G-men starting wild card Tommy DeVito vs. the Bucs
The Giants face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 12 fresh off a Bye and after benching $160M quarterback Daniel Jones. Head coach Brian Daboll has named Tommy DeVito the starter, passing over Drew Lock. DeVito played in eight games last season, making six starts. He threw for 246 yards and three touchdowns against the Commanders in Week 11 of 2023. Apart from that, DeVito never topped 200 yards passing, and threw just five other touchdown passes total. Fantasy gamers should not expect an upgrade in the Giants offense with DeVito replacing Jones.
The team faces a Tampa defense that is bottom-half against the run, but even more ineffective against the pass. The Bucs are currently last in the league in Success Rate allowed on opponents’ dropbacks: a soft matchup for DeVito and the Giants’ pass catchers. The G-men will also likely be in a negative Game Script against a Tampa offense that has been in the top quarter of the league this season and getting Mike Evans back. The Giants are used to negative scripts this season (-5.26, No. 27), and are No. 6 in team pass attempts per game with 38.0.
That said, the only auto-start in the pass game is rookie sensation Malik Nabers. Wan’Dale Robinson is flex-ible in PPR leagues as a Bye week fill-in – 8.4 targets per game, but just 394 (No. 50) receiving yards. Fantasy gamers may want to pass up starting Robinson with the uncertainty of the QB situation. Tyrone Tracy Jr. is a startable RB2 against a Bucs run D that is No. 26 in RB fantasy points against. Tommy DeVito is a wild card as a fantasy QB producer, startable only as a desperation bye week sub-in.
– Joel Ybarra, @metaffb
New York Giants rookie quarterback Tommy Devito will make ...
New York Giants quarterback Tommy Devito threw for 191 ...
Fifth year starting QB benched, possibly for good
The Giants are benching Daniel Jones for their upcoming Week 12 bout versus the Buccaneers, and most likely for the remainder of the season. The former No. 6 overall pick (2019) was coming off a two-interception game against the Carolina Panthers in Week 10 before the team’s Bye this past week.
The Giants are 2-8, having lost their last game to the lowly Carolina Panthers (3-7) in overtime. Jones has thrown only eight touchdowns on the season to seven interceptions, and has an injury guarantee that kicks in if he is injured and cannot pass a physical by March of 2025. The team is not in contention and if Jones was injured during play, it would cost the Giants an extra $23M in dead cap if they released him. That means Daniel Jones’ time with the Giants is likely done. Tom Pelissero reports the Giants are likely to name Tommy DeVito their starter going forward.
– Joel Ybarra, @metaffb
Tyrod Taylor will take over for the struggling Tommy DeVito and start at quarterback for the Giants in Week 17
Tommy DeVito was successful when he initally took over at quarterback for the injured Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor. That led to him being named the signal caller even when Taylor returned from injury. However, after multiple subpar offensive outings, the Giants will make a change. Taylor will make his first start since week 7 this season and will likely remain the quarterback for the team’s final two games.
This marks the end of an exciting story for a player whose fame quickly rose because of his big personality. DeVito performed admirably and proved he’s a quarterback in today’s NFL. That role should be as a backup though because DeVito doesn’t have the playmaking ability or decision-making to be a consistent starter.
For fantasy managers in championships this weekend though Taylor remains an intriguing option. He will be off the radar in 1QB formats, but considering the injuries to the quarterback position this year, Taylor will be a back-end QB2 in my rankings. He remains active with his legs and has been efficient in his limited opportunities over the last several years.
