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Mailbag: Potential of Big Blue's offense 

MAILBAG-DANIEL-JONES-SAQUON-BARKLEY-EVAN-ENGRAM

Glenn in New York: With the talent around Daniel Jones, his ability with the long ball and all around athleticism, is it possible to see a 5,000-yard season from Jones (passing and rushing combined)?

John Schmeelk: As many weapons as the Giants acquired this off-season, asking for a 5,000 yard season is a very big task. Let's say Jones can run for 500 yards this season (he ran for 423 in only 14 games last year – and there are 17 games this season), which means tat he needs to get to at least 4,500 passing yards to get to 5000. It comes to about 265 pass yards per game. Only five quarterbacks threw for more than 4,500 passing yards last season and no quarterback threw for more than 4,825 yards. Giants running backs likely will account for more than the 1,300 rushing yards they gained on the ground last year, too, which would make it more difficult for Jones to get past 5000 combined yards.

Robert in New York: Having two 1,000-yard running backs, is a rare feat for any team. This year, the Giants have a very talented RB room, and an offensive line, that is young, strong, and talented and ready too take the next step. Add a young play caller who should also be ready to take another big step of growth and might Saquon Barkley and Devontae Booker be able to turn the trick?

John Schmeelk: One can appreciate the optimism, but this may be a bridge too far. First, from a team perspective, having two 1,000-yard running backs would probably mean the team will run for at least 2,500 yards and only two NFL teams (Tennessee and Baltimore) hit that number last season.

It would be surprising for Booker to get enough carries to reach 1,000 yards if Saquon Barkley remains healthy for the majority of the season. It's more likely Barkley surpasses 1,500 rushing yards than Booker gets enough carries to eclipse 1,000.

Peter in New York: When are the Giants going to move Evan Engram from tight end to the slot?

John Schmeelk: Evan Engram has improved as a blocker, and while he isn't someone you run behind when he's 1-on-1 against a defensive end at the point of attack, he can fulfill his assignment. He is a good positional blocker and very good at walling off the backside of plays. There are virtually no tight ends in the league who can handle a defensive lineman by himself and the ones who can typically do not have high-level receiving skills.

Secondly, the idea that Engram would have a greater advantage against cornerbacks, whether inside or out, than he would against safeties and linebackers is unrealistic. His speed is what makes him special as a receiver and that ability is best exploited against linebackers and safeties.

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