The New York Giants will have to shell out more money than the $160 million they gave the quarterback in the
offseason to get Daniel Jones to play to his full potential. Someone like two-time 1,000-yard wide out Tee Higgins is
needed to aid No. 8.
In 2024 NFL free agency, the Giants ought to sign the wide receiver from the Cincinnati Bengals, as per Bleacher
Report’s Brad Gagnon. Gagnon thinks that the Giants’ decision to sign Higgins and continue with Jones is a “half-
measure,” but it’s still a more practical solution to their quarterbacking problems: “Stay with Jones and sign Tee
Higgins, who might be able to help Jones reach his full potential.” Add more funds to the problem! If it’s only a
partial solution, it’s better than nothing.
Maintaining Jones as the starter would enable the Giants “to bolster elsewhere with what’s likely to be a top-10 draft
pick,” as Gagnon also noted. The New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy supports that reasoning as well, speculating that
Big Blue may hold off on selecting a quarterback until the 2024 NFL Draft with one of its two second-round
selections, similar to how the Philadelphia Eagles selected Jalen Hurts in 2020.
In addition to acquiring Higgins, pausing the hunt for a new QB1 would allow the Giants to address a persistent issue
at receiver. Higgins, who has had a difficult season with Jones, may end up being the go-to target on the perimeter.
2023: The Bengals.
Tee Higgins Ready for ’24 Comeback Campaign
This year differs greatly from Higgins’ consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 2021 and 2022. The 24-year-old’s injuries
haven’t helped either; he has missed time due to hamstring and rib issues.
Despite only having 23 catches and six starts this season, Higgins still possesses qualities that the Giants need.
Specifically, the capacity to widen the field.
The way that No. 5 is gaining those yards is interesting, even though he is averaging 12.1 yards per reception. Pro
Football Reference reports that Higgins averages 7.7 yards before catch per reception, but he gains 119 of his 328
yards after the catch.
In Week 9, he had his greatest game of the season—an eight-catch, 110-yard performance against the Buffalo Bills—
and demonstrated what he could do after the catch. All Bengals writer Mike emphasized Higgins’s work.
The Giants’ primary goal when using the air is to convert short catches into long gains. This explains why Brian
Daboll, the head coach, has chosen slot-style, small-sized wide receivers like Parris Campbell, Sterling Shepard, and
Wan’Dale Robinson.
As a 6-foot-4, 219-pound physical specimen, Higgins stands out more. His stature helps him in the red zone, as
demonstrated by this Week 2 touchdown reception against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Giants would have the best of both worlds if they signed Higgins. Although he is not as athletic as Isaiah
Hodgins, he has the same after-catch ability as Robinson and is just as much of a vertical burner as Darius Slayton
and Jalin Hyatt.
Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen had the ability to substitute a single standout option for multiple
underperforming receivers. Additionally, they would leave themselves with plenty of draft money to shore up
another weak point in Jones’ supporting cast.
Giants Can Adjust Line in Front of Daniel Jones with Draft
The 4-8 Giants are probably going to have a top-10 draft pick even though they are currently enjoying a two-game
winning run. They will be able to easily outmuscle the class’s top offensive lineman thanks to it.
Tight end Olumuyiwa Fashanu of Penn State is a potential replacement for failing right tackle Evan Neal.
Alternatively, Brandon Thorn, Gagnon’s colleague, notes that Joe Alt of Notre Dame plays “with pristine technique
on and through contact with excellent pad level, balance, and body control to steer, sustain, and finish blocks
consistently.”
Jones would welcome either Alt or Fashanu because he had taken 30 sacks prior to rupturing his ACL in Week 9
against the Las Vegas Raiders. In any case, the Giants must use at least one top-end pick in the upcoming draft to
strengthen a weak lineup.
If that tactic is combined with signing Higgins off the veteran market, a healthy Jones would have no reason to
refuse to fulfill his contract.
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