3 Takeaways from Giants' Week 15 Loss vs. Saints
The New York Giants' three-game winning streak came to a screeching halt in Week 15. While the Giants carried plenty of momentum into Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, they lost it early and never recovered.
Feel-good story Tommy DeVito faced constant pressure from the Saints defense, while New York couldn't get anything going on the ground. The result was two first-half field goals and a second-half shutout for the Giants offense.
New York's defense, which played with an edge during the winning streak, couldn't do enough to keep the Giants in the game.
The Giants fell to 5-9 with the loss, meaning it's all but officially time for New York to begin focusing on 2024.
It's Time to Focus on the 2024 Draft
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As it relates to the 2023 season, Sunday was a must-win scenario for the Giants and their slim postseason hopes.
"No delusions about what this loss means in the Giants' locker room. Players acknowledged that the playoff dream is essentially dead," The Athletic's Dan Duggan posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The Giants will play out the season, and they'll likely play with a sense of pride. However, it's time for head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen to start eyeing the 2024 draft and, perhaps, a new quarterback.
Daniel Jones was a disaster when healthy this season, and while DeVito provided a spark for a few weeks, he struggled against the Saints. He held the ball too long, took seven sacks and produced a large chunk of his 177 passing yards in garbage time.
DeVito can have a future in New York as a backup, but he isn't lifting this offense out of mediocrity. Schoen needs to consider making a serious run at a top QB prospect like Caleb Williams or Drake Maye in the spring.
Receiver Is Still a Major Need
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If the Giants decide to give Jones another opportunity, then wide receiver should be the biggest position of priority in the draft.
New York tried to upgrade its receiving corps last offseason, adding the likes of Parris Campbell, rookie Jalin Hyatt and tight end Darren Waller. However, the receiving corps has rarely been good enough, regardless of who has been under center.
On Sunday, Giants veteran Darius Slayton and second-year man Wan'Dale Robinson were the only wideouts to catch a pass. Waller (four catches, 40 yards) was solid in his return from a hamstring injury. However, New York didn't have a single player capable of dictating New Orleans' coverages or backing the defense away from the line of scrimmage.
This is something that has to be addressed in the offseason, especially with several quality receiver prospects slated to be available. The Bleacher Report Scouting Department recently ranked Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. as its top 2024 prospect, and it has seven receivers ranked inside the top 30.
Upgrading the quarterback position should be New York's top priority, but finding a legitimate No. 1 receiver shouldn't be far behind.
Saquon Barkley Disappears
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At times, Saquon Barkley looks like one of the best offensive threats in the NFL. Last week, for example, he produced 101 scrimmage yards with two touchdowns and a fumble. Other times, though, he sort of just seems to disappear.
Sunday was an example of the latter phenomenon, as Barkley had just 37 scrimmage yards on 11 touches. He struggled to get going early, and New York turned away from him and the running game fairly quickly.
DeVito led the Giants with 34 rushing yards.
Games like Sunday's are why it will be hard for the Giants to justify giving Barkley a long-term deal in the offseason, if they indeed go that route. Barkley can be great at times, but he isn't consistently great enough to carry New York's struggling offense.
The Giants gave Barkley the franchise tag this past offseason in order to try making a 2023 run. However, that run never materialized, and the oft-injured Barkley will turn 27 in February.
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