35+ Touchdowns Passes
If you really think about it, this isn’t a crazy idea given his production last season. Daniel Jones finished his rookie campaign with 24 touchdowns in only 12 games, which already projects to 32 touchdowns in a full 16-game season. Admittedly, some of his extra passing opportunities came solely due to Saquon Barkley’s ankle injury, although it could also be argued that this took New York’s most talented offensive weapon off the field for Jones.
One of the biggest reasons for an expected bump in production, beyond simple progression as a young quarterback, is improved health and development from their receiving core. Beyond Barkley’s absence, talented young tight end Evan Engram has missed 13 games over the past two seasons, and his production has been sorely missed.
Drafted 23rd overall out of Ole Miss in 2017, Engram was targeted 115 times as a rookie, and has never approached those numbers since. His absence gives even stronger backing to Jones’ rookie showing, as adept tight ends are often a rookie quarterback’s best friend. After spraining his foot in Week 9 against Dallas, Engram could not recover properly and missed the remainder of the season. If he can return to form and give Jones the elite tight end that so many offenses crave, the Giants’ offensive unit could look rather formidable.
A bump in production is also expected from New York’s receiving corps. After an unexpectedly strong rookie season from Darius Slayton (48 catches, 740 yards, 8 touchdowns), many now expect a massive jump in his second year. Given the preference of both Golden Tate and Sterling Shepard to play out of the slot, Slayton figures to be the team’s top outside target, and last season’s 15.4 yards per reception might already show us how well he can do there.
Speaking of which, Tate proved himself to be a valuable asset in his first year as a Giant, tallying over 100 targets for the fifth straight season and giving a stable veteran presence to a younger offensive skill group. He did record his lowest yardage total since 2012, but given turbulence at the quarterback position and elsewhere, his numbers are expected to return to form this season.
Shepard is the real wild card. After suffering two concussions in 2019, some questioned if he should even resume his career and risk his long-term health. However, no such indications have come from him, and he was on pace for 90+ catches and over 900 yards in the 10 games he did play. If he can remain healthy, and this receiving group can remain consistent, Daniel Jones has an underrated group of weapons around for his sophomore campaign.
