It’s time to stop sleeping on Daniel Jones and the New York Giants offense. An aerial attack led by PFF’s 12th highest-graded quarterback (80.4) through the first 12 weeks of last season has nowhere to go but up after tying with the New England Patriots for a league-worst 12 touchdown passes.
Among 25 offenses that have passed for 15 or fewer touchdowns since 2011, 22 (88%) saw their passing touchdowns increase by an average of 83% (10 passing touchdowns) the following season.
This offense is going to see a major uptick in production with a revamped supporting cast featuring Kenny Golladay, Saquon Barkley, Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram, Darius Slayton and Kadarius Toney.
With a full array of playmakers at Jones’ disposal, it’s easy to envision him taking a major leap forward in Year 3.
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There's a strong argument to be made that the lack of talent around Jones has been the reason he’s yet to break out. He’s played only two full games with Barkley, Engram and Shepard since entering the NFL. Jones averaged 26 fantasy points per game in both contests.
In 10 games played with just Barkley, Jones has averaged 23 fantasy points per game. That falls to 14 points per game without his RB1. In five games with Shepard before suffering an injury in 2020, the Giants quarterback averaged 19.3 fantasy points per game. That rate fell to 11.2 fantasy points per game without Shepard.
And let’s not overlook the addition of Golladay, who just so happens to lead all wide receivers in fantasy points per touch (2.98) since 2019.
It’s all about chasing upside when selecting quarterbacks in the later rounds — and no quarterback in this range has a higher fantasy ceiling than Jones. He’s already shown us the elite potential, having scored 26-plus points four times in 2019. His rushing ability offers a higher floor compared to what the poor 2020 numbers show. Before his hamstring injury in Week 12, Jones ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards (403) and seventh in rushing attempts (4.5 per game).
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