5 breakout stars to watch for New York Giants in 2020

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 09: David Mayo #55 of the New York Giants argues a no call with back judge Terrence Miles #111 during the fourth quarter after a Philadelphia Eagles touchdown at Lincoln Financial Field on December 9, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia defeats New York in overtime 23-17. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

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New York Giants. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

It’s been a very rough three years for Big Blue. Hence it’s start-over time for the New York Giants. What players are expected to step up this season?

Once upon a recent time, the New York Giants were under the guidance of head coach Ben McAdoo. In his first season at the helm, he led the club to an 11-5 record and a playoff appearance in 2016. The team was keyed by a rebuilt defense. But Eli Manning and company and that unit were taken apart by the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in the first round of the playoffs.

In some ways, the franchise hasn’t recovered since. McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese would not make it through the entire 2017 season, a year in which Manning was inexplicably benched. He would return and start every game for the club rest of the year as well as 2018. This past season, he would eventually give way to rookie signal-caller Daniel Jones, although he did make a few starts near the end of the year. And now the two-time Super Bowl MVP has retired.

Big Blue’s newest sideline leader is former New England Patriots assistant Joe Judge. On Thursday night, general manager Dave Gettleman has the fourth overall pick in the draft at his disposal. But what about the club and the current talent on the roster? Can each of the following five players come up big this fall as the club looks to erase the memories of a combined 12-36 record the past three seasons?

5. CB Deandre Baker

When it was all said and done last April, the New York Giants actually selected three players in the first round of the draft. The used the sixth overall selection on quarterback Daniel Jones, the 17th pick on Clemson defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence and finally the 30th-overall choice on University of Georgia cornerback Deandre Baker. The latter two performers were hoping to come in and add a little spark to one of the worst defenses in the league.

Baker would play in all 16 games and make 15 starts. He finished sixth on the team with 61 tackles and while he did not come up with an interceptions, he ranked second on the club with eight passes defensed. New York’s defense is now under the guidance of Patrick Graham and the addition of former Carolina Panthers’ cornerback James Bradberry should not only help this unit but the former Bulldog as well.

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