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The New York Giants are entering a new era ahead of the 2022 season. With a new head coach and general manager in Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen, respectively, New York will be looking to show positive progress in the first year under the leadership of the new regime.
No one is expecting a winning season for Daboll and Schoen in year one. However, fans will certainly want to see some fight out of Big Blue. Not only that, but they'll want to see certain players, such as Daniel Jones, take a step forward.
But it's not just Jones who could impress Giants fans. There are some unheralded players on the roster who could impress in 2022. Some might even call them “hidden gems.”
These gems are players that may not immediately come to mind as impact performers. Who are the Giants' hidden gems? Without further ado, let's get to the two players who fans should keep an eye on in 2022.
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Giants Hidden Gems On 2022 Roster
2. DE Quincy Roche
Pass rusher Quincy Roche is one hidden gem to keep an eye on in 2022. Roche arrived on the Giants' roster via waivers last season in September. In 14 games, Roche tallied 2.5 sacks, 38 combined tackles and five quarterback hits.
The 24-year-old's numbers didn't jump off the page. However, he impressed New York with his play in a Week 9 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, when he forced a fumble on Raiders signal-caller Derek Carr with 44 seconds left. The play helped seal a Giants victory.
He emerged as a dependable third edge rusher behind Azeez Ojulari and Lorenzo Carter. Now, his role might not be quite as defined, with first round draft pick Kayvon Thibodeaux in the fold.
However, Thibodeaux has been dealing with a hip injury, never a good sign for a rookie. The explosive first rounder could end up navigating the ailment, coming out of it just fine.
But what if it lingers?
It would be good for New York to have a dependable option behind Thiobodeaux. That guy could be Roche.
1. WR Richie James
The Giants would like to see Jones take a step forward in 2022. It would certainly help, then, if he had plenty of receivers at his disposal.
No one knows what New York is going to get out of Kenny Golladay. It would be nice to see him return to the 1000-yard seasons he displayed in Detroit, though injuries have begun to affect his availability.
The same goes for Sterling Shepard and last year's promising rookie, Kadarius Toney. Each have popped up as red flags on the injury report in their young careers.
That's where Richie James could come in. James, a former seventh round pick by the San Francisco 49ers, was brought in as a depth wideout/return specialist.
He's never exceeded the 394 yards he tallied back in 2020. A knee injury then derailed his 2021 campaign.
However, James flashed his skills in a Week 9 game against the Green Bay Packers back in 2020. He put up a career-high 184 yards, tallying three catches of 40 yards or more.
That kind of explosiveness can definitely play in the NFL. Plus, the Giants have a history of unheralded receivers shining in the NFL. See Victor Cruz.
If James gets an opportunity, he could be a big-time contributor for the Giants in 2022.
