Each NFL team’s biggest burning question in 2018
By Brad Weiss
New York Giants: Did the team do enough up front to be a playoff contender?
Heading into 2017, many expected the New York Giants to be a playoff team. They were coming off a season that saw them make the playoffs as a Wild Card, and they had added a few nice pieces in the offseason.
Well, that all went right in the garbage, as head coach Ben McAdoo lost his grip on the team, and then his job, as the Giants were one of the worst teams in football. To make matters worse, McAdoo benched Eli Manning for Geno Smith, which made him public enemy No. 1 with the New York Giants fan base.
In 2018, the Giants should be a much better team, as they will be getting star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. back. OBJ missed all but four games last season with an injury, and it really hampered what the Giants were able to do on the offensive side of the ball.
While losing Beckham certainly hurt, the real issue for the Giants was how terrible the offensive line has been in recent years. They tried to fix that this offseason by bringing in former New England Patriots left tackle Nate Solder to protect Manning’s blindside, and by drafting Will Hernandez in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft to play guard.
In addition, the Giants selected Saquon Barkley in the first round, giving them a dynamic running back to tote the rock in 2018. If the offensive line plays up to its ability, the Giants are going to be very solid on offense, but did the team do enough to bolster the unit this offseason? Only time will tell.