New York Giants: 5 players who must improve

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 01: New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) and New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) chat on the sideline during an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 01, 2017, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 31: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants in action against the Washington Redskins on December 31, 2017 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Redskins 18-10. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

1. Eli Manning

Everyone in the Giants organization took a ton of flack for failing to secure a replacement for Eli Manning via the 2018 NFL Draft. Instead, the team has opted to build around Manning this season. He’ll need to have an excellent year to prove the front office’s strategy correct.

Evaluating Manning last season was pretty difficult. He didn’t enjoy good pass protection and the absence of Beckham Jr. really limited his options down the field. Despite those extenuating circumstances, it still must be said that Manning just didn’t look good throwing the football.

To make this offense go, Manning is going to have to push the ball down the field. He only managed 5.7 yards per passing attempt last year. The Giants offense isn’t skilled enough to nickel and dime their way down the field. They will need to be a big play offense.

The Giants hope that recommitting to the running game will take a lot of pressure off their quarterback. Saquon Barkley and Will Hernandez were both drafted to give the offense more balance. Theoretically that will make life easier for Manning.

This season represents a career crossroads for Eli Manning. If he can play well and push the ball down the field the Giants can stick with him for a few more years. If he doesn’t, it’s going to make the team’s decision to pass on a quarterback in this year’s draft look really bad.

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