The New York Giants wasted no time ushering in significant changes with the firing of head coach Pat Shurmur. His replacement will likely be decided on which candidate is best for the development of quarterback Daniel Jones.
The Giants finally answered their long-term question under center by taking Jones with the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He did not have to wait very long to get his opportunity to prove himself after Shurmur opted to bench quarterback Eli Manning in favor of the rookie in Week 3 and never looked back.
The move to Jones showed signs of sparking a potential resurgence thanks to his stellar play early on. Unfortunately, it was only a matter of time before he cooled off and fans were subject to witness a tremendous drop-off over the course of the 2019 NFL season.
Regardless, Daniel Jones still showed more than enough promise of his potential as a franchise quarterback by throwing for 3,027 yards, 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while finishing with a 87.8 QB rating. He also flashed some of his mobility out of the pocket by rushing for 279 yards and two touchdowns on 45 carries.
Unfortunately, Daniel Jones struggled mightily with taking care of the ball after leading the NFL with 18 fumbles, losing 11 of them. There is no question that the fact that he was so prone to turnovers resulted in his 3-9 record as a starter
Jones' shortcomings were magnified by his lackluster offensive line and a Giants' pass defense that ranked near the bottom of the league. It should also be noted that his talented supporting cast was never fully in tact as running back Saquon Barkley, tight end Evan Engram, and wide receiver Sterling Shepard all dealt with significant injuries at some point in the season.
However, the 22-year-old still failed to help his team compete in the worst division in football after sending a 9-7 Philadelphia Eagles team to the playoffs. Despite all these factors, Daniel Jones still should have been able to somewhat take advantage of the abysmal state of the NFC East by helping the Giants beat anyone other than the Washington Redskins.
Although New York is entering the offseason with much more questions than answers, the promise Daniel Jones showed was enough to garner a B- grade. The onus will now fall on the Giants' brass to ensure he is in a situation where he can continue to progress.
Follow Us
Subscribe