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NFL power rankings: Saints, Chargers lead way into 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 20: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) talk during a TV timeout during the NFC Championship Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints on January 20, 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 20: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) talk during a TV timeout during the NFC Championship Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints on January 20, 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 30: New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) during the National Football League game between the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys on December 30, 2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 30: New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) during the National Football League game between the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys on December 30, 2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

. . . New York Giants. 20. team. 31

2019 Key Additions: It’s been a very busy offseason for Big Blue and general manager Dave Gettleman, who has received his share of criticism for the various moves made by the club. The Giants dealt wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and pass-rusher Olivier Vernon to the Browns in separate deals, but did get back guard Kevin Zeitler, safety Jabrill Peppers and more. Gettleman turned two first-round draft choices into three picks in the Top 30, adding quarterback Daniel Jones, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and cornerback Deandre Baker. All told, the team used seven of his 10 draft choices on defense. Wideout Golden Tate and outside linebacker Markus Golden should help Pat Shurmur’s club as well.

Offseason Review: Many feel that veteran quarterback Eli Manning has held the team back in recent years. But a closer look at the defensive side of the ball shows that it hasn’t upheld its end of the bargain since that breakout year in 2016. Hence the many changes to this group starting with those deals last October (Damon Harrison to Lions, Eli Apple to Saints) and since. Did the Giants find a pass rush in this draft or will Golden wind up being the answer on James Bettcher’s defense. There were some strides made during the second half of 2018 but there’s still plenty that needs fixing here.

Next: No. 19

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