For the past few seasons, the playoffs have eluded the New York Giants like Barry Sanders. Dave Gettleman's teams took flimsy dives trying to catch a playoff berth but to no avail. In most seasons, it wasn't even close. Next season feels like another playoff-less campaign in MetLife Stadium.

New general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll have a tall task ahead of them. The Giants have a handful of promising payers, none of which scream “guaranteed star”. They also have a very messy salary cap situation. The only thing in their favor right now is their draft capital, as they own the fifth and seventh overall selections in the 2022 NFL Draft.

The Giants have countless directions to take their rebuild, which will almost certainly last for years under the new regime. The playoffs could be in reach by next season, though, if several things bounce the Giants' way. It isn't likely, but it isn't completely impossible either.

*Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*

3 major fixes Giants need to make the NFL playoffs in 2022

3. Find an elite quarterback

This may sound like something that has zero chance of happening, but it's where the Giants need to start. No matter how much other positions improve, Big Blue isn't going anywhere without a very good player under center. Daniel Jones has shown nothing to suggest he can play at a high level, so Schoen will have to look elsewhere.

Fortunately for the Giants, the class of quarterbacks that are available this offseason feature Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson. Both of them are aging but can also completely elevate an offense with their superior talents. Additionally, both of them would have to be acquired via trade. Parting with one, if not both, of their top picks in order to land one of them is a strong likelihood.

The draft offers little-to-no hope of finding a superstar-caliber quarterback, especially one that can be great immediately. New York could very well draft a quarterback they think could be the franchise guy, but whoever they pick will need time to get adjusted to the NFL level.

Because of how hard it will be to get an elite quarterback, the Giants' 2022 playoff hopes are dim. They'd have a better chance of finding a needle in a mansion-sized haystack. But things could get very interesting if one of the NFL's elite quarterbacks ends up wearing Giants blue next season.

2. Improve the offensive line

Since landing a star quarterback may prove to be very difficult, the offensive line is the area that the Giants should focus on the most during this offseason.

Left tackle Andrew Thomas looks very promising but none of his fellow New York linemen do. There are several highly touted prospects in the draft and highly talented free agents for the Giants to go after. They need to bring in reinforcements badly. Whether they run it back with Jones, land Rodgers or Wilson, draft a QB or sign someone else, they will need to get their offensive line right.

The Giants' group of receivers and running backs has the potential to be a terrific bunch. Regardless of who is throwing them the ball, they need to get help in the trenches.

1. Solve run defense's problems

The Giants' defense took a massive step back following a promising 2020 season. The biggest area of concern was run defense as New York surrendered the eighth-most rushing yards this season.

An early season-ending injury to middle linebacker Blake Martinez and the loss of defensive tackle B.J. Hill in free agency were key reasons why the defense faltered. Still, the inability of the Giants to contain running attacks without him signals a dire need for upgrades at the front of the defense.

Although New York's pass defense wasn't that great, their run defense was the reason why they were a bad defense. Owning the battle in the trenches is the most important part of the game. The Giants, frequently, were losers. They need to build a foundation on the defensive line badly.