The New York Giants narrowly missed the playoffs last season. However, with a new campaign comes new opportunities. The Giants are poised to make a statement in the 2023 NFL season. Here are four bold predictions for the Giants in the upcoming season.

New York Giants' Performance in 2022

The Giants finished the 2022 NFL season with a 9-7 record, which was not enough to secure a playoff spot. Despite the disappointment of missing the playoffs, the Giants showed promise and potential for the upcoming season. QB Daniel Jones was pretty solid last year with more than 3,200 passing yards and 15 touchdowns. Saquon Barkley was also great with 1,312 rushing yards and 10 TDs. With some key additions and improvements, the Giants are poised to take the next step in the 2023 NFL season.

As the 2023 NFL Regular Season approaches, it's time to look ahead and make some bold predictions about what we can expect from Daniel Jones and the New York Giants.

4. Kayvon Thibodeaux's Rise to Double-Digit Sacks

In the previous season, Kayvon Thibodeaux, the fifth overall pick from 2022, had a bit of a roller-coaster rookie journey. Hampered by an MCL sprain during the preseason, he had a slow start. Nonetheless, he managed to compile 49 tackles, two fumble recoveries, four sacks, and 18 quarterback pressures across 14 games.

Sure, it might be a bit much to expect Thibodeaux to immediately become an All-Pro player in his second season. Still, he's undoubtedly on an upward trajectory. He has benefitted from a second season under the guidance of experienced defensive coordinator Don Martindale. For sure, he's gained valuable experience going up against quality NFL linemen. Our prediction is that Thibodeaux will become the leading sack producer for the Giants. He should reach double-digit sacks for the first time in his career.

3. Isaiah Hodgins Surpasses the 900-yard Mark

Despite a somewhat lackluster receiving corps in 2022, Daniel Jones managed to spread the ball around. Darius Slayton even led the team with a modest 724 receiving yards. Notably, four other receivers crossed the 300-yard threshold.

We believe the leading receiver for the Giants will go beyond 900 yards this season. That would be a significant improvement compared to the previous year. For us, Isaiah Hodgins should emerge as that statistical leader.

Recall that Hodgins was scooped up by the Giants in early November. The 24-year-old wasted no time integrating himself into the team's offense. Despite only playing in eight games, with five starts, he managed to record 33 receptions for 351 yards and four touchdowns.

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In a full season, Hodgins should record around 800 yards and eight touchdowns. He should be on the cusp of a notable leap in his statistics. This season could mark his emergence as Daniel Jones' primary target on the outer edges of the field.

2. Daniel Jones Achieves Career-Highs

Last season, many expected that under the guidance of Brian Daboll, Daniel Jones would flourish. Sure, there were certainly some improvements in his performance. He finished with a career-high 92.5 passer rating even if he averaged just 6.8 yards per attempt. However, it's crucial to acknowledge the limitations Jones faced due to the lack of quality receivers last season.

With the team bolstering their receiving group during the offseason, Jones' performance will likely improve. This is even before considering the benefits of a second season within the same system and his natural progression. With guys like Slayton, Hodgins, and Darren Waller as prime targets and more dynamic threats in the receiving corps, we might witness the finest version of Daniel Jones in his NFL journey.

1. Playoff Miss for the Giants

Despite the potential improvements we've discussed, it's plausible that even an improved version of Jones might struggle to offset the setbacks from the previous season. Last season, the Giants ranked 15th in scoring drive percentage on offense. Still, despite a negative points differential, they clinched nine victories and secured a playoff spot as a Wild Card entry. They even eventually eliminated the Minnesota Vikings and made it to the Divisional Round.

Analyzing the roster on paper, it's evident that there are some gaps and a heavy reliance on young players. The previous season might have been an overachievement. Replicating that success could prove challenging for the coaching staff. Consequently, there's a possibility that the team could take a step back in the 2023 season, despite Jones' improved quarterbacking.

Looking Ahead

As the 2023 NFL season approaches, anticipation is building for the New York Giants. They have a talented roster, offensive improvements, and a strong defensive lineup. As such, the Giants could potentially surpass expectations. That said, they do have some gaps and challenges moving forward. We'll see if they can meet or fall below expectations.