it's Jason's offense." He's going to make sure they're using Toney to best advantage.
Absolutely. If we traded up for Smith and the Eagles drafted Toney, this thread on an Eagle fan board would be getting laughed at here (and rightfully so).
Giants missed out on the Jedi, and still picked up a promising first round talent at WR. But, he's not at Smith's level, nor Waddle's. Give him some time to grow and let's see how the Giants deploy him. Give it some more time after it in case Garrett winds up being shown the door, which I think is quite likely.