Bottom Line

As a late-round pick or waiver-wire addition, Jones delivered in spades last season.

Due in part to a poor supporting cast, the 26-year-old heavily leaned on his legs. 32% of his fantasy production came on the ground. He easily set career highs in carries, yards, and TDs.

Jones’ rushing stats will likely decline this fall. But an upgraded supporting cast – and projected improvement via the air – should supply a net positive. He’s a fringe QB1 for Year 2 under HC Brian Daboll.

What We Learned Last Year

• Despite a lousy supporting cast, Jones finished as the QB12.
  • He recorded three top-5 fantasy performances; six at QB20 or worse.
• Jones averaged only 29.5 attempts, 200.3 yards, and 0.93 passing TDs per game. New York sat bottom-10 in pass rate over expectation (-5.6%).
  • It’s easy to understand why. His leading WRs: Darius Slayton, Richie James, and Isaiah Hodgins (a mid-season waiver claim).
• So rushing production proved essential, and he delivered with top-5 QB marks in rushes (120), yards (708), and TDs (7).
  • Jones really factored in near the goal line. He saw 14 carries inside the 10-yard line. Only three QBs beat that number.
• Jones set a clear career-high in adjusted completion rate (81.1%). Credit Jones’ maturation and new HC Brian Daboll.
• The Giants’ O-line wasn’t much help, though. They ranked 24th in Pro Football Focus’ pass block grade; 29th in pass block win rate.

What to Expect in 2023

• HC Brian Daboll, OC Mike Kafka, and QBs coach Shea Tierney return for Year 2.
• Instead of applying the franchise tag, GM Joe Schoen inked Jones to a four-year deal worth $160 million ($82 million guaranteed).
  • Is it an overpay? Perhaps. But it’s also a clear signal the Giants believe in him going forward.
• Veteran C Jon Feliciano left in free agency, while the Giants used a Round 2 pick on Minnesota C John Michael Schmitz.
  • On Schmitz, NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein said: “Schmitz lacks length and his edges will get a little leaky in pass protection from time to time, but his overall technique and teamwork in the run game should create a plug-and-play opportunity in the pros.”
  • LT Andrew Thomas and RT Evan Neal – a pair of former first-round picks – return as cornerstones. The interior bears watching, though.
• This offseason, New York took the quantity-over-quality approach at pass catcher.
  • The arrivals: Parris Campbell, Jamison Crowder, and rookie deep threat Jalin Hyatt. They join a group that already includes secondary pieces like Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard, and Wan’Dale Robinson.
  • Darren Waller provides a true impact player. The former Raider can be a top-5 TE when healthy, although that’s been an issue in recent years. He’s played nine and 11 games over the past two seasons.