Giants' preseason provided major takeaway for regular season
The New York Giants concluded its preseason slate and are now preparing for week one of the 2023 NFL season. Roster cuts have been made and the focus is on the Dallas Cowboys in the season opener on Sunday Night Football. While the starters did not play a ton in the preseason, the action did […]
The New York Giants concluded its preseason slate and are now preparing for week one of the 2023 NFL season. Roster cuts have been made and the focus is on the Dallas Cowboys in the season opener on Sunday Night Football.
While the starters did not play a ton in the preseason, the action did provide a major takeaway. That is the fact that the offense looks to be primed for a big year with head coach Brian Daboll entering his second year on the job.
The trade for tight end Darren Waller was the biggest move of the Giants' offseason. Acquiring a talent like Waller, who has shown to be one of the best at his position in the league, has a chance to elevate quarterback Daniel Jones in a big way.
That is the big thing that The Athletic NFL national columnist Ted Nguyen took away from watching New York in August. Nguyen broke down how offensive coordinator Mike Kafka utilized Waller in the limited action that the tight end played.
The Giants offense finished 10th in DVOA last season without a star pass catcher. When tight end Darren Waller is healthy, he is one of the league’s biggest mismatches. Quarterback Daniel Jones and Waller played one drive in the preseason, but I loved how offensive coordinator Mike Kafka deployed Waller in his eight snaps.
Waller finished his Giants preseason debut with three catches for 30 yards, averaging a first down per reception. It provided a glimpse into what the Jones-to-Waller connection can be when the games really start to matter.
It was only one drive, but it reestablished that the Giants staff knows how to put their players in position to win. Bellinger and Waller could be the best tight end pairing in the league and they’ll be fun to watch.
Daboll and Kafka have a real opportunity to build on the success that the team enjoyed last season. The addition of Waller and continued development of Jones could pay off in a major way for the New York Giants.
Featured image via USA TODAY Sports
