If you ask old school scouts what is required to field a championship contender, they will quickly tell you that it takes eight to twelve blue-chip players to compete for a title. This premise has been the standard for general managers around the league and I rely on it to help me identify the players to watch on game day.
With that in mind, let's identify the players to watch on the Cowboys' next opponent. Here's a quick report on the current blue-chip players for the Giants.
Saquon Barkley, RB: The 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year has returned to form as an all-star playmaker from the backfield. Barkley has fully recovered from the knee injury that robbed him of his juice a season ago. The fifth-year pro is not only displaying the speed, quickness, and burst that made him a threat to score from anywhere on the field, but he is displaying the balance and body control to jump and an out of holes to avoid defenders. In addition, Barkley has flashed the sticky hands and route running skills that make him a nightmare to defend out of the backfield. With 282 scrimmage yards and one touchdown through two games, the Giants' RB1 is clearly the focal point of the game plan.
Daniel Jones, QB: Do not let Jones' pedestrian stats fool you. The fourth-year pro is playing winning football for the Giants as an athletic game manager with a high football IQ. Jones has avoided the costly turnovers that have cost the Giants in close games. As an efficient passer (70% completion rate) with a strong touchdown-to-interception ratio (3:1), Jones has been effective enough to keep the Giants' offense on schedule. Most important, he has played mistake-free football for a team that is learning how to win.
Sterling Shepard, WR: The veteran pass catcher does not dazzle defenders with fancy moves or exotic releases. Shepard is a classic possession receiver with a knack for making tough catches in a crowd. As a reliable route runner with strong hands and outstanding awareness, the veteran has become Jones' top target in critical moments, particularly on third down and in the red zone. If the Giants need a play in the passing game, there is a high probability that the ball is going to No.3.
Andrew Thomas, OT: The Giants' franchise tackle has anchored a line that has exceeded modest expectations. Thomas is a massive road grader with the length to stymie pass rushers at the line of scrimmage while also creating space in the ground game.
Leonard Williams, DE: The ultra-versatile defensive end is the Giants' top pass rusher. Williams has totaled 35.5 career sacks, including 18 over the past two-plus seasons. As a 300-pounder with quick hands and outstanding first-step quickness, the veteran can win with power or finesse on the inside. If the Cowboys fail to pay close attention to No.99 on the Giants, the veteran could wreck the game plan from his defensive end spot.
Dexter Lawrence, DT: The massive defensive tackle is a Grade A run stopper with the size, strength, and power to thrive as a one-gap or two-gap player. As an immovable force at the line of scrimmage, Lawrence destroys the inside running game and makes life miserable for running backs plunging between the tackles.
Xavier McKinney, S: The third-year pro is the traffic cop of the defensive backfield. McKinney gets everyone aligned and communicates the checks to ensure the defense plays the proper call against each formation. As one of the Giants' team captains, the youngster's leadership skills and intangibles matter more than his stat line.
Julian Love, DB/Special Teams: The Giants' Swiss Army knife is a productive playmaker with the instincts and awareness to create splash plays on defense or in the kicking game. Love enters the Monday night game as the team's leading tackler and is one of several unsung heroes who have keyed the team's surprising start.
