Giants news, 1/8: Rebuilding through the draft, Joe Schoen, Jalin Hyatt, more headlines

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From Big Blue View

Other Giant observations

One lesson learned: Stubbornness can have consequences. The Giants could have had Daniel Jones play on his fifth-year extension in 2023. Instead, they signed him to a four-year, $160 million contract extension and held on to him for two more seasons. The result: a 9-25 record in the last two years. Now owner John Mara has decided that head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen will stay for another season. Let’s see how that works out.

Banks: The change begins with the head coach

The Dabes-to-do list. Starts with him pic.twitter.com/jukDI1hcEg — Carl Banks (@CarlBanksGIII) January 7, 2025

If MIke Kafka is not longer with the team or bypassed again, Daboll’s next option is trusting either quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney or another rising QB coach star (like Minnesota’s Josh McCown) to take on that responsibility, or looking outside the organization for a more experienced play-caller (like recently fired Seahawks offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, who was canned on Monday).

Despite the good news, Daboll is in a tough spot because of the Giants’ draft position. In the No. 3 slot, they should be nervous about the availability of one of the top quarterbacks in the draft. The two teams ahead of them in the order, the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, could take a signal-caller. Also, a QB-needy club could pull off a trade with the Browns to leapfrog New York for a prospect.

Kafka has served as the offensive coordinator for Brian Daboll since 2022 and added assistant head coach to his title this year.

Tom Coughlin once had to convince ownership that he deserved a fourth season after consecutive playoff appearances. That was 18 years ago. It feels like a lifetime. Maybe this decision will turn out like Coughlin, who survived to see a fourth season and went on to win two Super Bowls. But on Monday, the Giants seemed further away from those glory days than ever.

Foxworth rips Mara over “patience” comment

.@Foxworth24 didn't mince words about Giants' President and CEO John Mara. pic.twitter.com/0wvuDke9mv — Get Up (@GetUpESPN) January 7, 2025

Malik Nabers will lead the NFL in receiving yards with Kirk Cousins under center for The New York Giants in 2025. Despite terrible quarterback play, Nabers still joined Anquan Boldin and Puka Nacua as the only rookie wide receivers in NFL history with 100-plus receptions and 1,200-plus receiving yards. The Giants might want to consider following their path. They could trade for Cousins on the cheap and also use their early draft pick on a quarterback. Not only would Cousins help with the rookie’s growth, but these moves would also give the Giants two chances to have a competent quarterback to put under center in 2025.

12. Sam Darnold goes back to New York … in a different uniform. Darnold should have suitors in free agency, and that market might be driven by teams’ lack of desire to spend a top pick on a quarterback. If the Giants aren’t enamored with Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward, maybe they fix that problem by signing Darnold in March and simply drafting the best player available. Sam Darnold and Travis Hunter suiting up for Big Blue in 2025, anyone?

The Giants’ wide receiver room is filled with young studs and Darius Slayton was on board as the resident veteran. The Giants may not feel they need Slayton any longer now that Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson have established themselves. The other variable here is Jalin Hyatt, who has been rumbling about his underuse. Slayton will be back if he’s reasonably priced.

3. WR Malik Nabers, PFF Grade: 86.7. Nabers delivered an impressive rookie season for the Giants, averaging 2.17 yards per route run and earning an 87.1 PFF receiving grade. Targeted 165 times, he hauled in 109 receptions for 1,204 yards. 13. CB Andru Phillips, PFF Grade: 77.5. Phillips was strong close to the line of scrimmage in his first season, earning a 78.1 run-defense grade for the Giants. He was solid in coverage, too, earning a 75.8 coverage grade and allowing just 373 yards from 335 snaps in coverage.

5. Malik Nabers, WR, Giants. Nabers finished second among rookie receivers with 1,204 yards but cruised to the rookie lead in receptions with 109. That's because Nabers created for himself. He forced 19 missed tackles, which tied for the fifth-most among all receivers. He was a dynamic route runner at all three levels and went nearly 50% (18 of 39) when needing to make a contested-catch.

Around the league

Raiders fire head coach Antonio Pierce after 4-13 season | NFL.com

RFK Stadium bill signed into law; site transfer expected within 6 months | The Washington Post

Kellen Moore will interview for Jaguars’ head coaching job | Bleeding Green Nation

Dallas Cowboys would be better served to move on from Mike McCarthy | Blogging The Boys

Chargers add RB depth for postseason with Ezekiel Elliott | ESPN.com

Titans fire general manager Ran Carthon after two seasons | NFL.com

Deion Sanders reacts to Titans firing GM: Does it affect Tennessee as landing spot for Shedeur in NFL Draft? | CBSSports.com

Ryan Poles does not rule out trading for Bears next head coach | Pro Football Talk

Dolphins met with Tyreek Hill to address ‘unacceptable’ situation in season finale | NFL.com

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