In just two seasons receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has become a legend in New York even though he’s yet to play in a single post season game. That could very well change this season as the Mara family broke the bank with over 200 million in free agency dollars in hopes of adding the right pieces to a franchise in search of old glory.

By Greg DePalma, PSN Executive Producer

New York Giants (6-10)

SB Futures: 20-1

FORMER

The Giants offense earned mixed reviews in coordinator Ben McAdoo second season. While the offense ranked a solid eighth overall in yards it was the combination of a poor 3rd down efficiency rate which ranked 22nd in the league and an even more frustrating red zone percentage that ranked 29th which caused the Giants offense to underperform at the most opportune moments. It didn’t help matters that the defense was awful ranking dead last in yards allowed at 420.3 per game and 30th in points allowed at 27.6 per game.

If it weren’t for the quality of play on special teams, things could have been much worse for the Giants in ’15. But the unit was a huge boon to the team thanks to kicker Josh Brown (30-32 including 3-3 from 50+), punter Brad Wing (tied a franchise record with 33 punts inside the 20-yard line) and returner Dwayne Harris (two return TDs and a 28.7 kick return average which ranked third in the NFL).

CURRENT

The Tom Coughlin era ended with four straight non-playoff seasons with the last three ending in losing seasons following a second Super Bowl win in 2011. McAdoo takes over and becomes a head coach for the first time in his 20-year coaching career.

One could argue that general manager Jerry Reese should have also seen the door and his time could be coming if the team doesn’t turn things around soon. Reese has only fielded five starters over the past five drafts, but he might have just saved his best class for last. It wouldn’t surprise me to see five players from just this past draft start by the start of the 2017 season.

Reese should also get high marks for acquiring one of the top-two free agent classes in franchise history. Time will tell how this class compares to the ’05 class which included QB Kerry Collins, OT Kareem McKenzie and MLB Antonio Pierce. While the Mara family can never be confused with the Steinbrenners, every decade or so they do seem to wake-up just in time to appease their loyal fan base and this is just the latest example.

With Olivier Vernon, Damon Harrison and Janoris Jenkins joining talented defenders Jason Pierre-Paul, Johnathan Hankins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie the defense appears ready for a major up rise.

CONCLUSION

If the free agents and rookies contribute as much as I believe they will the Giants have a good shot at returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

My major concern is with first-time head coach McAdoo. Getting a team from the NFC East to make the playoffs is one thing, but winning a Super Bowl is entirely something else. But if McAdoo can prove he’s the right man for the job, the talent should be there to take the Giants back to their winning ways before Eli leaves the building.

BUY/PASS ON SUPER BOWL FUTURES

-BUY

Key Veteran Additions…

-FA DE Olivier Vernon…Former Dolphin was one of the league’s top pass rushers last season.

-FA DT Damon Harrison…Former Jet is an elite interior run defender.

-FA MLB Keenan Robinson…Former Redskin was a poor run defender last season. Since Jasper Brinkley is far better in that regard and therefore should start, expect Robinson’s role to be more exclusively on passing downs.

-FA CB Janoris Jenkins…Former Ram is an above average pass defender who has 10 career interceptions and five career TDs entering his fifth season.

Key Veteran Subtractions…

-OT Will Beatty…Played 0 snaps in ‘15/was playing at a near elite level following the ‘14 season until a torn pectoral injury and subsequent torn rotator cuff sidelined him for the entire ’15 season.

-OG Geoff Schwartz…Played 685 snaps in ‘15/solid run blocker.

-WR Reuben Randle…Played 1016 snaps in ‘15/below average starting receiver. Better off being used off the bench against lower level defensive backs.

-DE Robert Ayers…Played 581 snaps in ‘15/good rotational pass rusher.

-CB Prince Amukamara…Played 779 snaps in ‘15/solid pass defender.

Top Sleeper…

-SS Darian Thompson…Rookie third-round pick could start on opening day with Taylor Cooper recovering from sports hernia surgery. Thompson broke Eric Weddle’s Mountain West Conference record for interceptions with 19.

Also keep an eye on…

-RB Paul Perkins…Rookie fifth-round pick.

-WR Roger Lewis…FA rookie from Bowling Green who caught 158 passes for 2,637 yards and 23 TDs over his two seasons with the Falcons; looks to join Victor Cruz as an impact undrafted Giants receiver.

-TE Will Tye…Second-year player from Stony Brook who started 7 out of 13 games played during his rookie season. Tye caught 42 passes for 464 yards and three scores filling in for the injured Larry Donnell.

-TE Matt LaCosse…Second-year player from Illinois who has a chance to start due to his above average blocking skills.

-DE Owamagbe (Oh-wah-MAH-bay) Odighizuwa (Oh-DIGGY-zoo-wah)…Second-year player from UCLA was drafted third overall by the Giants last season, but injuries curtailed his progress as he only got in on 130 snaps for the season.

-LB BJ Goodson…Rookie fourth-round pick.

Key injuries/suspensions…

-WR Victor Cruz…Cruz has missed the last 26 games, but is expected to return from his foot injury in time for training camp.

-TE Larry Donnell…Returning from neck injury.

-DT Johnathan Hankins…Returning from pectoral muscle injury.

-SS Taylor Cooper…Returning from sports hernia injury.