They shocked everyone when they beat the New England Patriots to Super Bowl 42 and 46, the latter being the last time they had won a playoff game until their win over the Minnesota Vikings last weekend.

Facing the number one seed is never easy, but the Giants will go into this game confident they can cause an upset.

Can they do it again?

Taking Their Chances

If the Giants are to advance, they have to capitalize and make the most of any opponent flaws.

Philadelphia’s quarterback Jalen Hurts and offensive lineman Lane Johnson have been injury doubts and will likely go into this game not 100% healthy.

This is where the Giants can capitalize, between the trenches. With a defensive line featuring studs such as Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams, Jaylon Smith, and Kayvon Thibodeaux, they can get to the Eagles.

This is not going to be a pretty win, and the Giants are likely going to have to grind out a hard-fought win, but if they can win this battle between the trenches, then they have every chance. If they do this, they will need their offense to also perform lights out.

Is Daniel Jones Eli 2.0?

This was one of the feel-good stories of Wildcard Weekend.

Jones became the first quarterback in playoff history to throw for 300+ passing yards and have over 75 rushing yards during their 31-24 win over Minnesota.

Some players have a clutch gene in them when it comes to playoff football, and there was not a more recent example than Nick Foles as he guided the Eagles to their one and only Super Bowl.

Eli Manning was another player, and like Jones, he was never elite in the regular season. However, in the postseason, he turned into a different animal.

Who can forget his pass to David Tyree in Super Bowl 42 and catch to Mario Manningham in Super Bowl 46. These are not exactly elite receivers who helped these plays happen.

Manningham never had a season with 1,000 yards receiving and only once did he catch more than five touchdowns in a regular season. He only had 51 receptions and one touchdown in the two seasons that followed Super Bowl 46 before retiring.

Tyree never had more than 211 yards in any regular season and had four touchdowns all throughout his career. He had just four receptions from eight targets and one touchdown in their Super Bowl winning postseason run in the 2007 season. He never had a career reception after getting his ring.

There is a sense of familiarity with the current players Jones has around him. Barkley is the one exception, an elite running back, a contender for Comeback Player of the Year and someone with three 1,000-yard seasons in his five years in the league.

Wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins and rookie tight end Daniel Bellinger both scored in Sunday’s win. Bellinger only had 268 yards in 12 games this season and Hodgins has just 392 career yards in three seasons. Darius Slayton also came up big despite never having a season with more than 800 yards. His 88 yards went a long way to helping the Giants beat the Vikings..

In Barkley, Bellinger, and Hodgins, these are three weapons that will be a big help to Jones if they are to beat the Eagles.

If They Were To Win…

A road game against either the San Francisco 49ers or Dallas Cowboys would follow should Brian Daboll’s men advance. Whilst they would once again be underdogs, they will fill confident after beating Philadelphia.

As great as Brock Purdy has been, the rookie QB has yet to be tested at the highest level, with a favorable regular season schedule and a game against the seventh seed Seattle Seahawks. Purdy looked nervous at times in the Wildcard Round.

Earlier, there was discussion about quarterbacks such as Nick Foles and Eli Manning who turn it on in the postseason. Other quarterbacks such as Kyler Murray (2021 season) and Jared Goff (Super Bowl 53) proved to be the other way around. If Purdy struggles, whilst there is an argument that their defense could bail them out. With an offense that scored 31 points on Sunday, there is no guarantee that this 49ers defense will automatically be the same as they have been all season.

If they are to face the Cowboys, this is a Cowboys team that has perennially struggled since their 1995 success. They have choked in recent seasons when it matters, and despite his brilliant performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football, Dak Prescott has yet to deliver when it really counts.

It is a longshot that the Giants win one game, let along two or three more, but there have been crazier playoff moments. This is why NFL fans love the playoffs. Anything can happen.

The post Could The Giants Shock The World? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

This week we have the pleasure of watching the New York football Giants against the Washington Commanders. The NFL decided to flex this game because of the playoff implications and the importance of this game. Two weeks ago these teams played to an anti-climatic tie. This week both teams will try and bring their A game, and with a win puts themselves in the driver seat for a wild card spot. As I analyze this game, I believe one of these teams has a slight edge over the other. The Commanders are coming off a bye and are well rested. The Giants on the other hand, are licking their wounds from an ugly loss against the fierce Philadelphia Eagles. Granted Saquon wasn’t 100%, but there are more issues with the Giants and why they lost that game. This game will be a home game for Washington, and the biggest reason they have an edge is their defense. You can go back to when the tides turned for them and it’s when the defense turned things around. William Jackson III was jettisoned off the team, Kam Curl started playing well, in addition to Bobby McCain. This team changed their mentality and focus and it shows, as in their last 8 games they are 6-1-1. Their loss was a close one and in that game they were up 17-7 against a good Vikings team.

The Commanders are playing well led by their underdog quarterback Taylor Heinicke. Taylor has done just enough for this team to make them dangerous. He makes the big play when it’s needed and his elusiveness in the pocket make it hard on the defense. Sunday’s game will be one of Taylor’s biggest ones. The lights will be on and he has a chance for his team to be in cruise control into the playoffs. What will happen? That remains to be seen, and I believe this game is Washington’s to lose. If they take care of the ball, run for 100 yards or more and play good defense, they will come out with a victory.

Prediction: Washington 24 Giants 14

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By: Nathan Nguyen

When Richie James signed with the New York Giants as a free agent, no one expected him to be more than anything but a solid backup receiver. If anything, he would serve as a kick returner because of his experience with previous teams serving that role.

Fast forward to today, and James looks like more than just a guy. In fact, he may be the only one keeping this receiving corps afloat. With Sterling Shepard out for the year, Daniel Jones may need to rely on James more than ever this season.

James was drafted in the seventh round by the San Francisco 49ers in 2018. Appearing in 13 games, he caught nine passes for 130 yards. He also caught his first career touchdown against the Rams in week 17. The wide receiver also returned a kickoff for a touchdown in his rookie season.

He set career highs in receiving yards and receptions in 2020. But, he would miss the entire 2021 season after being placed on the injured reserve list. This was due to a knee injury.

The 49ers decided to not bring him back for 2022 and let him walk into free agency. On March 25th, 2022, the New York Giants decided to take a chance on the former Middle Tennessee State receiver.

Through three games, James has shown that the 49ers may have made a mistake not bringing him back. He’s been clearly the best receiver on the Giants, leading the team in receptions and a close second in receiving yards.

Put this into perspective: Deebo Samuel leads San Francisco in receiving with 12 catches and 131 yards. James has 14 catches for 146 yards. He would have been the best receiver on the 49ers. Jimmy Garoppolo could have used him after leading his team to just ten points last Sunday night.

Thankfully, James has been as close to a star as possible for Big Blue. With the Giants having the most expensive receiving core in the NFL, they have underwhelmed in the worst way possible.

Shepard is out for the year, Kenny Golladay can’t catch, David Sills has lost his magic, and Darius Slayton has been in a reduced role. Oh, and both Kadarius Toney and Wan’Dale Robinson are hurt. Daniel Jones cannot perform to the best of his abilities if his weapons can’t stay on the field or perform well enough to be reliable.

This is where James steps in. Take the Dallas game, for example.

This man is getting open for his quarterback, something the other guys have struggled to do.

This man is getting open for his quarterback, something the other guys have struggled to do. James has at least four catches through three games, and he may be targeted even more in the coming weeks. He’s not a superstar, but he is sure looking like one.

Joe Schoen: you got a bargain with this guy. Let’s hope Richie James continues to show out against Chicago.

The post Why Richie James is a sleeper appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Nathan Nguyen

When defensive coordinator Wink Martindale arrived in East Rutherford, a breath of fresh air blew around Metlife Stadium. His history of creating blitz-heavy schemes (similar to the former DC in the Big Apple, Gregg Williams) made it clear that the New York Giants defense would be different from years past.

So far, so good. After limiting Derrick Henry to just 82 rushing yards on 21 carries, New York held the Carolina Panthers to just 16 points in week two for the win. Even with a pedestrian day from the offense, the defense stood firm against Baker Mayfield (who was roasted by many Giants fans because of his comments on Daniel Jones in the past).

But, let’s think about this for a second. New York has yet to see Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari on the field in the regular season. But, Jihad Ward and Oshane Ximines have stepped in beautifully and gotten to the quarterback.

There were question marks at the cornerback position heading into the year, especially with Adoree Jackson being the only capable player safe as CB1. But, Darnay Holmes and Aaron Robinson have been serviceable. Xavier McKinney is holding his own back at the safety position, and Julian Love had a sack against Carolina that was key to the Giants’ win.

Overall, the Giants’ defense is very underrated. They don’t have the big-name players other teams have or perhaps top-end profiles that were present on the Giants Championship defense. But, the scheme has put these players in a good situation.

Fantasy-wise, they are the 16th best defense in the league, averaging 5.5 fantasy points through two games. They have yet to allow their opponents to score more than 20 points in a game, and that could continue as they head into a Monday night matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

It’s early, I get it. But, this is a good start for a team with new schemes on both the offense and defense. But, to be 2-0 after many expected them to be a rebuilding team this year is a big morale boost.

The post Look Out For This Giants Defense in Week 3 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Charlie Vakassian

With the NFL Offseason underway, the New York Giants have several holes to fill on the roster. One of those holes is at the tight end position. With Evan Engram set to become a free agent, and Kyle Rudolph already cut, the Giants need to find a starting-caliber tight end. Some of the options have already been taken off the market, as David Njoku (Browns) and Dalton Schultz (Cowboys) have been tagged by their respective teams. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t some cost-effective options available.

Ricky Seals-Jones

Seals-Jones is one of the more underrated free-agent tight ends that the Giants could pursue. He filled in admirably for the Commanders when Logan Thomas went down, catching 30 balls for 271 yards and 2 touchdowns. He is a more than capable blocker and can help open holes for Saquon Barkley in the run game. His contract will likely be close to the veteran minimum, and very affordable for Giants management.

Evan Engram

This may not be the likeliest of outcomes, but it cannot be ruled out. Engram has already stated this offseason that he wants to return to the Giants. The price tag is going to be the biggest obstacle. With his fellow 2017 draftee David Njoku receiving the franchise tag worth over $10M, Engram will want similar money. Perhaps he would be willing to take a discount to return, but I would not count on it. He may have worn out his welcome in New York. On the other hand, maybe Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka can unlock what Engram has been teasing in his 5 seasons with the Giants.

Mo Alie-Cox

Alie-Cox is not a player that will stand out when you watch him on the field, but he brings a little bit of everything. He is a quality blocker, displays some surprising athleticism, and is a red-zone threat, with 6 touchdown grabs in his last two seasons. He has close ties with new Giants wide receivers coach Mike Groh from their time together in Indianapolis and could be persuaded to come to the Giants on a low-cost deal.

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By: Charlie Vakassian

Welcome to the first edition of our New York Giants Mock Draft! We will be using the draft simulator from The Draft Network, without trades, and seeing what picks the Giants could make pending how the board plays out.

Round 1, Pick 5-Ikem Ekwonu, OT/OG, NC State

The top three defensive players on my board were gone when I made this pick, as Kayvon Thibodeaux, Aidan Hutchinson, and Kyle Hamilton were taken with the first three picks. The Jets selected Evan Neal at pick four, leaving Ekwonu available at five, who is my highest graded offensive lineman anyway. Ekwonu is one of the nastiest players in college football, who mauls opponents in the run game. PFF has his numbers off the charts, with a run blocking grade of 93.8 and a pass blocking grade of 78.3. He only allowed 3 sacks the entire season. Ekwonu also has the ability to play the guard positions as well, but the Giants would be best served to put him at right tackle, where he can bookend with Andrew Thomas and give Daniel Jones stability on the edges. Saquon Barkley will approve of this pick as well, with Ekwonu well equipped to create running lanes for the former number two overall pick.

Round 1, Pick 7- Derek Stingley Jr, CB, LSU

The Panthers chose to select a QB with their selection at pick six, leaving the board mostly unchanged. While there are some intriguing edge rushers on the board, I decided to take the best cornerback in the draft and make the Giants secondary even better. New Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale likes to run schemes with blitzes and create pressure through good coverage from the secondary. Stingley was one of the better man coverage corners in college football and will do his best work on the outside, shutting down the top receiver on the opposing team. With James Bradberry potentially a cut candidate, Stingley can step in, work with Adoree Jackson and make the Giants defense much stronger. Stingley has the speed to keep up with speed burners, and insane ball skills to make incredible pass breakups and interceptions. He also has the chops in the run game, as shown in the above clip. The closing speed and pristine tackling ability make him an elite all around corner, and a rare talent that cannot be passed up.

Round 2, Pick 36-Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State

Here, Brisker was the best player available, and I choose to make the Giant secondary an elite unit. Brisker would be considered the best safety in the draft if it wasn’t for Kyle Hamilton. He has elite recognition and ball skills and seems to have a knack for making big plays at big moments. Too often in 2021 the Giants had opportunities to put away games and couldn’t make the key plays at key times. Brisker is someone who can change that and bring in a hard-hitting style of play. Brisker can be used in just about every type of coverage you can imagine, man or zone, and has shown the ability to play the run while lined up in the box. Wink Martindale gains another chess piece for his defense, and the Giants defense is now well on it’s way towards becoming a top 10 unit in the NFL.

Round 3, Pick 67-Darian Kinnard, OG, Kentucky

This pick is an absolute steal, as I expect Kinnard to be taken in the second round when the draft rolls around in April. Kinnard played right tackle for Kentucky for most of his college career, but projects to be a good starting guard in the NFL. Kinnard has shown that he excels in tighter quarters as a run blocker, and moving him to guard will only allow him to become even better as a road grader. He is extremely strong at the point of attack and makes it extremely difficult for rushers to use power moves on him. He has enough lateral quickness to help on double teams and is quick enough to make recoveries on an initial loss at the line of scrimmage. Plug him in at left guard, and let him create massive holes in the run game for Saquon Barkley.

Round 3, Pick 81-Nik Bonitto, EDGE, Oklahoma

You all have probably been wondering, where the heck is the edge rusher pick we all know the Giants desperately need? Well, here it is. Nik Bonitto was a productive player off the edge for the Sooners and makes for an excellent complement to Azeez Ojulari. Bonitto wins his matchups with speed and sheer motor, as he is relentless in his pursuit of the quarterback. Wink Martindale likes to run a 3-4 concept, which allows for Bonitto to rush the passer as a stand-up OLB, similar to how the Giants used Ojulari and Lorenzo Carter this year. Bonitto is also sharp against the run, demonstrating the ability to set the edge and force running backs into the defensive line.

Round 4, Pick 110-Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming

This draft is particularly strong with linebackers, so I decided to wait a little while, and I took someone who can come in and compete right away for a starting job alongside Blake Martinez. Muma is a former safety who made the transition to linebacker and has excellent speed and agility, which gives him really good angles when pursuing the ballcarrier. His best work comes in pass coverage, something the Giants have been sorely lacking since Antonio Pierce captained the defense more than 10 years ago. The only question is whether or not Muma would be here on draft night. Most people feel as though he will be gone in the second or third round, so if the Giants love him, an earlier draft pick will likely need to be used to get him.

Round 5, Pick 146-Tyrese Robinson, IOL, Oklahoma

You can never have enough offensive linemen. Joe Schoen has a history of getting big men in the later rounds, drafting guys like Wyatt Teller, Cody Ford, and Spencer Brown. New Assistant GM Brandon Brown found a 7th round gem for the Eagles in Jordan Mailata, who overtook first round pick Andre Dillard for the starting tackle job. So finding the right pieces in the later rounds will be key. A player like Tyrese Robinson will be intriguing for the GMen, as they try to finally solve the offensive line. Robinson played both guard positions at Oklahoma, and has an incredibly strong lower body, allowing him to be an anchor in the passing game. His mental side of the game is there as well, as he knows his assignments, and when to pick up or pass of stunts. Will Hernandez struggled with this aspect of his game ever since the Giants drafted him, and now Robinson can take his place and be an interior force.

Round 5, Pick 171-Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia

Tight end will likely be a need for the Giants, with Evan Engram heading for free agency, and Kyle Rudolph looking like a cap casualty. Jelani Woods is someone who can come in and be a productive player on Day 1. A converted tight end in the mold of Logan Thomas, Woods has a massive frame of 6 feet and 7 inches, along with an insane catch radius. This gives quarterbacks the ability to throw it up in one-on-one situations and have extreme confidence Woods will come up with the catch. Woods initially spent most of his college career as a blocker, so he is strong in helping set the tone in the run game. His growth as a receiver is what has caught the attention of scouts across the NFL. Engram struggled as a blocker in his Giants tenure, so having a good tight end who can block and make plays as a receiver is huge. Woods can be that guy.

Round 6, Pick 180-Cade Mays, IOL, Tennessee

I think Mays has the chance to be this year’s Trey Smith. Smith is a strong power-blocking guard from Tennessee, who slips in the draft, but rewards the team who drafts him with strong play. Mays is a player whose strong suit is in the run game, as he excels in gap blocking schemes. His work as a pass protector is still in progress, but he is able to hold his own against bull rushers up the middle. His technique can be a bit iffy, and he isn’t the most agile guard. His best work will come in the interior in close quarters. If a team tried to move him to tackle, the results just wouldn’t be the same, as Mays’ strengths all come from interior play as a guard. The Giants would be well served to grab Mays here, and finally, have depth on their offensive line.

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By: Charlie Vakassian

Special teams was one of the few strengths of the Giants in 2021, as they were a top 15 unit in the NFL. That was mostly anchored by kicker Graham Gano, as he made 29 of his 33 field goal attempts and nailed all his extra points. He was essentially the Giants offense, as the starting unit failed to crack end zone time after time. Punter Riley Dixon was wildly inconsistent to lackluster, as he repeatedly booted punts into the end zone or left kicks way short, giving opposing teams good field position. His salary of $3.1M makes him an easy-cut candidate, as the Giants should find a better and cheaper alternative elsewhere. Finding a return specialist would be ideal, although someone in the house could do the job, like Kadarius Toney.

Free Agency Options

Free agency has a couple options out there. Corey Bojorquez is a solid choice, and has a cannon leg, as he averaged over 50 yards a punt in 2020, and was more than serviceable in 2021. Other names to watch include Bryan Anger, Jordan Berry, and Pat O’Donnell. The Giants did just bring in Jamie Gillan on a futures contract, so maybe he gets a shot to punt. As for return specialists, Jakeem Grant is hitting the market, although the Bears seem set on retaining him. Ray-Ray McCloud led the NFL in punt return yards this past year, and could be a solid get. The position is not high on the list of needs, but someone will be brought in.

Draft Options

I consider this to be a very unlikely route, given the Giants long list of needs at other positions. That being said, anything is possible. Matt Araiza out of San Diego State is a special punter, and could be one of the rare special teamers to hear his name called during the draft. He has booted punts of 77, 80, and 88 yards before, and holds multiple NCAA punting records. Again, this has a very small chance of happening, but a late draft pick could be spent to solidify the punting position for years to come. As for helping the return game, wide receivers John Metchie III and Jahan Dotson possess blazing speed and agility, and have return experience in college.

Concluding Thoughts

As I repeatedly stated, these are not major needs for the Giants. Dixon needs to be cut to save cap space, so there will more than likely be a new punter. We will also likely see a different face returning punts and kicks. Graham Gano is under contract and is a productive kicker, so his roster spot is safe and secure. This concludes the New York Giants Position Outlooks! I appreciate you all taking the time to read these, and go Giants! Be on the lookout for my New York Giants Mock Draft 1.0!

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The Giants wide receivers were nothing short of underwhelming this year. The top 4 options on the depth chart all missed games with various ailments, and even when on the field were often invisible. Pricey free agent signing Kenny Golladay was often ignored and barely cracked 500 receiving yards. Sterling Shepard could not stay on the field and eventually tore his Achilles, knocking him out for the season. Darius Slayton suffered from the drops and missed five games with various ailments. Rookie Kadarius Toney certainly flashed a tantalizing skillset but missed seven games with several different injuries. Shepard is likely to be a cut, with a high salary and bad injury history. Slayton certainly took a big step, making this a position of more need than it appears.

Options in the Draft

This is a solid draft for wide receivers, with plenty of talent stretching through the middle rounds. Some names to watch include David Bell, John Metchie, Jahan Dotson, and Jalen Tolbert. Metchie is a true speedster, with the ability to stretch the field and keep defenses honest, a similar profile to Jaylen Waddle. Bell and Tolbert are excellent route runners, and can use double moves to fake out defenders. Dotson can do a little bit of everything, and has really good hands, something the Giants could use, as their receiving corps has been dealing with drops for a couple years now

Free Agent Options/Trade Market

This is an avenue I can almost guarantee the Giants will not take unless it is a flyer. They have no cap space to spend big money on another wide receiver after forking over $18M a year for Golladay. A shame, as this year’s free-agent class, is deep, with names like Mike Williams, Chris Godwin, Davante Adams, and Allen Robinson. The same goes for the trade market. The Giants need every single one of their many drafts picks to plug holes in more important spots on the team.

Concluding Thoughts

Outside of a mid to late draft pick, do not expect the Giants to invest any resources in the wide receiver position. The offseason goal will be to make sure Golladay, Toney, and Slayton return healthy and in shape for next season. The hope is that a new head coach and offensive coordinator will push the offense in the right direction.

This is a position that is going to be very interesting to watch heading into the offseason. Evan Engram, former first-round draft pick in 2017, is going to be a free agent. Kyle Rudolph is likely going to be cut, as he has a high salary with minimal usage. The Giants will have to decide if they want to bring Engram back, or look elsewhere for a solution.

New York Giants tight end outlook

Options in the Draft

There will be a few options in the draft if the Giants choose to invest a draft pick at the tight end position. The best of the bunch is Jalen Wydermyer out of Texas A&M. Wydermyer has been a consistent producer for three straight seasons despite having a different quarterback each year. A huge physical player, Wydermyer stands at 6’5″, and weighs in at 265 pounds. As you can see from the clip above, he possesses an amazing catch radius, and his size makes him a premier red-zone threat. This would make him a reliable target for Daniel Jones, or whichever QB is at the helm for New York. Other options that could be drafted include Isaiah Likely, Trey McBride, and Cade Otton.

Trade/Free Agency Options

This is an avenue unlikely to be explored, simply because the Giants have no cap space to work with. However, if they find ways to free up some room, David Njoku is a player to keep an eye on. Drafted in the same class as Evan Engram, he possesses a blend of speed and power that is tough to beat. His opportunities were limited in a run-first offense in Cleveland, but a new team could give him a better opportunity. Other free-agent tight ends include Zach Ertz, Gerald Everett, and Dalton Schultz.

Concluding Thoughts

If I had to guess, I would think the Giants will attempt to bring back Engram on a cheap one or two-year deal. If that is unsuccessful, they will shop in the bargain bin, and draft a tight end in the middle rounds of the draft. Daniel Jones will need a reliable 3rd down/red-zone target with good hands, and there are some quality choices if the Giants know where to look.

The post New York Giants Wide Receiver and Tight End Outlook appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Andy Davies

Plenty of uncertainty surrounds the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, and Houston Texans going into the 2021 season. Their quarterback situations are far from clear and their overall rosters are mediocre at best.

The same goes for their head coaches, with all three going into their first seasons at the franchise. Neither of Dan Campbell, Nick Sirianni, or David Culley has been a full-time head coach in the NFL. Campbell is the only one to have some experience, with his spell as interim head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2015.

Here is why you should be expecting the Lions, Eagles, and Texans to have the three worst records in the league in 2021.

Saying Goodbye To A Franchise Legend In Detroit. Struggles For The Replacement

Matthew Stafford was the number one overall pick in 2009, with the entire city of Detroit hoping he would be the man to turn around the fortunes of the franchise. Despite three seasons of making the playoffs, the Lions and Stafford never won a single postseason game as the wait continues. The Lions remain the team with the second-longest period without a playoff win, their last taking place on January 5th, 1992.

Stafford had some great individual moments as a Lion, most notably his Mic’d up moment during his 2009 rookie season. In a week eleven game against the Cleveland Browns, he overcame injury to produce a moment of pure heroism. He played with a separated shoulder despite the efforts of the medical staff to keep him off the field, leading the Lions to a touchdown-winning drive.

Jim Caldwell guided the Lions to these playoff appearances but was not seen as good enough to take them to the next step. New England Patriots assistant head coach Matt Patricia was brought in but never took to life as head coach. The Lions had three consecutive losing seasons under the coaching of Patricia. They will hope that they have found their guy in Dan Campbell. His press conference was certainly not dull, with Campbell referring to “biting kneecaps”. As a former Lions player, he knows what it takes to play in the league. He also knows about the city of Detroit and his intentions are both positive and clear. If he is given time, he has the desire to bring the good times back to Detroit. However, he is inexperienced as a head coach and the roster is below average.

New quarterback Jared Goff has the potential to struggle. This is despite the drafting of offensive lineman Penei Sewell at seventh overall, a selection that had Campbell and new General Manager Brad Holmes very excited.

Despite his brilliant 2018 season that saw the Rams reach Super Bowl 53, Goff had a poor game and struggled in 2020 as he and head coach Sean McVay’s relationship deteriorated.

Goff struggled despite a plethora of offensive talent around him. Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp form one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL. He is going to a franchise that let go of their two best wide receivers and failed to replace them.

The Lions have a schedule that features the San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, and Cleveland Browns. There are also two games against their division rivals, the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and Chicago Bears. The Lions do not have it easy.

Prediction: 3-14

Trouble In Philadelphia; Reason For Hope?

The Eagles have seen three years of gradual decline after winning Super Bowl 52. The 2017 season saw the Eagles lift the Lombardi Trophy for the first time after two previous attempts.

Doug Pederson was the head coach to guide the Eagles to a Super Bowl but was fired after the conclusion of the 2020 season. His decision to bench rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts in order to lose and gain a higher draft pick appeared to be the final nail in the coffin.

Carson Wentz had an MVP caliber season before an injury derailed hopes of winning the award. Backup Nick Foles stepped in and guided the Eagles to the Super Bowl 52 win. He also stepped in a year later and guided the Eagles to a shock Wildcard Round win against the Chicago Bears, with thanks also going to a Cody Parkey missed field goal.

Both Foles and Wentz are no longer Eagles players. Out of the starters in that Super Bowl 52 win, only seven remain with the franchise. Their decision to draft Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson continues to be mocked by rival fans and nobody knows how new head coach Nick Sirianni will do in the role.

The schedule is mixed for Philadelphia. Whilst they face the New York Jets, Lions, and twice play the New York Giants, they also have to face the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs.. This is as well as facing a rising Washington Football Team twice as well as playing the Dallas Cowboys both home and away.

Reports have surfaced in recent days of the Philadelphia Eagles being the favourites for Deshaun, with talks said to be “heating up”.

This could be a move that transforms the franchise. However, Deshaun Watson had his best statistical season yet the Texans only managed four wins all year. This proves that whilst it is very important to have a good quarterback, you need more around to be successful.

Unless the Eagles do something in what remains of the offseason, they will continue to be mediocre if their roster continues to be this poor. If they get offensive or defensive talent in the next one or two offseasons, then they are a team that will compete for years to come. Otherwise, the Eagles will fail to be a threat to both the NFC and NFC East.

This is why Deshaun should avoid the Eagles at this present time. He will be going into a situation no different to what he experienced in Houston.

Prediction: 4-13

What A Difference A Year Makes

Where do we start with the Houston Texans? The 2019 season saw them take a 24-0 lead against the Chiefs in the Divisional Round. However, they allowed 41 unanswered points as they lost 51-31. What has unfolded since in the following nineteen months has been reminiscent of a Greek tragedy.

Head coach Bill O’Brien, who also was general manager, made the unusual decision to trade star wide receiver, Deandre Hopkins. In exchange, the Texans received a running back past his sell-by date in David Johnson, one second-rounder and one fourth-round pick. O’Brien only lasted four games in the 2020 season as they finished the campaign with just four wins.

Since the conclusion of the 2020 season, franchise legend J.J Watt has left and there continues to be an uncertain future surrounding quarterback Deshaun Watson. Houston’s quarterback requested a trade in January before allegations of sexual assault arose. These have lingered throughout the remainder of the offseason. It is unclear if Watson will play in the NFL at all in 2021 but even if he does, it is unlikely that he will be wearing a Texans jersey.

Houston has said they would listen to trade offers for Watson, with the franchise said to be wanting three first-round picks. They have also acquired Tyrod Taylor via Free Agency and used their first pick in the draft on Davis Mills in the third round. Even if the Eagles stick with Hurts, there will be plenty of other suitors.

Even with Watson, the Texans are light on the ground when it comes to elite talent. Linebacker Zach Cunningham and Laremy Tunsil are talents and despite adding Phillip Lindsay and Mark Ingram to the running back room, the roster is one of the league’s worst.

David Culley has developed somewhat of a worrying reputation after his time with the Eagles, Chiefs, and Baltimore Ravens. During his fourteen-season spell with the Eagles, his four seasons with the Chiefs, and two years with the Ravens, he had 0 wide receivers earn a PFF grade of 80 or above.

The Chiefs wideouts went an entire season without a touchdown under Culley. With a wide receiver room featuring Brandin Cooks, Nico Collins and Anthony Miller, this is not exactly a position of strength for the Texans. Culley is unlikely to see any of these receivers score high PFF grades.

Whilst the Texans might be playing the Jacksonville Jaguars twice and the Jets, they have a tough schedule. They will face the Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins and Seattle Seahawks. Houston will also play the Los Angeles Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers as well as the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans twice.

They are unlikely to win many of these games. Fans should be expecting a difficult season.

Prediction: 2-15

The post Expect the Lions, Eagles, and Texans to have the worst records in 2021 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Sukhwant Singh

Intro

Every year we as fantasy owners cringe when comes to drafting tight ends. Be it PPR or standard leagues there are just not enough premium TEs available. Once the heavy hitters, Travis Kelce, Darren Waller, George Kittle, and Mark Andrews are off the board the rest of the crop is pretty average to below average.

In this article, we’ll focus on that next tier which can make or break your fantasy squad. I’ll be doing this article based on PPR league rankings/points. With that said let’s get started!

Top three Tight Ends to buy:

T.J. Hockenson

I’m on the hype train for T.J. Hockenson this season. I know the QB position has taken a bit of a hit with Jared Goff now at the helm instead of Matthew Stafford but this shouldn’t affect Hockenson’s value much. The team lost its top WRs in Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, and Mohamed Sanu.

This now opens opportunities for plenty for Hockenson especially working those underneath routes. Hockenson finished last season as a TE5 with 175.3 total points in PPR formats. I fully expect him to exceed those numbers easily this season! Look for Hockenson/Goff to hit it off early and often this season. Acquiring Hockenson, given the right price is a trade worth assessing and committing to.

Noah Fant

It’s almost unfair the amount of QB uncertainty and bad QB play that Noah Fant has been dealing with. Even with that said Fant finished with 149.3 fantasy points which were good for TE9. Fant’s current ADP has him going in round 7 and later. That to me is an absolute steal!

Drew Lock/Teddy Bridgwater will bring the best in each other (at least we all hope they do) and that should have a direct result in better QB play overall. In addition, top receiving weapon Cortland Sutton will be back and fully healthy, so most of the defensive focus will shift towards him. This leaves Fant to win one on one coverage with slower linebackers and/or smaller safeties. Fant can be had for a tremendous value.

Tyler Higbee

I cant wait to see the chemistry/connection that Stafford develops with Tyler Higbee during this summer and into the season. Higbee finished as the TE8 in 2019 with 160.4 fantasy points. Although last year was a bit of a down year for him I expect him to bounce back in a big way.

Firstly, Stafford is now his QB. A big upgrade over Goff! Secondly, his target stealer (Gerald Everett) is now in Seattle. This leaves Higbee as the best TE option on the team. In 2020 Higbee out-snapped Everett by over 200 snaps! Higbee is set for a big role this season and fully expect him to break out and have a huge fantasy year.

Top three Tight Ends to sell:

Mike Gesicki

I’m just not a believer in the Dolphins QB situation. Mike Gesicki finished as a TE7 with 159.3 fantasy points in 2020. Now with the addition of Will Fuller and rookie Jaylen Waddle to an already crowded receiving core room. There are plenty of weapons on the Dolphins offense and I’m not sure that Tua Tagovailoa will be able to spread the ball around as needed.

This is where Gesicki’s fantasy outlook takes a hit. He might be the odd man out in terms of weekly sustained fantasy production on that team and this is where you as fantasy owners can get solid value for Gesicki. There will be plenty of TE-hungry fantasy managers will take the name and past fantasy production without looking at the complete picture/context. Take advantage of it and sell Gesicki high!

Evan Engram

In a similar boat as Gesicki, Evan Engram is the odd man out. The Giants added Kenny Golladay, drafted Kadarius Toney and will have Saquan Barkley back from injury. Just like with the Dolphins and Tua, I’m not sure if Jones will be able to keep all these mouths happy and fed often enough.

Engram finished as TE15 last season with 141 fantasy points. This is without the above names being on the team last season. Daniel Jones is in a make-or-break season and thus far I haven’t seen enough to convince me that he can be in that top 15 QB tier. Sell Engram as he another big name out there but little fantasy value.

Kyle Pitts

Now before everybody goes crazy as to why I’m mentioning Kyle Pitts, let me explain. This sell on Pitts is for redraft leagues ONLY! Second, I’m only saying sell because of his current ADP value of 4.04. This is insane for a player who has yet to take an NFL snap.

Pitts would have to have one of the greatest rookie TE seasons in NFL history for him to be worth that high of pick. We all have seen how rookies tend to struggle to get adjusted to the NFL level. Pitts will be no different. I’m not saying he will be a bust. What I am saying is that to draft Pitts with your third or fourth pick and say he goes 65/600/5 as his stat line, that would be good for about TE10!

Last season Hunter Henry posted a 60/613/4 line in 14 games with the Chargers good for TE12! You see it’s all about value. You can find other TEs that can give similar production that can be had in a later round. Now if Pitts falls down the ladder to you in rounds eight or later then by all means scoop him up. However, to make him one of your first top five picks isn’t worth it. Sell high and get back a huge haul!

The post Top Fantasy TEs to Buy/Sell appeared first on Pro Football Mania.