New era of NFL quarterbacks pose challenge to 49ers, league

No. 5: Daniel Jones, New York Giants

Daniel Jones made a splash in his first start in the NFL last year, leading his New York Giants to a comeback victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Down 18 points at halftime on the road, Jones began delivering perfectly placed passes all over the field, scrambling to create time to complete high-pressure red-zone throws on third and fourth down, the latter being on the game-winning drive.

The then-rookie quarterback displayed poise and accuracy and endeared himself to his teammates and fans alike who had been fiercely loyal to the two-time Super Bowl-winning QB, Eli Manning to that point. It was the NFL’s second-largest comeback victory by a rookie QB making his first career start. He finished that game 23-of-36 for 336 yards, two touchdowns with no interceptions while added 28 rushing yards with two more touchdowns on the ground.

While his season was filled with ups and downs, Jones finished the season with 24 touchdowns, 12 interceptions for 3,027 yards passing and a 61.9 percent completion percentage. He added 279 yards on the ground during his 13 games played (12 as a starter).

With New York in need of sports stars, Jones, along with fellow Giants running back Saquon Barkley, could be the next big thing. NFL Network’s Good Morning Football host Peter Schrager (h/t Yahoo! Sports) certainly thinks he has a chance, stating:

"I don’t want to be overly dramatic here, but New York and New Jersey are going through some things right now, and if there is football, do you realize how important the Giants and Jets are going to be to those fan bases? . . . The Jets and Giants diehards, they long for good football, and if football is being played and the Giants are good. . . And Daniel Jones can bring glory to this team, you better believe that Daniel Jones might be the biggest superstar in New York throughout the entire fall and winter months."

While it remains to be seen if Jones can lead the Giants to a winning season after getting just four wins in 2019, it is not unheard of. Just ask last season’s Super Bowl runner-up San Francisco 49ers, who won just four games themselves in 2018.

Jones and his Giants will get a crack at the defending NFC champs as the 49ers visit the G-Men in Week 3 this upcoming season.