2021-2022 Giants Season Outlook: The Case for Optimism
By wheeels_
on May 3, 2021, 7:07pm EDT
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With the conclusion of the draft, all that's left to do is look forward to training camp, then the start of the season. The Giants are building momentum, going from 2-14 to one game shy of a playoff birth in just two years under Dave Gettleman and I believe that the Giants will continue to building on this success in Joe Judge's second year as head coach. Here's why:
1. Improved Health
If the 2020 New York Giants stay healthy, they are a postseason team. It's more than Saquon Barkley's unfortunate and grisly injury in week 2, Daniel Jones was clearly hampered by am ankle injury in the second half of the season that saw him miss time, and not look the same upon return. It's not controversial to say that the Giants win at least one more game with their Quarterback and star Running Back healthy, so getting Jones and Barkley back at 100% is exciting. Heath plays an especially important part in Daniel Jones' development, he has not had a full season to completely develop and refine his game. Additionally, Will Hernandez had an off year in 2020, hampered by off-field concerns and even a bout of COVID-19, but Hernandez has the ability to, with time, return to form and be a strong protector on the inside for Danny Dimes. It's no secret he was playing through a number of problems, including some injury. An underrated returning piece is the oft-hated Nate Solder. Solder opted out of the 2020 season, and was a turnstile in 2019 thanks to nagging injuries. With over a year and a half to get healthy, Solder will, at bear minimum, be a valuable swing tackle and depth piece, but he may well challenge Matt Peart for the Right Tackle job. On the defensive side of the ball, Edge rushers Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines return after missing all of last year. The Giants' pass rush was modestly productive in their absence (mostly due to Leonard Williams), but their return is cause for celebration. Xavier McKinney did return in the tail end of 2020, but he was on the field sparingly, and only had one meaningful game in my eyes (Week 17 vs. Dallas), so a full season of healthy Xavier McKinney is exciting. Gary Brightwell was a pick that had many scratching their heads, but he has a defined role in New York: play hard on special teams, and come in for Saquon on tough, short yardage situations. The Giants