Many analysts criticized the New York Giants for drafting Daniel Jones with the sixth overall pick in this year’s draft, but the early returns on the Duke product have been excellent.
Either out of fear for throwing Daniel Jones to the wolves or ill-advised loyalty to a two-time Super Bowl winner, the New York Giants seemed hesitant to relieve Eli Manning of his starting quarterback duties. Manning came off of a woeful 2018 season and was off to his usual problems in 2019, as many fans questioned why Jones wasn’t named the team’s Week 1 starter.
The Giants finally gave Jones his chance in Week 3, having seen enough of Manning at quarterback. Jones immediately rewarded Pat Shurmur’s faith in him by shredding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with his arm and legs, scoring four touchdowns and piling up 336 passing yards in an efficient and mistake-free performance.
Jones threw the first interception of his career in Week 4 against the rival Washington Redskins, and the throw was a typical “rookie mistake” that Quinton Dunbar took advantage of. So unlike his big game against the Buccaneers, Jones’ first half against Washington couldn’t be described as “mistake-free”.
However, Jones was still crisp when looking beyond that error. He completed 9 of his first 11 passes for 89 yards before that interception, throwing a touchdown to second-string running back Wayne Gallman.
Thanks to Jones and Gallman, the Giants jumped out to a 14-0 lead over their rivals in the second quarter, as former Giants star safety Landon Collins and the rest of his Washington defense struggled to find answers against Jones.
The Giants offense has looked infinitely better with Jones at the helm, and while that interception serves as a reminder that Jones is indeed a rookie, the overall efficiency shows why he was a top 10 pick – even if the pick was controversial at the time.
Sterling Shepard caught all four of the passes thrown at him for 48 yards in this one, and he has certainly reaped the rewards of playing with a more accurate – and more talented, at this stage – quarterback in Jones.
Golden Tate will be ready to return from his suspension, and the Giants will be that much better as a passing attack with a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver in the fold. Once Saquon Barkley is healthy and rolling with Evan Engram and No. 2 back Gallman as an option, Daniel Jones could have a loaded supporting cast.
Making the postseason is a tall order in an NFC East that includes two Super Bowl contenders in the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, but Jones has given the Giants a sliver of hope. Beyond that, he’s given Giants fans reason to be excited for both the 2019 season and their future, which seemed bleak in 2018 with Manning barely moving the chains.