Improving the playmakers around quarterback Daniel Jones was an offseason priority for Joe Schoen.
The general manager traded for tight end Darren Waller and signed wide receivers Parris Campbell and Jamison Crowder in free agency. Darius Slayton and Isaiah Hodgins were also re-signed, while Wan'Dale Robinson, Sterling Shepard and Collin Johnson are all expected to return from season-ending injuries.
Jones and backup Tyrod Taylor recently joined the Giants Huddle podcast to discuss a variety of topics, including how the offense has improved since the start of spring practices.
"We made a lot of progress," Jones said about his chemistry with the team's new pass-catchers. "I feel like all the guys we've brought in are real pros from the sense of how they go about their work, how they study, how they work on the field, their attention to detail. You can tell watching film and just how important the smaller aspects of route-running, of the past concepts, you know, how in-tune they are with all that stuff. So it's been fun working with them, and they're really good players. I'm excited to continue working with them this summer and then into training camp."
"I would say everyone that we've added has done a great job of picking up our terminology," Taylor added. "Just the team chemistry as a whole, guys have come in and competed at a high level. They've done a good job each and every day of challenging themselves, but also challenging the room to be better. One thing that coach Dabs asks each man is just to compete. Be a high level competitor each and every day that you step in into the facility, whether it's lifting weights, whether it's in meetings, whether it's on the field. I think each person has took that to heart, and they've challenged themselves each and every day."
Must-see photos from minicamp as spring practices come to a close at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
Bill Parcells, Head Coach Brian Daboll
WR Darius Slayton (86)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
DB Bobby McCain (21)
TE Darren Waller (12)
S Xavier McKinney (29), DB Adoree' Jackson (22)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
DB Cor'dale Flott (28), DB Adoree' Jackson (22)
S Xavier McKinney (29), DB Adoree' Jackson (22)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
Bill Parcells, Carl Banks
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
DB Armini Oruwariye (20), DB Bobby McCain (21)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
Bill Parcells, Brian Daboll Head Coach, Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager
QB Tyrod Taylor (2), Bill Parcells
QB Tyrod Taylor (2), Bill Parcells
OL Corey Cunningham (70)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2), Bill Parcells
RB Eric Gray (20)
Bill Parcells
WR David Sills V (13)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR David Sills V (13)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2), Bill Parcells
Bill Parcells
TE Darren Waller (12)
TE Darren Waller (12)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Bill Parcells
WR Makai Polk (87)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2), Bill Parcells
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
TE Darren Waller (12)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
TE Darren Waller (12)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
WR Makai Polk (87)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
WR Makai Polk (87)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
DB Tre Hawkins III (37)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
DB Zyon Gilbert (38)
DB Zyon Gilbert (38)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
Bill Parcells, Head Coach Brian Daboll
Bill Parcells, Head Coach Brian Daboll
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
DB Cor'dale Flott (28)
Carl Banks, Head Coach Brian Daboll
Bill Parcells, Carl Banks
WR Jeff Smith II (19)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
DB Cor'dale Flott (28)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
WR Jeff Smith II (19)
WR Jeff Smith II (19)
WR Jeff Smith II (19)
DB Cor'dale Flott (28)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
DB Cor'dale Flott (28)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
DB Cor'dale Flott (28)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
DB Nick McCloud (44)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
DB Bobby McCain (21)
DB Bobby McCain (21)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2), QB Daniel Jones (8)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
LB Azeez Ojulari (51)
WR Parris Campbell (0), QB Daniel Jones (8)
LB Jihad Ward (55)
LB Micah McFadden (41)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
LB Cam Brown (47)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81), WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
DB Tre Hawkins III (37)
DB Cor'dale Flott (28)
LB Troy Brown (46)
TE Tommy Sweeney (89)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
LB Dyontae Johnson (54)
LB Cam Brown (47)
DB Armini Oruwariye (20)
LB Troy Brown (46)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
LB Dyontae Johnson (54)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
DB Gervarrius Owens (31)
OL John Michael Schmitz Jr (61)
TE Darren Waller (12)
TE Darren Waller (12)
TE Darren Waller (12)
TE Darren Waller (12)
OL John Michael Schmitz Jr (61)
DL Jordan Riley (95)
DL Jordan Riley (95)
DL Ryder Anderson (90)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97), DL Leonard Williams (99)
The biggest addition to the offense, both literally and figuratively, was Waller. The 6-foot-6, 245-pound tight end put together back-to-back seasons with over 1,100 yards with the Las Vegas Raiders from 2019-20, totaling 197 receptions for 2,341 yards and 12 touchdowns during that span. This led to him being named to the Pro Bowl in 2020.
Waller had the second-most receptions (65) and receiving yards (789) among tight ends split out wide since 2019, trailing only Kansas City's Travis Kelce.
While he joined the Giants just three months ago, Waller has already begun to develop a strong connection with Jones.
"Yeah it's been fun working with him," Jones said about his new tight end. "He's a true pro and he's a great teammate, great worker. You can tell he really cares about what we're doing here and wants to be a big part of it. So it's been fun working with him. He's extremely talented and, great guy, great person to work with."
A common theme heard throughout OTAs and minicamp was the offense's need for more explosive plays. Based on the additions made this offseason, improving in that area seems like a realistic goal.
Despite missing eight games in 2022, Waller's seven catches of 20+ yards downfield led all tight ends. Additionally, Campbell recorded the fastest speed of any ball carrier in the NFL last season when he hit 22.11 miles per hour on an end-around play that resulted in a 28-yard gain. Meanwhile, Darius Slayton ranks eighth in the NFL in yards per catch (15.0) since he was drafted in 2019 (minimum of 80 receptions), while third-round pick Jalin Hyatt averaged 18.9 yards per reception at Tennessee last season on his way to taking home the Biletnikoff Award.
"I think more often than not, the way you create explosive plays is just executing every play exactly how it's supposed to be done," Jones told the Giants Huddle podcast. "You love the bombs over the defense's head, but it's also the catch and runs where we set up a block or we throw an accurate ball that lets the guy continue, keep his speed, make a guy miss and then there's an explosive play there. There's so many things that can factor into that. We've got to make sure we're executing as precisely, as well as we can, as consistently as possible to give us a chance to make those plays."
Perhaps the biggest thing that should benefit the offense this season is continuity.
Jones and Taylor are entering Year 2 in the system created by coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka. In Year 1, Daboll took home the AP NFL Coach of the Year award while Kafka received head coach interest from several teams around the league.
Playing in the same offense for the second consecutive season should have a big impact on Jones, who played under three different offensive coordinators in his first three seasons prior to the 2022 campaign.
"I think a big piece of it is just seeing certain concepts multiple times against more looks and you're maybe a little quicker to recognize things in certain situations," Jones said about Year 2 in the offense. "I think you have a better understanding of what you like and what you don't like within the system, and certain plays and certain concepts that you may like more than you thought, or you don't like as much as you thought you did. So, I think all that kind of stuff and just the more reps the better. So, that's the biggest thing."
The 26-year-old's confidence in his ability to run the offense has not been lost on Taylor. The veteran backup noted how Jones' progress has been palpable inside the facility.
"Obviously more confident, not that he lacked confidence at all," the 33-year-old Taylor said. "I would just say whenever you're in a system for the returning year, obviously you're comfortable within what you have to do. Obviously, there's always ways to be better and things to get better at, and I think he's attacked each and every one of those areas of his game, full steam ahead this offseason and just try to be better in every aspect."
Ever since Daboll and Kafka took over the offense, numerous players have gone on record praising their system. The coaching staff determines what each player does best, and then puts them in a position to be able to use their strengths in order to maximize the offense.
It's no wonder plays enjoy playing in this offensive system.
"I would say it's very player friendly," Taylor said. "The coaches do a great job of leaning on what each player does best. Whether that's Waller, whether that's Paris, whether that's Slayton, whether that's Isaiah, whether that's DJ, myself, I mean, Coach does a great job of putting the players in the best position to go out and make plays and be comfortable within themselves. Obviously within the scheme, but playing at a high level within themselves and I think that speaks volume to the coaches, but it also speaks volume to just the respect level throughout the locker room that the guys have for one another, that when your number is called on, we expect guys to go out there and perform at a high level."
The Giants' offense ranked 15th in points and 18th in yards per game last season. Now with another year in the system, along with the return of the coaching staff and the new playmakers added, the sky is the limit for the offense.
"I think it can look very, very good," Taylor said. "I don't think there's a ceiling when we're clicking. We have talent at every skill position, a tremendous talent at every skill position. Obviously, we have to stay healthy. We have to go out there and execute it at a level that we know we're capable of doing. But just taking it one day at a time, striving to get better.
"Obviously, the end goal for everyone in this league right now this season is the Super Bowl. But there are steps to get there. With the strong offseason program, we're going to need guys to stay healthy in the six weeks that we're off and obviously get back to training camp and continue to keep progressing and just taking it one day at a time. Coming out and expecting our best out of ourselves and actually doing that as well, too, to get to where we need to be."
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View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2023 cycle.
OLB Oshane Ximines - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 21)
OL Jaylon Thomas - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 21)
RB Taiwan Jones - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 16)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 16)
RB Taiwan Jones - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 9)
K Graham Gano - Signed 3-year contract extension (September 8)
WR Cam Sims - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (September 4)
WR Cole Beasley - Practice Squad; Injured (September 4)
G Jack Anderson - Waived, Injury Settlement
DB Kaleb Hayes, WR Dennis Houston, T Jaylon Thomas - Practice Squad Signing (August 31)
RB Taiwan Jones - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (August 31)
TE Tyree Jackson, G Jalen Mayfield - Practice Squad Exception Signing (August 31)
DB Gemon Green, T Tyre Phillips - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (August 31)
CB Zyon Gilbert - Waived, Injury Settlement
DT Ryder Anderson, ILB Darrian Beavers, DB Alex Cook, QB Tommy DeVito, CB Gemon Green, ILB Dyontae Johnson, TE Ryan Jones - Practice Squad (August 30)
WR Cole Beasley, CB Amani Oruwariye, T Tyre Phillips, OLB Oshane Ximines - Practice Squad Veteran (August 30)
OLB Tomon Fox - Practice Squad Exception (August 30)
DE Boogie Basham - Acquired via Trade (via BUF) with 2025 7th Round Pick for 2025 6th Round Pick (August 30)
DT Ryder Anderson - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DE Habakkuk Baldonado - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Darrian Beavers - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DB Alex Cook - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
QB Tommy DeVito - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Tomon Fox - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DB Gemon Green - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Dyontae Johnson - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
TE Ryan Jones - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LS Cameron Lyons - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
T Tyre Phillips - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
WR Kalil Pimpleton - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DT Kobe Smith - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Ray Wilborn - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
WR Cole Beasley - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
WR Jamison Crowder - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
C Sean Harlow - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
DB Amani Oruwariye - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
WR David Sills V - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
LB Oshane Ximines - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
TE Tommy Sweeney - Reserve/Non-Football Illness (August 29)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson - Passed Physical (August 29)
CB Aaron Robinson - Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (August 29)
TE Chris Myarick - Reserve/Injured (August 28)
DB Zyon Gilbert - Waived, Injured (August 28)
G Jack Anderson - Waived, Injured (August 28)
G Wyatt Davis - Waived, Injured (August 28)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton - Reserve/Injured (August 27)
WR Jaydon Mickens - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
OT Korey Cunningham - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
OT Julién Davenport - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
DT Brandin Bryant - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
DE Tashawn Bower - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
DT Kevin Atkins - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
WR Collin Johnson - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
DB Darren Evans - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
NT Donovan Jeter - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
RB James Robinson - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons - Acquired via Trade (via ARZ) for 2024 7th Round Pick (August 25)
OT Devery Hamilton - Waived, Injury Settlement (August 24)
LB Troy Brown - Waived, Injury Settlement
CB Rodarius Williams - Waived, No Recall (August 19)
OT Julién Davenport - Free Agent Signing (August 16)
LB Troy Brown - Waived, Injured (August 16)
LB Ray Wilborn - Claimed off Waivers from DEN (August 15)
OT Devery Hamilton - Waived/Injured (August 15)
DL D.J. Davidson - Passed Physical (August 14)
WR Jeff Smith - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Injury Settlement (August 11)
DT A'Shawn Robinson - Passed Physical (August 7)
OL Marcus McKethan - Passed Physical (August 7)
NT Donovan Jeter - Free Agent Signing (August 4)
WR Jeff Smith - Waived/Injured (August 4)
C Sean Harlow - Free Agent Signing (August 1)
OL J.C. Hassenauer - Reserve/Injured (August 1)
WR Sterling Shepard - Passed Physical (July 30)
WR Jamison Crowder - Passed Physical (July 30)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Injured (July 29)
LB Elerson Smith - Waived, Injury Settlement (July 29)
DT Kevin Atkins - Free Agent Signing (July 27)
T Andrew Thomas - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (July 26)
DT D.J. Davidson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
G Marcus McKethan - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
CB Aaron Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
DT A'Shawn Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
WR Sterling Shepard - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
WR Jamison Crowder - Declared Non-Football Injury (July 25)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Did Not Report (July 25)
RB Saquon Barkley - Franchise Player Signing (July 25)
OLB Tashawn Bower - Free Agent Signing (July 25)
OLB Elerson Smith - Waived, Injured (July 25)
DB Trenton Thompson - Waived, No Recall (July 25)
DT Brandin Bryant - Free Agent Signing (July 24)
WR Makai Polk - Waived, No Recall (July 24)
WR Dre Miller - Waived, No Recall (July 24)
RB James Robinson - Free Agent Signing (July 21)
WR Cole Beasley - Free Agent Signing (July 21)
DB Darren Evans - Free Agent Signing (July 18)
LB Jarrad Davis - Reserve/Injured (July 18)
DB Leonard Johnson - Waived/Injured (July 18)
DL Kobe Smith - Free Agent Signing (June 15)
DL Dexter Lawrence - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (May 5)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LB Troy Brown - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
DB Alex Cook - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
QB Tommy DeVito - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
DB Gemon Green - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LB Dyontae Johnson - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
TE Ryan Jones - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LS Cameron Lyons - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
CB Deonte Banks - Selected in Round 1 (Pick No. 24) of 2023 NFL Draft
CB Deonte Banks - Selection List Signing (May 18)
OL John Michael Schmitz - Selected in Round 2 (Pick No. 57) of 2023 NFL Draft
C John Michael Schmitz - Selection List Signing (May 23)
WR Jalin Hyatt - Selected in Round 3 (Pick No. 73) of 2023 NFL Draft
WR Jalin Hyatt - Selection List Signing (May 15)
RB Eric Gray - Selection List Signing (May 5)
CB Tre Hawkins III - Selected in Round 6 (Pick No. 209) of 2023 NFL Draft
CB Tre Hawkins III - Selection List Signing (May 5)
DL Jordon Riley - Selected in Round 7 (Pick No. 243) of 2023 NFL Draft
RB Eric Gray - Selected in Round 5 (Pick No. 172) of 2023 NFL Draft
DL Jordan Riley - Selection List Signing (May 6)
DB Gervarrius Owens - Selected in Round 7 (Pick No. 254) of 2023 NFL Draft
DB Gervarrius Owens - Selection List Signing (May 5)
DT A'Shawn Robinson - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 24)
C J.C. Hassenauer - Free Agent Signing (April 7)
OLB Jihad Ward - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 29)
TE Tommy Sweeney - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
CB Amani Oruwariye - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
WR Jamison Crowder - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
S Bobby McCain - Free Agent Signing (March 23)
WR Darius Slayton - Free Agent Signing (March 20)
DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
WR Parris Campbell - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
WR Jeff Smith - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
LB Bobby Okereke - Free Agent Signing (March 16)
WR Sterling Shepard - Free Agent Signing (March 15)
TE Darren Waller - Acquired via trade with Las Vegas Raiders (March 15)
RB Matt Breida - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 14)
P Jamie Gillan - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
LS Casey Kreiter - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
G Wyatt Davis - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
QB Daniel Jones - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 7)
RB Saquon Barkley - Designated Franchise Player (March 7)
LB Jarrad Davis - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 7)
WR Isaiah Hodgins - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 16)
G Jack Anderson - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 14)
TE Lawrence Cager - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 13)
WR David Sills V - Reserve/Future Signing (January 26)
DB Terrell Burgess - Reserve/Future Signing (January 26)
TE Chris Myarick - Reserve/Future Signing (January 23)
T Devery Hamilton - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Dre Miller - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Zyon Gilbert - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Makai Polk - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
T Korey Cunningham - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Jaydon Mickens - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Kalil Pimpleton - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Reserve/Future Signing (January