Who is going to score touchdowns for the Giants next season?
Scoring six points instead of three is the name of the game in the NFL, but the Giants don’t have many names with much history in the end zone after Saquon Barkley signed with the Eagles.
Even fewer if Darren Waller retires — and the Giants have been operating in free agency like that is their expectation.
So, start with an offense that tied for the third-fewest offensive touchdowns last season (25) and subtract Barkley’s 47 career touchdowns, the departed Sterling Shepard’s 24 and maybe Waller’s 20. What’s left?
The Giants have 17 other running backs, receivers and tight ends under contract who combine for 72 career touchdowns from scrimmage — or 19 fewer than that trio.
By comparison, the 49ers led the NFL with 61 offensive touchdowns last season, and the Broncos scored a league-record 71 offensive touchdowns in 2013.
After receiver Isaiah Hodgins — whose seven touchdowns over the past two seasons combined were second only to Barkley’s 17 — was not tendered a contract as a restricted free agent, just three of the remaining 17 playmakers (Devin Singletary, Darius Slayton and Isaiah McKenzie) have more than three career touchdowns.
“Me and Slay kind of always laugh about how we see touchdowns around the league that were like so easy — a busted coverage or something,” Hodgins, who remains unsigned, told The Post after last season. “Every touchdown except for the last game, we’ve had to scratch and claw for. Break tackles, diving catches, whatever. That’s how we’ve been wired, and how we’ve been getting for the past couple years. That’s just hard work.”
What does it all mean? Either:
- Help is on the way, when the Giants have just $2.5 million in salary-cap space and a need for a starting cornerback, too.
- Breakout years from youngsters are needed.
- More rock fights are in store this fall.
“I don’t think there’s anyone there you have to game plan to take away,” one NFL defensive coach told The Post.
Here is a look at some trickle-down effects of the currently constructed offense:
No. 6 pick in the draft
The five-year search for a worthy Odell Beckham Jr. successor finally could end if the Giants pick Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze.
Ourlads Football scouting service senior draft analyst David Syversten grades all three as No. 1 receivers and as top-eight receiver prospects over the accumulation of a 12-year career — after having just three No. 1 grades in the past four classes combined (Garrett Wilson, Ja’Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith and CeeDee Lamb).
There is no doubt any of those three receivers would get a high volume of touches in a limited offense. If the Giants opt to draft a quarterback in the first round, there are nine other receivers with top-50 grades for NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, so a No. 1 receiver by default could come from pick No. 47.
Darius Slayton
With 46 to 50 catches and 724 to 770 yards in four of his five seasons, Slayton is proud of his consistency.
He also believes he hasn’t nearly scratched his ceiling, given some of the offensive limitations over that time.
Slayton could get his first taste as a No. 1 weapon, taking the mantle from Barkley. That means more touches but also more defensive attention.
Jalin Hyatt, Wan’Dale Robinson and Daniel Bellinger
It’s time for general manager Joe Schoen’s draft picks to step into the spotlight. His three-highest-drafted playmakers — all top-112 picks in the past two drafts — have combined for six TDs in 67 career games.
Is Hyatt — whose 40 targets included 18 at 20 yards or more — ready to become more than just a deep threat? Was Robinson’s late-season surge — three of his five-highest career single-game yardage totals came after Week 13 — a sign of things to come as he puts a December 2022 ACL surgery in the rear-view mirror?
The acquisition of Waller messed with Bellinger’s role — used more often as a blocker — and maybe with his confidence when he took a step back after a promising season. He is in line to start and become a pass-catcher again after the Giants signed block-first backups Chris Manhertz and Jack Stoll.
Devin Singletary and Isaiah McKenzie
Singletary (24) is the new Giants’ career touchdowns leader. McKenzie (15) isn’t far behind Slayton (19).
Two journeymen used to splitting reps would be called upon as featured weapons if there was a game today.
“I feel like I can do it all,” Singletary said. “With the opportunity, I can make things happen. I’m smart, dependable. Just ready to get to work.”
There is more work for everyone to do if the Giants are going to climb out of the bottom of the NFL in scoring.
