Fansided

Which NFL bottom feeders are primed for a turn around?

By Andrew Garda

Dec 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) on the sideline against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) on the sideline against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) gets past Philadelphia Eagles free safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) to score a touchdown during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) gets past Philadelphia Eagles free safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) to score a touchdown during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Giants

2014 record: 6-10

1st 2015 NFL Draft pick: No. 9 overall

Key Free Agency Acquisitions: Shane Vereen, Kenrick Ellis

Turnaround in 2015? Yes

I covered a lot of New York Giants games for outlets last year and it was a tough season to watch in person. Injuries to the offensive line, the receiver corps and running back killed the offense while multiple injuries across the defense did that unit in as well.

It was a bad season, but we saw the team improve during its first season in offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo’s offense.  Victor Cruz will be back and even if he’s not 100 percent what he was before, he and second-year player Odell Beckham Jr will be deadly this coming season as Eli Manning becomes more and more comfortable in this offense. On top of that Rashad Jennings will be back and healthy, and the team added Shane Vereen, an upgrade over any of the other backups these last season.

The biggest snag is that offensive line. They let J.D. Walton walk, which is fine, and Weston Richburg is a much more natural fit at center in my opinion so I think we’ll see an improvement from him.

Geoff Schwartz being healthy cannot be understated either, and of course Will Beatty was outstanding last season despite all hell breaking loose.

If the Giants can add some offensive line depth (or see a worthwhile starter with their first round pick), this line should be in much better shape.

The defense has to hope Jon Beason can stay healthy as it’s a much different unit when he is there and Jameel McClain can kick over to weakside and Devon Kennard—a delightful surprise as a rookie—can hang on the strongside.

The biggest concern might be the secondary though as they have no free safety on the roster right now. Prince Amukamara and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie both had some good moments last season, but there is little talent in the depth behind them. That said, overall the starting lineup for the defense should be pretty good—it’s the injury threat which is a concern.

I expect the Giants to rebound from last season’s disaster though, and gain more than the two games which would have brought them to .500 last season. And as we talked about with Washington, the NFC East is wide open—the Giants have an excellent chance of winning it.

I’ve very bullish on this offense and expect a big rebound from the defense. This is a team which should be in the thick of the playoff hunt this coming season.

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