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Daniel Jones

Is New York sitting on a sleeper quarterback?

What does New York’s new coach, Joe Judge, think of Daniel Jones? Jones had an up-and-down rookie season, with flashes of decent play mixed with way too many turnovers.

Judge declined to mention Jones by name earlier this week, indicating that he’ll need to win a starting job, just like everyone else on the roster.

Jones in his first season was plagued by mistakes. He threw 12 interceptions in about 12 games worth of action, which isn’t terrible for a first-year player, but he fumbled 18 times. That’s the most by any quarterback in over 15 years.

At the same time, Jones averaged over 250 passing yards in the 12 games he started, with 24 touchdowns. He also displayed surprising mobility, averaging 23 rushing yards, with an additional 2 TDs.

Factor in the rushing production, and Jones starts to look sneaky good as a fantasy prospect. Only seven quarterbacks last year started at least half the season and put up better per-game numbers. That’s using traditional scoring.

In the last 10 years, 20 quarterbacks have been selected with top-10 picks. Only two of those guys (Cam Newton and RGIII) put up better per-game fantasy numbers in their first season.

I’m not suggesting the Giants are sitting on the next Mahomes or Watson, but this team has a nice collection of weapons around him. Saquon Barkley is a huge receiving threat out of the backfield, Evan Engram could develop into a top-5 tight end, and Darius Slayton was probably the most surprising of the rookie receivers last year. They’ve still got Sterling Shepard and Golden Tate under contract.

It’s early, but Jones to me looks like a reasonable 2nd quarterback to select in fantasy drafts, with some potential to outperform his draft position.

QUARTERBACKS SELECTED WITH TOP-10 PICKS
YearPlayerStPassTDPRunTDRPts
2011Cam Newton, Car.1625321441427.8
2012Robert Griffin III, Wash.152132054724.2
2019Daniel Jones, NYG122512423224.2
2018Baker Mayfield, Clev.132712710023.0
2012Andrew Luck, Ind.162732316522.9
2018Josh Allen, Buff.111821055822.8
2015Marcus Mariota, Tenn.122351921322.2
2019Kyler Murray, Ariz.162332034421.9
2015Jameis Winston, T.B.162532213621.8
2018Sam Darnold, NYJ132201711117.8
2016Carson Wentz, Phil.16236169217.8
2010Sam Bradford, St.L.16220184116.2
2014Blake Bortles, Jac.13207930016.2
2012Ryan Tannehill, Mia.162061213215.6
2017Patrick Mahomes, K.C.1284010015.2
2017Mitchell Trubisky, Chi.12183721214.7
2018Josh Rosen, Ariz.131721110013.1
2011Blaine Gabbert, Jac.14154127011.8
2016Jared Goff, L.A.715652111.7
2012Jake Locker, Tenn.00000.0

—Ian Allan

Fantasy Index