As the NFL New York Giants head into opening day, questions on whether the team has gotten better and are they closing the talent gap compared to their rivals persists. Questions on whether the team has gotten better, and are they closing the talent gap are asked as well.
Television, radio, the local newspape, the internet, and social media all have their pundits out offering their opinions. I am interested in whether the Giants are closing the talent gap with the teams in their own division. The Giants play in the National Football (NFC) East Division, and the division potentially could be very competitive.
Contrast and Compare Team Construction
While both the Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys are projecting better seasons than last year. The Commanders were 8-8-1 whereas the Cowboys were 12-5. The Cowboys ended their season by losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the playoffs. This piece focuses on and contrasts and compares how the Philadelphia Eagles, a participant in last year’s Super Bowl and the New York Giants are being built and constructed.
The New York Giants have struggled to keep up with the talent level of their rival Philadelphia Eagles in recent years. However, with 2nd year General Manager Joe Schoen, New York has made closing the talent gap a priority through the draft and free agency. In the 2022 season, the Eagles had more top-level talent with a league-high 8 players named to the Pro Bowl. Some of the players named to the honor include Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, Lane Johnson, Jason Kelce, Brandon Graham, and Darius Slay. Conversely, the Giants had just 2 Pro Bowlers: Saquon Barkley and Dexter Lawrence.
Closing the Talent Gap by Accumulating Draft Picks
The Giants have prioritized accumulating draft picks, trading down in the draft and picking up additional selections. More picks give them more chances to find talent. 6th round selections Tre Hawkins and Gervarrius Owens made the team. So did 7th round selection Jordon Riley. Hawkins figures to see starting time at left corner back during the upcoming season. Free agents A’Shawn Robinson and Bobby Okereke were signed in the off-season. They both figure to significantly contribute as starters to the defense. They were both signed in part to address last year’s suspect run defense. Okereke alone had 151 tackles, 99 solo last year.
The Eagles, on the other hand, have been more aggressive trading up for specific players they target. GM Howie Roseman traded a 2022 first-round pick and a 3rd round pick to Tennessee for wide receiver A.J. Brown, and he also traded a 2022 first-round pick, a fourth round pick and two fifth round picks to Houston for a 2022 first round pick (No. 13 overall). That pick was Jordan Davis.
Historically, about 10-15% of 1st round picks make a Pro Bowl. Things drop off significantly afterwards as only 3% of 2nd-rounders make the Pro Bowl, while around 1-2% of 3rd and 4th rounders, and less than 1% of 5th -7th rounders make it to the Pro Bowl.
Team Building
Another team building approach is simply looking at the chances of players making the team. While there are high expectations for players taken in the first three rounds, chances do drop off afterwards. Those drafted in the fourth round have a 75% chance of making the team, and a 15-20% of becoming a starter within the first two years. As expected, the numbers drop with the lower drafted players: A fifth rounders chance of making the team is 60% with only a 10% chance of becoming a starter within the first two years.
We will see how these two team building approaches succeed as the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants will square off twice in the regular season this year.
Barry Schustermann
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