The Impact of Kenny Golladay on the New York Giants Offense

Overtime Heroics Editorial

810 days ago

The New York Giants finally got their prized acquisition in former Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay, as a playmaker was desperately needed for this offense. His career stats so far are 47 games, 183 catches, 3,068 yards, and 21 touchdowns. Golladay will need to continue on that pace if he is to live up to his contract that was signed in Free Agency, but is it possible? The Giants sure hope so, and this article will try to explain their thinking when they brought Golladay into the fold this off-season.

Giants Saving Grace?

During the 2021 National Football League offseason, Golladay became a free agent for the first time in his career. The New York Giants held him in for a visit on Thursday, March 18th, and then two days later, he signed a 4 year, $72 million contract with $40 million guaranteed. The $18 million per year was the highest amount per year this year in free agency, putting him in the likes of Tyreek Hill and Odell Beckham Jr.

Golladay"s best year was in 2019 when he went to the Pro Bowl with his stats at 65 catches, 1,190 yards, and 11 touchdowns. In 2019, he became the only fourth player to have a season with 65 receptions, 18.0 yards per catch, and 11 touchdowns. The Pro Bowler has had an injury history though as he was unable to play in five games in 2017 due to a hamstring injury and missed 11 games this past season due to injuring his hamstring and hip flexor. Although Golladay missed the majority of the 2020 season, he became a free agent and ended up signing with the Giants.

Immediate Impact Player

Golladay is the best offensive free-agent acquisition that the New York Giants could have gotten this offseason. His deep threat and contested-catch ability will make the offense an improved one. Before Golladay had signed with the Giants, there was no wide receiver on the team that was taller than 6"1. In the 2018 and 2019 seasons, the fifth-year ranked second in the National Football League with 43 contested catches on 79 targets.

From 2018 to 2019, Golladay has the second-most receiving yards on passes that are thrown 20 plus yards or more. His quarterbacks really do trust him 20 plus yards down the field! Safe to say, quarterback Daniel Jones, will definitely be looking for him down the field often this season!

Thanks for reading my article about Kenny Golladay heading into the 2021 NFL season!

main image credit

Embed from Getty Images