Based on the results of the season, it’s not surprising that the New York Giants aren’t represented on the AP’s First Team All-Pro. The team finished with only five wins and was nearly out of the playoff race entirely by the time that midseason rolled around, but despite that outcome, they did manage to get one player on the AP’s Second Team All-Pro. That player might not be the one that you expect.
Aldrick Rosas, the Giants’ kicker who joined the team last year after being waived by the Titans in the 2016 offseason, managed to make it to the Second Team All-Pro after only two seasons in the league. Rosas made all but one of his field goal attempts, scoring 32 out of 33 times and making 31 of his 32 extra point attempts. Rosas contributed 127 total points to the team, a big step up from the 74 points of last year.
At only 24 years old, Rosas will be a long term player at an underrated position. If the Giants had been in more close finishes this season, his skill would have likely been noticed even more.
However, there was another notable Giant this season that likely should have been recognized, who didn’t make it onto either the First Team or the Second Team like Rosas. Saquon Barkley finished second in rushing yards for the entire league in his rookie season, but was snubbed in favor of First Team running back Todd Gurley and Second Team back Ezekiel Elliot. Gurley, notably, finished with less yards than Barkley but had the advantage of a better offensive line and a team that was in the spotlight all season, unlike the 5-11 Giants.
It’s good to see Rosas acknowledged by the wider sports media world, but it does seem like Barkley was underrated with some voters and didn’t get the proper credit after pulling off a historic season while playing in a bad situation. Still, Giants fans will know just how impactful Barkley was this season, and with this only being Barkley’s rookie year, there will be plenty of chances for him to gain more accomplishments later.
