Giants coaches gush over improvement of QB Daniel Jones

Coaches who work alongside Daniel Jones during practices believe the New York Giants quarterback is on the verge of a breakout NFL season. 

"I think Daniel right now’s throwing the ball better than he ever has, me going against him when I was (with the Baltimore Ravens) and practicing with him all year last year," Giants defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale recently told Steve Serby of the New York Post. "What’s tough is his athleticism, 'cause you could defend one play and it turns into another play when he scrambles and either finds a receiver or runs for 10 or 12 yards." 

Jones enjoyed his finest pro campaign, to date, playing under first-year head coach Brian Daboll and first-year offensive coordinator Mike Kafka en route to earning a four-year deal that reportedly could be worth up to $160M. 

While speaking with New York sports radio station WFAN on Monday, Giants general manager Joe Schoen noted how a "lack of continuity" impacted Jones earlier in his career. 

That's not an issue this summer considering the Giants held onto Kafka after he completed head-coach interviews this past offseason. 

"He’s in a totally different place right now just with the operation," Kafka told Serby about Jones. "In year two, that’s what you get. Year two in the same system, same head coach, coordinator, quarterback coach, there’s a lot of familiarity, and so you’re able to take advantage of that." 

Schoen and company were criticized by league executives and analysts for signing Jones to what, on the surface, seemed to be a massive contract. It's now known the agreement includes a so-called "escape hatch" that could allow the Giants to move on from the 2019 first-round draft pick as soon as after the 2024 season.

To help Jones possibly become the best version of his on-the-field self this fall, Schoen acquired tight end Darren Waller from the Las Vegas Raiders, signed wide receiver Parris Campbell and drafted potential home-run hitter Jalin Hyatt in the third round. 

Assuming the Giants are serious about utilizing star running back Saquon Barkley as a deep threat in the passing attack, Jones could be considered an "elite" fantasy football starter by Week 18 in January if Martindale's assessments of the 26-year-old are accurate. 

"Just what I see from the defensive side of the ball, I see a more confident player, and a guy that communicates more, and he’s not afraid to let it rip," Martindale added about Jones. "I think that it’s just gonna be every day you’re gonna see something better with him."