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5 breakout stars to watch for New York Giants in 2021

By Mike Phillips

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 29: Dexter Lawrence #97 of the New York Giants is blocked by Dallas Goedert #88 of the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on December 29, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 29: Dexter Lawrence #97 of the New York Giants is blocked by Dallas Goedert #88 of the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on December 29, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – NOVEMBER 29: B.J. Hill #95 of the New York Giants pressures the quarterback against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on November 29, 2020, in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – NOVEMBER 29: B.J. Hill #95 of the New York Giants pressures the quarterback against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on November 29, 2020, in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

2. New York Giants breakout stars – DL B.J. Hill

One of the keys for the Giants will be to get more production out of some key rotational defenders in 2021. This is especially true for defensive end B.J. Hill, who is entering a contract year and is looking to re-establish himself as a playmaker in New York.

Hill burst onto the scene in 2018, recording 32 solo tackles and 5.5 sacks as a rookie out of N.C. State. The pass-rushing production has gone down for Hill over the past two seasons as he has just two sacks combined but New York has also been using him in several spots along the defensive line.

The best-case scenario for the Giants is that Hill earns more playing time rotating into the nose tackle spot, allowing him to utilize his pass-rushing skills to push the pocket from the interior. If Hill can do that and command some double teams it would help Graham creatively scheme to get his edge rushers more free shots at opposing quarterbacks.

It’s clear that Hill will have to do a bit more to earn a significant contract when he hits free agency next spring. The Giants could stand to benefit significantly if Hill is able to step up his game and put together a monster season in his walk year.

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