2022 Team Previews: New York Giants
New York Giants Fantasy Preview 2022
All ADP data is courtesy of Fantasy Pros.
** = target in drafts at this ADP
Top 120
**Saquon Barkley, RB (ADP: 23): I covered Barkley’s disappointing 2021 season here, but as time has passed I find myself more interested in rostering him in 2022. No, Barkley’s PFF rank wasn’t great (58th), and no he hasn’t played a full season in three years. I’ll cop to not being able to get his electric rookie season – 2,028 yards from scrimmage, 15 total touchdowns – out of my head. The key selling point on Barkley, especially at this ADP which is back of the second round in 12-team leagues, is that opportunity is king. If you can stomach the injury risk, Barkley is going to monopolize backfield touches for this offense, which has nowhere to go but up from a historically awful 2021 unit. Talent-wise, there’s probably not a more exciting player at the position than Barkley, so coupled with that vast opportunity, he could easily return first round value with some health. Mix in the improvement we can count on from the Giants’ offensive line with the addition of rookie Evan Neal, and the upgrade from Joe Judge to Brian Daboll at head coach, and this has the look of a bounce back campaign.
Kadarius Toney, WR (ADP: 118): This ADP seems low for Toney when we recount just how electric he looked as a rookie, but when you look at the season’s body of work, it’s a bit grim. He popped in Week 4 with six receptions and 78 yards, then emerged as a potential star vs. Dallas, putting up 10 catches for 189 yards. He was on his way to another big game vs. the Rams, with three receptions for 36 yards in the first quarter before getting hurt. And then that was it. He returned in Week 8, played three fantasy useless games, and was out again until Week 16, which was the last time we saw him. After the Dallas game, Toney combined for 19 catches and 139 yards in six games. So that’s how you get this ADP.
Toney’s athleticism and speed are ridiculous, but Reception Perception notes some flaws that could be fatal to elite fantasy hopes. Essentially, he is still so raw as a route runner that he’s not really at an NFL level in that regard. He was dreadful vs. man and press coverage, basically doing damage against zone because of his quick-twitch capability. If you remove the Dallas game blinders, you’ll realize Toney is a fun-as-hell player, but an incomplete receiver with one of the NFL’s worst QBs getting him the ball. He can provide value on this ADP, but he’s not going to be a target for me.
Kenny Golladay, WR (ADP: 147): Golladay’s been a tremendous bust for Big Blue, but they’re hoping the arrival of Brian Daboll can transform this offense into a functioning attack. I’m not betting on that. Golladay was almost the opposite of Toney’s profile, ranking in the fourth percentile vs. zone coverage, while also showing a decline from previous seasons in his success rate on nine routes, once his bread and butter. Injuries might’ve sapped the best of Kenny Golladay here, and even at his best he was a low-volume producer. Golladay has never logged more than 70 receptions in a season, he’s topped five touchdowns just once, and he has made it through a full campaign once in five years. Peeking under the hood to try and find underlying stats that support a bounce back doesn’t work either. Golladay was flat out not good, he doesn’t have a good QB, and even with improvement, this offense is not going to be elite in 2022. You’re getting a huge discount these days, and I’m still probably staying away.
Fantasy Relevant (121-200 ADP)
Sleeper Class (200 & later)
Daniel Jones, QB (ADP: 233): I’m over calling Daniel Jones a sneaky choice to break out in one-QB leagues, and I wouldn’t even call him a great QB2 in Superflex/two-QB formats, but I’m not doing my job if I don’t point out the remote possibility of a leap forward. Jones has thrown 21 touchdowns combined in the past two seasons, and averages 221 passing yards per game for his career. These are numbers that, simply put, are not viable for fantasy success. Where Jones is quietly excellent is on the ground. When healthy, his rushing can establish a floor that will be helpful if his passing takes a step forward under Daboll. Jones averaged more than six yards per carry in his first two seasons, and was averaging a career-high 5.6 attempts per game in 2022 before getting hurt. His 26.3 yards per game on the ground is a useful number, and he’s never put up more than two rushing TDs, meaning a spike season is likely coming. Now, I don’t believe he is good, so that high rushing floor is going to be the bulk of what he gives you. But if Daboll can work some Josh Allen magic on Jones, you can see a viable fantasy QB if you squint super hard. I’ll be missing out though, because I’m not interested in drafting him.
Wan’Dale Robinson, WR (ADP: 253): Robinson was an unexpected choice for the G-men in Round 2 of this year’s draft, but judging by the flaws of this receiving corps there’s a chance he develops a real role on this team early. The problem is that Robinson profiles similarly to Toney; he’s a raw route runner who makes his bones on pure talent and slipperiness. Robinson did have more college production than Toney, catching 104 passes at Kentucky as a junior for 1,134 yards and seven touchdowns. He also piled up more than 100 rushing yards on just seven carries. He’s a big play waiting to happen, and he’ll probably flash as a rookie, but his lack of refinement probably means he’s not going to have any consistency in 2022.
Sterling Shepard, WR (ADP: 306): It’s a shame Shepard tore his ACL, because he might be this team’s best actual receiver. He’s a good player who has been hamstrung by bad offenses of late, and he has not made it through a full season in three years. Coming off an Achilles is scary stuff, and he will likely not be ready to suit up for quite some time. I like him, but he’s not so talented that I’m willing to stash him on a roster while unable to play, nor do I believe big production is coming in this offense once he does return.