Bulked-up Daniel Jones could challenge all NFL QBs in rushing this season
Run, Daniel, run.
Brian Daboll’s offense may lean even more on Daniel Jones’ legs in year two than the Giants did in year one.
Adding explosive pass plays is a focus, but Jones’ athleticism and toughness are central to his talent. And after signing his big contract, Jones quietly bulked up even more in the gym this spring.
He added “about 10 pounds of muscle,” The MMQB reported, something Jones couldn’t totally dispel on Wednesday.
“No,” Jones said with a laugh on Wednesday. “I’m a little bit heavier, and maybe a little bit stronger, a little bit faster. But 10 pounds might be an exaggeration.”
Jones already is a formidable 6-5, 230 pounds. He made noticeable changes to his body a couple of years ago and remained committed to a rigorous offseason regimen last year coming off a neck injury in 2021.
Then he not only stayed healthy all of last season. He did it while doubling his rushing workload.
Jones carried the ball 120 times for 708 yards and seven touchdowns in the regular season. And he backed it up with 17 carries for 78 yards in the Wild Card playoff win in Minnesota.
So why add more muscle?
Well, a lot of what Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka have done to improve this offense has been centered around Jones’ movement, misdirection and running threat.
And as Daboll puts more on Jones’ shoulders in the passing game and in year two of his offense, Jones will have more opportunities to improvise and flex his physical skill set, just as Josh Allen once did with the Buffalo Bills.
Not that Jones cares whether he throws it or runs it to score.
“I think we just want to win games: score points and win games,” Jones said. “However we do that, I don’t think any of us really care too much about that. So using my legs or throwing the ball downfield, however it comes, I think we’re just trying to score points and be as effective as we can as a group.”
The other factor that could result in more Jones runs is the Giants’ offensive line.
Right tackle Evan Neal still needs to prove himself in pass protection. And the interior of Daboll’s line is terribly unsettled. They’re still using a dizzying three-man guard rotation deep into training camp with Josh Ezeudu, Ben Bredeson and Mark Glowinski.
Frankly, Daboll may have to resort to the run again by necessity.
Last year, Jones averaged 7.5 rushes per game in the regular season, fifth among all NFL QBs behind only the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts (11), the Chicago Bears’ Justin Fields (10.6), the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson (9.3) and the Bills’ Allen (7.75).
But Jones carried the ball 10 or more times in four of his final seven games last season, including the playoffs, for an average of 9.1 carries per game in that stretch.
Kafka said the game plan, and the decision to run Jones versus throw it a bunch, will simply depend on each week’s opponent.
“Each week seems to be a little bit different,” Kafka said Wednesday. “Each week, we’re going to have to decide how we want to handle that, based on how they present their defensive structure. So some weeks, maybe a little bit more. Some weeks, maybe a little bit less. Then depending on how the game goes and what their adjustments are in-game, then we have to be able to adjust.”
Jones’ athleticism isn’t in the Giants’ back pocket, though. It’s one of their primary weapons. And it wouldn’t be surprising, especially with Jones bulked up, if they use him that way.
PRACTICE NOTES
TE Darren Waller and WR Parris Campbell each received a “vet day” on Wednesday, the team said. They were inside the building working, the team said, along with three other new absences: DT A’Shawn Robinson, LB Darrian Beavers and OG Marcus McKethan … Tyre Phillips returned to team work as the right guard with the second-team offensive line. Safety Jason Pinnock (leg) and wide receiver Cole Beasley (leg) both participated in the individual and early parts of practice but sat out the team period … Saquon Barkley and Sterling Shepard both received significant work in practice and looked fast.
