New York Giants: Daniel Jones silences critics with strong debut

New York Giants top draft pick Daniel Jones silenced the critics and had probably the best debut of any rookie quarterback in the 2019 class.

The New York Giants’ selection of quarterback Daniel Jones was met with heavy criticism.

After trading Odell Beckham Jr., the Giants were not exactly on the good graces of the NFL in general, and every move this team made seemed more curious than the last.

The combination of trading away Beckham and using the sixth overall pick in the draft on the former Duke quarterback was like a combo cross-upper cut from a heavyweight boxing champion.

The Giants limped into OTAs and training camp, at least from an outsider’s perspective, and Jones’ camp work was once again met with scrutiny and negativity. It’s the unfortunate beast that is the New York media, and the fact that some people just like to watch a train wreck in motion.

But Jones’ development didn’t stop at OTAs. He wasn’t a bust just because some people didn’t like the pick. He shouldn’t be written off because the Giants picked him when that was completely out of his control in the first place.

Jones really shut up his critics with a sensational debut in preseason play.

Yes, it was against the Jets’ backup defense, but what we’re evaluating here is more than just level of competition. We’re evaluating footwork, ball placement, execution, accuracy, velocity, poise, and so much more.

I don’t care if it was against second or third or fourth team, the throws Jones is making here are absolutely on point.

Two throws that really stand out in his work here are the deep cross to Cody Latimer against zone defense with the underneath defender retreating to the ball and the touchdown pass to Bennie Fowler, which are both just perfect balls.

Jones put the exact amount of air under the ball that needed to be there, and just the right touch of zip on his passes.

He looked like a top 10 pick, which is what he looked like the last time he stepped out onto a football field in Duke’s bowl game win over Temple.

Jones has qualities of a franchise quarterback, and always has. He didn’t have three years of incredible tape at Duke but he did have really strong tape and some moments where he flashed ‘elite’ ball placement, accuracy, and by the way, he’s a great runner with the football. We saw only his pocket abilities here but don’t let this guy fool you — he can really run well.

Jones deserves a lot of credit for playing exceptionally well in the Giants’ preseason opener.