The 2023 NFL Season is here, and the Music City Drive In is getting you ready. Check back each day from now until September 3 as we look at each team and make award and playoff predictions. Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.

Under new coach Brian Daboll, the Giants found their groove in 2022. The team wasn’t dominant, but behind a strong showing from quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley, the team won nine games and qualified for the post-season. In the playoffs, the Giants came out hard in the Wild Card round and knocked out the Minnesota Vikings. While their playoff run ended in Philadelphia, the Giants still showed great improvement in 2022. What can they do for an encore?

Off-Season Changes

The Giants had something of a quiet off-season, focusing on keeping their own core players. That included agreeing to terms on a new long-term contract with Jones and signing Barkley to a one-year deal. Behind Barkley, the Giants signed James Robinson, who split 2022 between the Jaguars and Jets and started the off-season with the Patriots.

In the passing game, the Giants made a pair of moves. First, the team signed veteran receiver Parris Campbell from the Colts. Campbell has struggled with injuries but had a strong 2022 season. He caught 63 passes for 623 yards and three touchdowns on 91 targets. The team also moved to acquire tight end Darren Waller from the Raiders. Waller caught 286 passes for 3,469 yards and 17 touchdowns in five seasons for the Raiders. Both figure to give Jones much-needed passing game weapons.

In the draft, the Giants grabbed cornerback Deonte Banks in the First Round and center John Michael Schmitz in the Second Round. In the Third Round, the team snagged Tennessee receiver Jalin Hyatt. Hyatt caught 67 passes for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2022. He gives the team another passing game weapon.

Fantasy Impact

Jones has a new contract and showed promise in 2022. Can it continue? He was QB9 in 2022 and has better weapons this season. Still, I like him better as a QB2. In the backfield, Barkley had a great 2022 season, staying healthy and finishing as RB5. On just a one-year deal, he figures to be motivated to do it again. I like him as an RB1.

In the passing game, there are a lot of pieces but it’s not clear who to rely on. The one lock seems to be tight end. I like Waller as a TE1 and a top weapon for Jones. At receiver, Campbell and Hyatt join a group that includes Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepherd, both re-signed, along with second-year man Wan’Dale Robinson and Isaiah Hodgins, who flashed to end the 2022 season. All figure to play but it’s hard to feel confident in any. I like Campbell as a WR4 with some possible upside. Hyatt seems like a solid dynasty pick that might not have a great 2023 season, while Hodgins feels like the late-round pick I’d like with some upside. But Waller is about the only passing game weapon I’d be confident starting week-to-week.

Prediction

The Giants surprised many last year, winning nine games and making the playoffs. They won’t be a surprise this year as they run it back. I still like the Eagles and Cowboys better in the NFC East, but I think the Giants can win nine to 10 games and make the playoffs again.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.