Giants introduce Joe Judge as new head coach

Art Stapleton | NFL writer

EAST RUTHERFORD — Joe Judge went through his entire introductory news conference last Thursday without mentioning a single player currently on the New York Giants' roster by name.

That was an intentional act by the new head coach of Big Blue.

"I have an outsider’s perspective. We have a lot of talent on this roster. It’s been assembled that way for a reason, I don’t want to sit here and try to give you expert analysis without having done my due diligence and homework to sit down and thoroughly investigate each one of these players," Judge said.

"They all have ability. I’m excited to work with every player on our roster. Every player on our roster has talent, and every player on our roster will compete for whatever they get. Nothing will be handed out."

So as Judge begins his roster evaluation, here is a ranking of the Giants' positions of need (most glaring to least, which could also be viewed as an area of strength):

1. Linebacker

You can’t win in today’s NFL without speed at the second level of your defense, no matter the scheme.

The Giants need to revamp this position the most, and considering the most reliable inside linebackers were an off-the-street free agent whose key to staying in the league is special teams (David Mayo) and a fifth-round rookie who tore his ACL two games after being named a starter (Ryan Connelly), that should be obvious.

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The Giants’ best edge player (Markus Golden) is a free agent. Oshane Ximines showed flashes as a rookie, but he’s got a ways to go before he can be counted on as a front line player. Same goes for Lorenzo Carter, although the next position coach needs to find his best spot. Veteran Alec Ogletree is no longer a piece to build around, and the argument can be made that he wasn’t when the Giants traded for him two years ago.

A strong case is building for Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons to be a much-needed chess piece in the middle of the field.

2. Offensive Line

New York Football Giants

Kevin Zeitler was a stabilizing force at right guard and a pro. The pieces around him are up for debate.

A priority for the new position coach must be to get Will Hernandez to make the leap from promising rookie to steady veteran, the one he didn’t make completely in his second year. Nate Solder endured a difficult season on and off the field, and his contract will always loom over his head. A move to the right side could be in order, depending on what happens in the draft or what comes available on the market, but Solder could be a player who trends up, at least compared to what he showed in 2019.

The combination at center of Jon Halapio (torn Achilles) and Spencer Pulley offers a spot in need of an upgrade. Before his injury, Halapio’s play was underwhelming. Mike Remmers did what he was expected to do at right tackle, but he’s not a long-term solution there.

Nick Gates showed promise at guard and tackle, and it will be interesting to see how he performs under new guidance. Seventh-round pick George Asafo-Adjei is a complete unknown after missing the entire year with a concussion.

Draft a long-term solution at left tackle and sign Jack Conklin – once the apple of the Giants’ eye in the draft – to lock down right tackle for the future.

3. Defensive back

Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com

Youth and inexperience. There's no doubt the Giants will look to bring in a strong voice to help this position mature.

DeAndre Baker, Sam Beal and Corey Ballentine all got their opportunities. The potential is there, but there's uncertainty as well. Would not be a bad thing to get a proven vet corner to work into this group.

Grant Haley began the year as the starting nickel, but lost time to Ballentine and was relegated to special teams. Julian Love showed enough to be in consideration to play safety next to Jabrill Peppers, who missed the final month of the season.

Despite a lot of returnees, this is a blank slate and far from a finished product despite the draft resources used here.

Giants staff: Joe Judge to hire Patrick Graham as defensive coordinator

4. Wide receiver

Darius Slayton was a breakout performer. His ascension gives this group a different look.

Still remains to be seen if Sterling Shepard and Golden Tate coexisting is the best thing for the offense schematically. The Giants can get out of the Tate contract if they choose due to his suspension from the start of this past season. Remains to be seen if they will.

Cody Core is a special teams standout. Cody Latimer has been a role player whose reps on offense have decreased. Rookies David Sills V and Reggie White Jr., among others, spent the year on practice squad before Sills' late call up, and both are signed to futures deals.

There's certainly reason to believe the Giants can use some firepower here on the perimeter.

5. Tight end

The health of Evan Engram is a huge factor. The Giants will have to decide whether they are picking up his fifth-year option, which makes a lot of sense.

Could Engram be a trade chip to improve another position? Maybe.

Rhett Ellison missed a chunk of the season with a concussion and will likely be a salary cap casualty. Rookie Kaden Smith emerged down the stretch and could have a significant role next year. Pat Shurmur's offense used a lot of two-TE sets, so it will be interesting to see what the new offensive coordinator wants to do.

6. Defensive line

Jason Behnken, AP

The Giants have poured a lot of assets into this position.

Dalvin Tomlinson is the longest-tenured member, while Dexter Lawrence is a cornerstone. The fit for B.J. Hill will be interesting. And there's the situation with Leonard Williams, who is expected to re-sign as a free agent - although that is not a guarantee.

The Giants want to be multiple with odd and even fronts, so they could look to make a splash in free agency with either Yannick Ngakoue or Jadeveon Clowney - provided either hits the market.

7. Running back

Saquon Barkley is the centerpiece here.

A new system with new faces could help Wayne Gallman Jr. with a fresh start after he was seemingly banished down the stretch for Buck Allen.

The Giants could use some versatility behind Barkley, but make no mistake, he remains the engine.

8. Quarterback

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Daniel Jones is positioned to make the Giants look very good for drafting him No. 6 overall last April. His presence should mean the most to Judge's tenure here, even if we have not been told just yet by the new coach of his feelings about Jones and his potential.

Eli Manning is not expected to return as a backup, even though John Mara indicated he would not be against it. Alex Tanney was viewed as a possible No. 2 behind Jones when Pat Shurmur was here, but the security of his spot is unknown.

Danielle Parhizkaran, NorthJersey

Art Stapleton is the Giants beat writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all Giants analysis, news, trades and more, please subscribe today and sign up for our NFC East newsletter.