Giants news, 7/22: Wide receiver corps, “What Ifs?”, more headlines

Good morning, New York Giants fans!

The Giants announced a couple of roster moves on Wednesday.

Ranking all 32 NFL receiving corps ahead of the 2021 season - PFF

12. NEW YORK GIANTS

One of the biggest offseason storylines is the overhaul of New York’s pass-catchers. They signed Kenny Golladay, perhaps the best catch-point receiver in the NFL, and he’ll immediately add a necessary vertical threat. Since entering the league, Golladay has caught 53.6% of his contested targets, the fourth-best in the NFL.

The addition of Golladay takes the pressure off Darius Slayton, who has been an explosive playmaker in his own right. He’s averaged 15.2 yards per reception in his two years, and he pairs with Golladay to form one of the better vertical duos in the league.

The Giants then drafted Kadarius Toney in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he can make an immediate impact in the slot and on gimmick plays. Toney is dynamic with the ball in his hands; he’ll battle veteran Sterling Shepard for slot snaps after Shepard posted the top receiving grade on the team at 79.4 a year ago while ranking second with 37 first downs. That gives the Giants four receivers with different skill sets who can all contribute in their own way. They also took a flier on speedster John Ross, who has a couple of plays per year that remind you of his top-10 ability and 4.22 speed.

At tight end, Evan Engram returns after posting the lowest grade of his career at 60.5. Still, he’s a solid option in the passing game, and the addition of free agent Kyle Rudolph will help. Rudolph is more of a traditional tight end, and he’s a big-bodied red-zone threat who is at the tail end of a good career.

The Giants have made one of the biggest transformations in the passing game this offseason, and their variety of playmakers give them top-five potential.

What If? Who Each NFL Team Would Put into an Expansion Draft - Bleacher Report

NEW YORK GIANTS

OT Nate Solder, WR Sterling Shepard, OLB Cam Brown, CB Quincy Wilson, S Montre Hartage

There is, without question, not a team in the league that would rather see a veteran poached in an expansion draft.

In 2018, the New York Giants gave offensive tackle Nate Solder a four-year, $62 million contract to protect the blind side. The return on that investment has been pretty much nonexistent. Solder allowed 11 sacks in 2019 and sat out the 2020 season over concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Giants would probably also just as soon be rid of sixth-year veteran wide receiver Sterling Shepard. After catching 66 passes for 872 yards in 2018, Shepard got a four-year, $41 million extension. But he has failed to record even 700 receiving yards in the two seasons since and has just six touchdowns through the air.

Deep dive into make-or-break season for Giants’ Daniel Jones - NY Post

As has been the norm for this offseason, the talk around Daniel Jones continues as training camp approaches.

Here’s how NY Giants positioned Daniel Jones to make year 3 leap - Fansided

Speaking of DJ, here’s Matt Lobardo’s take on how the G-Men will make a Year Three leap happen.

Ranking Giants’ 25 most important players: Why signing James Bradberry might be Dave Gettleman’s best-ever move as GM - NJ.com

Arguably the top player on the Giants defense right now, Bradberry as a tremendous pickup last offseason.

In case you missed it

• Around SB Nation: What other NFL blogs are discussing
• Ranking the defensive lines of each NFC East team
• Giants 2021 roster profile: CB Rodarius Williams
• Giants 2021 roster rankings: Nos. 60-51
• Giants 2021 roster profile: CB Jarren Williams

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