Giants news 5/31: playoff pressure, 2018 draft, more headlines

Good morning, New York Giants fans!

5 NFL Teams Under the Most Pressure to Make the Playoffs in 2021 - Bleacher Report

New York Giants

This offseason, the New York Giants took an aggressive approach in free agency, signing wide receiver Kenny Golladay to a four-year, $72 million deal and cornerback Adoree’ Jackson to a three-year, $39 million pact. Both list top 12 at their respective positions in annual salary, per Spotrac.

Giants co-owner John Mara made the team’s 2021 objective crystal clear.

“It’s time for us to start winning,” Mara said. “That’s one of the reasons we spent the money we did.”

Quarterback Daniel Jones must make good use of Golladay, one of the Giants’ prized acquisitions. Jones threw for 2,943 yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season. Now going into a critical third year with a go-to receiver, Jones must elevate the offense whether running back Saquon Barkley can play through a full season or not.

Dave Gettleman, who drafted Jones in the first round of the 2019 draft, is 15-33 as the Giants’ general manager. With that record, he had to approach the offseason in win-now mode.

Last year, at 6-10, the Giants finished second in the NFC East behind the Washington Football Team, yet they went 4-2 within their division. With a top-10 defense from the previous campaign and pricey acquisitions on both sides of the ball, Gettleman isn’t likely to see a fourth season if Jones struggles on a non-playoff squad.

How much worse does 2018 NFL Draft look for Jets, Giants 3 years later? It’s not pretty - nj.com

One might think that former #3 overall pick Sam Darnold’s trade to Carolina prior to his replacement’s selection in this year’s draft would mean that the Giants got it right at #2, but Saquon Barkley’s limited availability over the past two seasons (alongside other good-but-not-great platers from the Giants class) make the once-highly regarded 2018 class look not so great.

NFL rumors: Should NY Giants sign K.J. Wright? Fansided

A highly graded and skilled linebacker, would K.J. Wright help bring talent to a group that hasn’t been a team strength in some time?

In Case You Missed It:

• Giants 2021 roster profile: TE Evan Engram
• Giants’ Blake Martinez chases different kind of glory in the offseason
• Giants 2021 roster profile: LB Devante Downs
• Big Blue View mailbag: Memorial Day Weekend edition

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