2023 New York Giants Outlook

The 2023 NFL season is right around the corner and that means fantasy football drafts are underway. Before you assemble your championship dynasty, redraft, or high-stakes squad, FullTime Fantasy members will have an in-depth, player-by-player preview of all 32 teams from football legend Shawn Childs.

Also, check out Jody Smith’s NFL offensive line rankings and exclusive 2023 Strength of Schedule analysis.

Up next in our extensive NFL and fantasy football preview series is Shawn’s deep dive into the 2023 New York Giants Outlook.

— Quarterback —

Daniel Jones

Over his first three seasons with the Giants, Jones posted a 12-25 record with 45 passing touchdowns and 49 turnovers (29 interceptions and 36 fumbles – 20 lost). He added value to their run game (172/1,000/5 – 5.8 yards per rush), but Jones gained only 6.6 yards per pass attempt in his career. Five of his six 300-yard passing games came in his rookie season. 

In 2021, he missed the final six matchups with a neck injury that didn’t require surgery. His only game of value came in Week 2 (429/2) while failing to deliver over two scores in any contest.

Jones set a career-best with his completion rate (67.2) last season, giving him three consecutive years of improvement. The change in coaching staff allowed him to be much more active in the run game (120/708/7), but he averaged only 29.5 passes over his 16 starts. Over his last 41 games, Jones threw only 36 passing touchdowns. His best growth area in 2022 was turnovers (five interceptions and three lost fumbles). He passed for more than 300 yards three times (341/1, 334/1, and 301/2) while finishing with 200 or fewer passing yards in 12 of his 18 matchups (including the postseason). 

Fantasy Outlook: Despite missing one game, Jones finished 12th in quarterback scoring (329/05) in four-point passing touchdowns leagues. He scored more than 30.00 fantasy points in four games (30.80, 30.05, 37.95, and 30.85), two of which came from big days on the ground (11/107/1 and 11/91/2). This draft season, Jones is the 15th quarterback off the board. New York gave him a big-play wideout in this year’s draft, suggesting a new top in his yards per pass attempt (6.8 or below in all four seasons in the NFL). With 525 pass attempts, Jones has a chance at 4,300 combined yards with about 27 touchdowns.

Other Options: Tyrod Taylor, DeVito

— Running Backs —

The running back production for the Giants had a significant jump last year. They had 46 more rushing attempts than in 2021 but gained 408 rushing yards while setting three-year tops in yards per rush (4.4) and rushing touchdowns (13). On the downside, New York gave their backs fewer chances in the passing game (84/528/0), with continued weakness in their yards per catch (6.3). They finished with 2,228 combined yards with 13 touchdowns and 84 catches (22.64 FPPG in PPR formats).

Saquon Barkley

In his rookie season, Barkley ranked second in running back scoring (385.80 in PPR leagues – 2,028 combined yards with 15 touchdowns and 91 catches). He gained 1,441 combined yards the following year with eight touchdowns and 52 catches over 13 games (high-ankle sprain). His success over his first 29 games came to 21.65 fantasy points per game. 

A torn ACL in his right knee in 2020 led to only two games of action (94 yards and six catches on 25 touches).

In 2021, Barkley struggled over his first two games (23/83 – 3.6 yards per catch and three catches for 13 yards) before looking sharp over the next two weeks (220 combined with three touchdowns and 11 catches). Unfortunately, a left ankle injury in Week 5 led to him missing most of his next five games. When Barkley returned to the lineup, the Giants’ offense lacked a pulse, leading to a dull finish to the season (521 combined yards with one score and 27 catches). He gained only 3.7 yards per rush and 4.9 yards per catch over this span.

The change in coaching staff in 2022 led to Barkley getting 352 touches, leading to career-highs in carries (295), rushing yards (1,312), and rushing touchdowns (13). He had nine plays of 20 yards or more, with three reaching the 40-yard mark. New York struggled to get him in space in the passing game (5.9 yards per catch). Barkley rushed for more than 100 yards in four games (18/164/1, 31/146, 24/110, and 35/152/1) but none after Week 10. 

Fantasy Outlook: He finished fifth in running back scoring (284.50) in PPR leagues while delivering only one impact game (33.40 fantasy points in Week 1). Barkley scored between 17.00 and 27.50 fantasy points in 10 of his 18 starts. His lowest three outputs (6.80, 7.80, and 10.20 fantasy points) came over his final six matchups. In mid-June, Barkley is the fifth running back drafted with an early second-round ADP. The Giants gave him a franchise tag this spring, possibly inviting a holdout this summer and into the season. With the Giants trending up, I believe Barkley will get signed before the start of the season. He has an upside of 1,800 combined yards with double-digit scores and 70 catches. 

Eric Gray

Over the past three seasons at Oklahoma, Gray had caught 86 of his 106 targets for 712 yards and four touchdowns. His best opportunity in the run game came in 2022 (213/1,366/11), where he set a four-year high in yards per rush (6.4). Gray gained 3,816 combined yards with 26 scores and 99 catches in his 47 games in college. 

Fantasy Outlook: Gray gives New York an upside RB2 for…

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT OUT OF THE GIANTS IN 2023?

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