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Fact or Fiction: Predicting Giants' team MVPs

Jul 24, 2021 at 07:34 AM

by John Schmeelk, Dan Salomone & Lance Medow

The Giants.com crew is presented with four statements and must decide whether they are Fact or Fiction.

QB Daniel Jones will be the Giants' offensive MVP this season.

John Schmeelk: Fact – If the Giants want to have a successful season on offense, Jones better be the MVP. There's an argument to be made that the offense can be very effective if Saquon Barkley is the offensive MVP, but quarterback is always a more valuable position than running back, so if Jones plays well he should be the most valuable player on the offense. Barkley's recovery could also limit his snaps and limit his impact, too. There are so many playmakers to share the ball, so it's doubtful a receiver would be the offensive MVP.

Dan Salomone: Fiction – "I won't fall asleep on [No.] 26," coach Joe Judge said after Saquon Barkley suffered a season-ending knee injury early in the 2020 campaign. "It's going to be a hell of a story." Daniel Jones plays the most valuable position, but Barkley will help free everything up for the quarterback and his new weapons.

Lance Medow: Fact – It needs to be for the Giants' offense to take the next step forward. New York brought in several new weapons to surround Jones with additional talent and now it's a matter of everything coming together. The Giants had just 12 total touchdown passes (Jones 11, Colt McCoy 1) in 2020. The stat has to at least double and the turnover rate has to match the second half of last season, when the overall team (specifically Jones) improved in that category.

DL Leonard Williams will be the Giants' defensive MVP.

John Schmeelk: Fact – The Giants do not have a proven pass rusher on the roster other than Leonard Williams. He is also a very effective player against the run. If the defense is going to take it to another level in 2021, the pass rush must improve, which probably means another great year from Williams, even if he doesn't reach double-digit sacks. There is a strong case to be made for Blake Martinez, who will likely lead the team in tackles. If a defensive back grabs a handful of interceptions, that player could also rightly claim the mantle of defensive MVP, especially since coverage is likely to be the strength of the defense.

Dan Salomone: Fact – Of all the numbers that went into the Giants signing Leonard Williams to a lucrative contract in March, one stuck out in particular - 26. Williams, coming off the best season of his career, was only 26 years old when the Giants brought him back (he turned 27 late last month). "I think I'm still in the middle of my prime," Williams said at the start of free agency, "and I think I have a lot of game left in this league, obviously."

Lance Medow: Fiction – The Giants will definitely need Leonard Williams to duplicate his 2020 production, but they'll still need others to step up in the pass rush department. When it comes to most valuable, you've got to lean toward Blake Martinez. If there's one player New York can't afford to lose, it's the sixth-year linebacker. Martinez led the Giants in tackles with 151 last season and also collected three sacks, five passes defensed, an interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He does a little bit of everything and is crucial in helping everyone get set on defense. And with Dalvin Tomlinson leaving in free agency, they'll need Martinez to step up and help maintain the team's strong run defense. Martinez is clearly the glue to that unit.

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