Fantasy Insider Report: Darren Waller Looks to Have Major Impact on Giants’ Passing Game

If he stays healthy, the veteran tight end could be easily be the team’s leading receiver.

The Athlon Sports 2023 Fantasy Football Annual magazine reached out to team insiders at all 32 NFL clubs to ask them three key fantasy questions heading into the season. As we count down to training camp, Sports Illustrated will publish their answers here. Today’s team: New York Giants 

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What’s the likelihood of Darren Waller leading the team in all receiving categories?
That’s certainly possible if Waller can stay healthy. In 2019-20, the last two times he played full seasons, he averaged almost 100 catches and 1,200 receiving yards. Given the questions around the Giants’ receiving corps, they should give him the opportunity to come close to those numbers. It would be different if the Giants had a No. 1 receiver, but they just don’t.

• 2023 Team Outlook: New York Giants

Do the Giants plan to rotate their running backs to preserve Saquon Barkley?
I doubt it. They have no problem giving him a relatively full load, especially since he is by far their best and most explosive running back. Assuming he’s healthy, the only thing that might cut down his carries a bit would be the emergence of the Giants’ rebuilt passing attack. But even with that, they’re not going to turn into the Chiefs overnight.

Who will emerge as the No. 1 wide receiver?
Do they even have one? Isaiah Hodgins built some trust with Daniel Jones and put up 33-351-4 in eight games after the Giants claimed him off waivers last year, but he was mostly forced into a lead role because of injuries. If Darius Slayton had that in him, it would’ve happened already. Wan’Dale Robinson is coming off a torn ACL and he’s still 5-foot-8. Sterling Shepard and Jamison Crowder are both 30. The best of the group might be Jalin Hyatt, but he’s a rookie, and if they really thought he’d be a No. 1 right off the bat, they wouldn’t have waited until the third round to take him.

—Ralph Vacchiano, FOX Sports

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