Giants.com is counting down to the start of 2024 Giants Training Camp with 24 questions in 24 days.
1) What are your expectations for the 2024 New York Football Giants?
John Schmeelk: I honestly struggle with expectations for this team given how the last two seasons went. The 2022 Giants won a playoff game after going 9-7-1. Their positive record in close games inflated their win total given their negative point differential. It was a credit to the coaching staff they had such a successful 2022 season.
The 2023 season is more of a mystery. There are two factors I am having trouble properly putting into the equation. Four of the Giants' six wins came against teams that finished with worse records than they had (Cardinals, Patriots and the Commanders twice) and the fifth came against a fading Eagles team. The Giants were also tied for the most takeaways (31) and best turnover ratio in the NFL (+12), which determines wins and losses as much as any other stat. It will be hard to replicate that for a second consecutive season.
I believe the Giants are a more talented football team than they were in 2022. The additions of Brian Burns, Malik Nabers, Jon Runyan, Jermaine Eluemunor, Devin Singletary and the improvement of young players already on the roster should push the overall roster quality in a positive direction. New coaches like Shane Bowen, Michael Ghobrial, and Carmen Bricillo should also help.
It would be hard for the team not to be healthier at key position than they were in 2022, though I don't think the turnover ratio will be as high. They still have some developing teams on their schedule like the Commanders and Panthers. The pass protection should be better, which should lead to better quarterback play, which drives everything.
I certainly expect more than six wins. I want the team to have a realistic chance to make the playoffs when they leave Dallas on Thanksgiving and enter December to begin a five-game stretch that includes three at home. Only two of the final five games are against teams that made the playoffs last season. Can the Giants get to nine wins and give themselves a real chance to be a playoff team?
Dan Salomone: I've always liked team president John Mara's definition of a successful season: You want to walk off the field after the last game knowing that you're going in the right direction. Granted, the ideal scenario is having confetti fall on your head while you have that thought. But that's not plausible every year.
Instead, coming off a six-win season, you simply want to build on the positives (like finishing 4-3 after a 2-8 start) and fix the negatives (like protecting the quarterback, run defense, and big-play ability on offense). On paper, the Giants did just that over the offseason. They have a formidable front four on which defensive coordinator Shane Bowen can hang his hat. It might be that group that leads the way for the entire team, which the Giants know a thing or two about historically.
As far as overall expectations, the only thing you can expect in the NFL is the unexpected. That goes double for the NFC East, where there has not been a repeat champion since the early 2000s. No season is ever like the one before, and that's good news for the Giants in this cycle.
Matt Citak: The first two seasons under GM Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll were quite different. Expectations for the Giants from those outside of the Quest Diagnostics Training Center were quite low, and the team responded with 10 total wins, including a Wild Card victory over the Vikings, the franchise's first playoff win since Super Bowl XLVI. Then in Year 2, with expectations a lot higher following the playoff appearance, the team was unable to overcome the numerous injuries on both sides of the ball and wound up 6-11 and with the sixth overall pick in the draft.
In Year 3, let's start with the defense. Going back to last offseason, the Giants added several players that should serve significant roles on the defense this year. Between the arrival of linebacker Bobby Okereke and cornerback Deonte Banks last offseason and outside linebacker Brian Burns and safety Tyler Nubin this offseason, just to name a few, I expect the defense to take a big step in the right direction in 2024. The trio of Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence has to be in the conversation for the best pass-rushing trio on any team across the league, as the three players combined for 148 total quarterback pressures last season. Okereke and Micah McFadden created a formidable linebacker duo in their first season together and were recently ranked as the No. 5 LB unit in the league, according to Pro Football Focus, which also included Isaiah Simmons. While the secondary might be the youngest of the three levels of the Giants defense, the group consists of some talented and promising players, such as Banks, Nubin and Jason Pinnock, among numerous others. Overall, the defense has more talent up and down the roster than it has in recent years. After ranking 26th in points and 27th in yards allowed last year, I expect the unit to make a big jump in both areas.
The offense's group of playmakers has endured a similar infusion of talent over the last few offseasons as the defense. Schoen has used a first-round pick (Malik Nabers), a second-round pick (Wan'Dale Robinson) and third-round pick (Jalin Hyatt) on wide receivers since becoming GM, along with two fourth-round picks on tight ends (Daniel Bellinger and Theo Johnson) and two fifth-round picks on running backs (Eric Gray and Tyrone Tracy Jr.).
The three wide receivers, in addition to Darius Slayton, should provide the offense with its most talented wide receiver room in a long time. While the loss of Saquon Barkley is noteworthy, Schoen filled that vacancy with the addition of reliable veteran in Devin Singletary. Leading the unit for the sixth consecutive season will be Daniel Jones. We all know how Jones' 2023 campaign went, so we don't have to get into it again. The level of success that Jones and the rest of the offense are able to achieve this season will likely depend on the performance of the offensive line. The additions of Jon Runyan Jr. and Jermaine Eluemunor should help improve the interior of the line, especially if center John Michael Schmitz can take a step in Year 2. Meanwhile, a healthy Andrew Thomas should produce the All-Pro results we've seen out of the franchise left tackle whenever he's been on the field the last two seasons. That just leaves right tackle Evan Neal, who could go a long way in solidifying the line with some growth in 2024. The entire unit should benefit from the presence of offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, who has earned rave reviews from his players over the last few years.
Get excited for the 2024 season with photos from Media Day at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.

DL Dexter Lawrence II (97), ILB Bobby Okereke (58)


T Andrew Thomas (78)

WR Malik Nabers (9)

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)

ILB Bobby Okereke (58), CB Deonte Banks (3)

QB Daniel Jones (8)

DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)

RB Devin Singletary (26)

WR Darius Slayton (86)

WR Jalin Hyatt (13)

CB Deonte Banks (3)

ILB Bobby Okereke (58)

S Jason Pinnock (27)

S Dane Belton (24)

S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19)

S Jason Pinnock (27)

CB Deonte Banks (3)

WR Darius Slayton (86)

WR Jalin Hyatt (13)

DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)

DL D.J. Davidson (98)

WR Jalin Hyatt (13)

CB Tre Hawkins III (37)

CB Tre Hawkins III (37)

QB Tommy DeVito (15)

WR Jalin Hyatt (13)

QB Tommy DeVito (15)

CB Deonte Banks (3)

TE Lawrence Cager (83)

CB Deonte Banks (3)

ILB Bobby Okereke (58)

CB Deonte Banks (3)

QB Tommy DeVito (15)

ILB Bobby Okereke (58)

QB Tommy DeVito (15)

CB Deonte Banks (3)

ILB Bobby Okereke (58)

ILB Bobby Okereke (58), CB Deonte Banks (3)

ILB Bobby Okereke (58)

ILB Bobby Okereke (58)

ILB Bobby Okereke (58), CB Deonte Banks (3)

ILB Bobby Okereke (58)

ILB Bobby Okereke (58)

ILB Bobby Okereke (58)

WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)

ILB Bobby Okereke (58)

T Andrew Thomas (78)

S Dane Belton (24)

T Andrew Thomas (78)

T Andrew Thomas (78)

S Dane Belton (24)

WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)

WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)

WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)

WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)




DB Jalen Mills (21)

DL Dexter Lawrence II (97), ILB Bobby Okereke (58)

DL Dexter Lawrence II (97), ILB Bobby Okereke (58)

CB Deonte Banks (3)

ILB Bobby Okereke (58)

ILB Bobby Okereke (58)

DL Dexter Lawrence II (97), ILB Bobby Okereke (58)

WR Jalin Hyatt (13)

WR Jalin Hyatt (13)

WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)

T Evan Neal (73)

WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)

WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)

WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)

DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)

DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)

DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)

RB Devin Singletary (26)

RB Devin Singletary (26)

RB Devin Singletary (26)

RB Devin Singletary (26)

RB Devin Singletary (26)

RB Devin Singletary (26)

CB Deonte Banks (3)

RB Devin Singletary (26)

OLB Azeez Ojulari (51)

CB Deonte Banks (3)

CB Deonte Banks (3)

CB Deonte Banks (3)

CB Deonte Banks (3)

CB Deonte Banks (3)

CB Deonte Banks (3)

S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19)

QB Drew Lock (2)

CB Darnay Holmes (30)

QB Daniel Jones (8)

T Evan Neal (73)

QB Daniel Jones (8)

QB Daniel Jones (8)

T Evan Neal (73)

S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19)

DB Jalen Mills (21)

DB Jalen Mills (21)

S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19)

S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19)

OLB Brian Burns (0)

DT Jordon Riley (95)

ILB Darius Muasau (53)

WR Jalin Hyatt (13)

WR Jalin Hyatt (13)

WR Jalin Hyatt (13)

WR Jalin Hyatt (13)

WR Malik Nabers (9)

OLB Brian Burns (0)

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)

WR Malik Nabers (9)

WR Malik Nabers (9)

WR Malik Nabers (9)

WR Malik Nabers (9)

TE Theo Johnson (47)

ILB Darius Muasau (53)

RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)

WR Jalin Hyatt (13)

WR Jalin Hyatt (13)

OL Jermaine Eluemunor (72)

S Tyler Nubin (31)

WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)

S Tyler Nubin (31)

S Tyler Nubin (31)

S Tyler Nubin (31)

S Tyler Nubin (31)

S Tyler Nubin (31)

DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)

DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)

WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)

CB Deonte Banks (3)

WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)

QB Daniel Jones (8)

CB Deonte Banks (3)

DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)

OLB Boogie Basham (55)

QB Daniel Jones (8)

CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)

QB Drew Lock (2)

DB Jalen Mills (21)

QB Drew Lock (2)

CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)

DB Jalen Mills (21)

S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19)

S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19)

S Jason Pinnock (27)

S Jason Pinnock (27)

S Jason Pinnock (27)

OLB Boogie Basham (55)

S Jason Pinnock (27)

OLB Boogie Basham (55)

OLB Boogie Basham (55)

WR Darius Slayton (86)

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)

OLB Boogie Basham (55)

OLB Brian Burns (0)

OLB Boogie Basham (55)

WR Darius Slayton (86)

WR Darius Slayton (86)

WR Darius Slayton (86)

CB Tre Hawkins III (37)

WR Darius Slayton (86)

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)

OLB Brian Burns (0)

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)

OLB Brian Burns (0)

OLB Brian Burns (0)

OLB Brian Burns (0)

OLB Brian Burns (0)

OLB Brian Burns (0)

OLB Brian Burns (0)

OLB Brian Burns (0)

OLB Brian Burns (0)

CB Dru Phillips (22)

Jimmy Morrissey (67)

WR Dennis Houston (88)

DL D.J. Davidson (98)

ILB Micah McFadden (41)

P Jamie Gillan (6)

P Jamie Gillan (6)

T Andrew Thomas (78)

DL Ryder Anderson (90)

DL D.J. Davidson (98)

T Andrew Thomas (78)

G Aaron Stinnie (64)

C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)

G/C Austin Schlottmann (65)

ILB Carter Coughlin (52)

DT Jordon Riley (95)

ILB Darrian Beavers (43)

DT Jordon Riley (95)

C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)

ILB Carter Coughlin (52)

ILB Darrian Beavers (43)

WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)

ILB Darrian Beavers (43)

T Andrew Thomas (78)

S Dane Belton (24)

RB Eric Gray (20)

TE Lawrence Cager (83)

TE Daniel Bellinger (82)

DB Kaleb Hayes (38)

DB Kaleb Hayes (38)

WR Dennis Houston (88)

TE Lawrence Cager (83)

RB Eric Gray (20)

WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)

RB Eric Gray (20)

LS Casey Kreiter (59)

WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)

ILB Micah McFadden (41)

CB Nick McCloud (44)

S Dane Belton (24)

WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)

OLB Boogie Basham (55)

TE Daniel Bellinger (82)

Nathan Rourke (3)

G Aaron Stinnie (64)

K Graham Gano (9)

OLB Boogie Basham (55)

S Jason Pinnock (27)

WR Miles Boykin (81)

Elijah Riley (34)

OL Marcus McKethan (60)

TE Chris Manhertz (85)

WR John Jiles (0)

WR Malik Nabers (9)

CB Dru Phillips (22)

RB Devin Singletary (26)

T Evan Neal (73)

TE Theo Johnson (47)

S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19)

CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver III (36)

WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)

G Jon Runyan (76)

WR Darius Slayton (86)

WR Ayir Asante (19)

WR Ayir Asante (19)

DT Casey Rogers (91)

OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)

Elijah Chatman (94)

WR Jalin Hyatt (13)

RB Dante Miller (25)

Jake Kubas (63)

DB Jalen Mills (21)

RB Dante Miller (25)

DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)

DB Jalen Mills (21)

QB Drew Lock (2)

Marcellus Johnson

WR Allen Robinson II (15)

CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)

CB Tre Hawkins III (37)

WR Allen Robinson II (15)

OLB Azeez Ojulari (51)

CB Deonte Banks (3)

OLB Azeez Ojulari (51)

LB Matthew Adams (49)

DL Timmy Horne (96)

DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)

DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)

ILB Bobby Okereke (58)

OLB Benton Whitley (48)

S Gervarrius Owens (39)

TE Chris Manhertz (85)

CB Deonte Banks (3)

CB Deonte Banks (3)

TE Jack Stoll (89)

QB Nathan Rourke (3)

Daniel Bellinger (82)

Lawrence Cager (83)

John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)

John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)

Darrian Beavers (43)

Darrian Beavers (43)

Lawrence Cager (83)

Lawrence Cager (83)

Dane Belton (24)

Darrian Beavers (43)

Dane Belton (24)

Darrian Beavers (43)

Dane Belton (24)

Dane Belton (24)

Daniel Bellinger (82)

Daniel Bellinger (82)

WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)

LS Casey Kreiter (59)

QB Tommy DeVito (15)

QB Tommy DeVito (15)

LS Casey Kreiter (59)

QB Tommy DeVito (15)

LS Casey Kreiter (59)

RB Eric Gray (20)

LS Casey Kreiter (59)

RB Eric Gray (20)

Micah McFadden (41)

Micah McFadden (41)

RB Eric Gray (20)

Micah McFadden (41)

Micah McFadden (41)

Micah McFadden (41)

Micah McFadden (41)
