And, well, not many believed that Jason Garrett, the Giants' offensive coordinator who was eventually fired midseason, could do it.

But Toney's rookie year was the definition of a roller coaster, though there is still much optimism surrounding No. 89. Let's take a look at what he accomplished, and more importantly, what his impact can be in 2022 and beyond...

Slow Start

On paper, the Giants didn't necessarily need a receiver that early in the draft. They had just added Kenny Golladay and still had Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton. Maybe adding someone in the mid-to-late rounds would've done the trick.

But the Giants clearly saw the effects that Toney could have on the field and they made the play for him. Unfortunately, though, Toney's Giants career started very slowly.

He contracted COVID-19 that hurt him during training camp and didn't allow him to get ready for the season with the rest of the group. Even when he returned, it was a methodic play to make sure he was 100 percent. He didn't play in a single preseason game, but was able to suit up for his debut -- though it wasn't one to remember.

Toney got just two targets for minus-two yards against the Denver Broncos in Week 1, playing only five offensive snaps and then didn't see a target in 19 offensive snaps (28 percent) in Week 2 against the Washington Football Team. Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons wasn't much better, either. He had two catches on three targets for 16 yards, although playing 66 percent of snaps was a step in the right direction.

Still, through the first three weeks, the team's first-round pick was barely used on offense and the Giants were 0-3. Fans were grumbling, with some saying Toney wasn't the right move.

NOLA and Dallas Coming Out Party

But then the Giants traveled to New Orleans to face the Saints in Week 4. They'd catch their first victory in an overtime thriller, and Toney was a main reason why the offense finally saw some scoring.

He had six catches on nine targets -- all career-highs to that point -- and probably had the most insane first down in Giants history (or recent history).

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