How Much Will Giants TE Daniel Bellinger's Role Change?

Daniel Bellinger, Tight End

Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 253 pounds

2022 Stats: 12 games played, 30 catches, 268 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns, 1 carry, 2 yards, 1 rushing touchdown

When the New York Giants used a fourth-round pick on Daniel Bellinger in 2022, he was expected to be a significant contributor early on, given how weak the position was last season. Following the departure of Evan Engram to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Bellinger seemed like the opposite kind of tight end that specialized in working close to the offensive line as opposed to as a slot or wide receiver.

Bellinger’s rookie season was an interesting one. Against Jacksonville in week seven, Bellinger was getting tackled when a Jaguars defender was trying to punch the ball out. Instead, the fist went through Bellinger’s facemask in a freak accident that would fracture Bellinger’s eye socket and septum.

While the term “safety blanket” is often used to describe tight ends, it’s rarely as accurate as it was for Bellinger, who was targeted 38 times between the regular and postseason and caught 33 targets.

Best Case Scenario

In 2022, the Giants frequently used 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) to allow for their running game to have more opportunities and creative blocking schemes while also being viable receiving threats since the Giants wide receivers were virtually non-existent for much of the season. Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka are better equipped to continue using 12 personnel with Bellinger and Darren Waller in the fold.

Ideally, Bellinger’s production stays the same or increases slightly from what he did in 2022 on a per-game basis. It might sound weird to say that the best-case scenario for someone is that they produce the same or barely more than they did in their rookie year, but Bellinger’s situation is also unique because of the addition of Waller.

Getting 42 catches, 380 yards, and three touchdowns (Bellinger’s per-game stats carried over to a full 17-game season) from your second, more blocking-focused tight end is more than welcome.

Worst Case Scenario

In a worst-case scenario for Bellinger, the Giants decide that with their improved receiving room, they want to use more 11 and 10 personnel and phase out 12 personnel, which could leave Bellinger with a reduced role.

While there would still obviously be a role for Bellinger as a rotational piece and blocker in running situations, it’s possible that he could be “left behind,” for lack of a better term.

What to Expect in 2023

Even though Waller is in town now, Bellinger should still be a consistent player for the Giants in 2023. The expectation should be for Bellinger to line up attached to the offensive line when the Giants work in 12 personnel with Waller as the flex option.