Giants year-end awards: Best out-of-nowhere player, breakout star, redemption story, more

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
By Charlotte Carroll
Jan 5, 2023

The ringing in of a new year and the ending of the regular season offer time for reflection. Yes, there’s still football to be played in Week 18, but what about what we’ve learned about the Giants in these past five months of camp, games, practices and locker room chats?

And with the Giants playoff-bound and preparing to play a game of little consequence, what better time to hand out some awards?

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We did a locker room survey earlier this season that answered the most important questions like who is the team’s best trash talker and best dancer. But with the regular season coming to a close, it’s time to expand on those categories and hand out a few of our own awards.

So between the best quotes, touchdown celebrations and on-field production, here’s a look back at some of the Giants’ best from this year. We’ll see you in the comments:

Best of out-of-nowhere contributor: Isaiah Hodgins

A few days after the NFL trade deadline came and went with the Giants not adding receiver help — and actually trading one away — general manager Joe Schoen claimed Hodgins off waivers from his old team, the Buffalo Bills. The bye-week roster move barely made a ripple, even though Hodgins was joining a struggling wide receiver group that had been dealt numerous blows. Collin Johnson tore his Achilles during a preseason practice; Sterling Shepard and Wan’Dale Robinson each tore ACLs during the season; Kadarius Toney was dealt to Kansas City at the deadline; and Kenny Golladay was failing to live up his $72-million contract. Needless to say, the wide receiver corps was pretty thin. Enter Hodgins, a Bills 2020 sixth-round pick, who had previously played in just three career games.

In short order, he’s become one of the Giants’ most reliable pass-catchers, racking up 351 yards (third-highest on the team) on 33 receptions. He’s been on a tear lately, scoring touchdowns in four of the past five games as he gets more and more comfortable with quarterback Daniel Jones.

“In the pre-draft process, he was exactly what we were looking for in terms of smart, tough, dependable, very intelligent,” coach Brian Daboll said recently. “He was a good player at Oregon State. And then he played behind some pretty good players there, I would say, in Buffalo. And he kept a great attitude. He was on the practice squad, doing the things he needed to do to help the team. He knew our offense. He has a good skill set, and I’m glad we have him.”

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Best redemption story, non-Daniel Jones division: Richie James

Don’t worry. We have an award for Jones, too. But James needed to win this one. After fumbling two punt returns in the Giants’ Week 8 loss to the Seahawks — giving him three fumbled returns on the year — some were calling for James to be cut. He at least seemed poised to take a back seat on the depth chart. But he’s not only returned as the Giants’ primary punt returner (and hasn’t fumbled since) but he’s stepped up at wide receiver, leading the team in receptions (37) and touchdowns (four) since Week 9. For the season, he’s second on the team in receiving yards at 569 and tied with Saquon Barkley for the team lead in catches (57).

He’s certainly had some key drops, but he’s been a mostly reliable target for Jones amidst all the position group change, ranking second among all Giants pass-catchers in first downs (29). In a slot receiver-friendly offense, James’ emergence has been big with the absence of Robinson.

Best go-to-guy/Mr. Reliable: Graham Gano

As the Giants offense has delivered inconsistent results, Gano has been bankable. With the Giants playing so many one-score games, his accuracy has been a huge part of their success. He’s made 28 of 31 field goals (90.3 percent), including some game winners, and has missed just two extra-point attempts. He’s also strong from long distance, going 8-of-9 on kicks from 50-plus. Special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey recently referred to him as a “hell of a player.”

The Giants dominated the Colts in their most recent game, but they’re likely to be in closer games in the weeks to come. They can trust Gano.

Best quote, coach division: Wink Martindale

The Giants defensive coordinator has perfected the art of an unexpected zing in his weekly meetings with reporters. He’ll often interject fun comparisons in his analysis, providing plenty of laughs but also just good quotes. As reporters, we love these, and for fans, it’s a fun talking point.

Who could forget Martindale’s likening of Dexter Lawrence to a “Rolls-Royce?” Or what about the pop star in Minnesota when Martindale was discussing Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell? Martindale said: “I said it’s unfair: I’m the blue-collar guy going against Harry Styles. He’s a good-looking young guy, but I really like Kevin.”

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And we like you too, Wink, for these all-around gems.

Best quote, player division: Jihad Ward

As with Martindale, this isn’t for any one particular quote. Ward is simply a go-to in the locker room, always providing brutally honest takes. After the tie against the Commanders, Ward was straight up in his take on the important rematch: “We gotta win this f—ing game. … This is a must-win.” After the Giants clinched, he was ready to go out and party: “It’s time to turn up.”

Add in that Martindale and Ward have a history from their time in Baltimore and, honestly, their quote game is a match made in heaven.

Best sideline energy: Sterling Shepard

After Shepard tore his ACL, the wide receiver decided to stick around the team to help mentor the younger receivers. But his presence has just been a positive for all. He’s almost always at practices, throwing balls and assisting. But one of his most public contributions might be his sideline presence during games. He’s hard to miss as he runs between teammates, jumps on the bench waving a towel and is always near the action. He’s the first to congratulate a teammate after a big play, and his energy is unmatched as the Giants’ biggest cheerleader.

Best moment: Daniel Jones’ curtain call

The ovation the quarterback received in Week 17 was one of the feel-good moments of the year and an indication of how much Jones has developed and thrived under a new coaching staff.

Jones was booed at a draft party in MetLife Stadium when his name was announced as the Giants’ first-round pick in 2019, and he’s struggled to live up to high expectations ever since. But this season, despite throwing to a rotating cast of receivers and playing behind a so-so offensive line, he’s shown incredible toughness, better playmaking ability and improved ball security. On offense, he and Barkley have been the driving forces pushing the Giants into the playoffs. The Giants faithful recognized that and all he’s been through and rewarded him Sunday with a sweet moment for all to enjoy.

Best breakthrough performance: Kayvon Thibodeaux

Thibodeaux was scrutinized throughout the 2022 NFL Draft process, but the outside noise didn’t matter much to the Giants, who selected him with the No. 5 pick.

Thibodeaux missed the first two games with an MCL sprain, so when he returned, fans were anxious for him to make a major impact right away. He had some good games, but the sacks weren’t there. While Thibodeaux received praise from the coaching staff all season, the rookie finally emerged as a regular threat in the last few games, particularly with a breakout performance against the Commanders in Week 15.

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In the win, Thibodeaux finished with 12 tackles, but the pièce de résistance was a sack, forced fumble and recovery capped off with a touchdown. The pass rusher grand slam. It was a night he’ll surely never forget.

Best ankle-breaker: Saquon Barkley

There are a lot of awards you could create for Barkley, but we’re using this one as an excuse to talk about his ridiculous moves. I mean, just watch the clip. Just look at this swerve that had poor Jon Bostic sliding. If it’s any consolation to the Commanders linebacker, he made a nice recovery, and to be fair, Barkley has done this to a LOT of defenders this year and throughout his career.

Frankly, he’s liable to make any defender just look silly.

Best position tweak: Dexter Lawrence

In defensive line coach Andre Patterson’s first meeting with Lawrence, the two discussed the 2019 first-round pick shifting a little to line up directly over the center rather than in front of a guard. The veteran coach saw Lawrence’s potential before he even got to New York and thought nose tackle would be a home fit for Lawrence.

Well, Patterson’s thoughts proved prescient, as Lawrence is now a Pro Bowler. He has tallied a career-high 7 1/2 sacks along with 63 pressures and 32 hurries, per TruMedia.

Another impressive stat: He’s not missed a game this season and often plays upwards of 70 percent of defensive snaps. He’s anchored the defensive line and provided a good reminder of what a small shift in perspective will do.

Best TD celebration: Richie James

James was a late addition to this with his celebratory backflip Sunday after catching a touchdown pass. It was the first Giants score of the game and set New York on a dominating trajectory. The Giants clinched a playoff spot with the win, and more importantly for this category, we can find no fault with this celebration: great height and form. Sticks the landing (mostly).

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Another player’s acrobatic abilities we have to shout out is Ward’s, who is often spotted tumbling after a big defensive stop. Real gymnastics team these Giants have going.

Best welcome home story: Landon Collins

After the Giants brought back Collins in October to the practice squad, fans clamored for information on the former Pro Bowler who last played in New York in 2018. The Giants signed Collins to the active roster off the practice squad in late December, giving fans a moment they’ve longed for after Collins’ three practice squad elevations.

He didn’t disappoint those waiting. Sunday, he gave a throwback performance with a pick-six in the playoff clincher.

“Everybody in this locker room is very humble,” Collins said. “We know that we’ve got guys to go make plays. When your name is called, just do what you need to do to make that play for that team, for that down, for any situation that you’re called upon.”

(Photo: Adam Hunger / Associated Press)

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Charlotte Carroll

Charlotte Carroll covers the New York Giants for The Athletic. She previously covered the University of Connecticut basketball and the WNBA's Connecticut Sun for The Athletic and wrote for Sports Illustrated. She interned at The Denver Post and Field & Stream magazine. Follow Charlotte on Twitter @charlottecrrll