Where Will Tommy Sweeney Fit in on the Giants' Tight Ends Depth Chart?

Will the addition of blocking tight end Tommy Sweeney result in an improved rushing offense?

Author:
Gene Clemons
Publish date:
Jul 10, 2023 10:00 AM EDT

In this story:

Tommy Sweeney, Tight End

Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 260 pounds
2022 Stats: GP: 5 GS: 0, one reception, seven yards

The Buffalo Bills drafted tight end Tommy Sweeney in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He played for current New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen when both were in Buffalo, Daboll as the offensive coordinator, Schoen as the assistant general manager.

Sweeney logged 24 games over two seasons with the Bills, recording 18 receptions for 165 yards and a touchdown. He missed the 2020 season due to injury but returned in 2021 and had a breakout season, playing in 13 games with three starts and recording nine receptions for 44 yards.

Sweeney is primarily a run blocker and saw his usage on the offense drastically diminish in 2022 as the Bills moved away from using tight ends.

To create a more diverse and dynamic tight end group in 2023, the Giants signed Sweeney, who should be familiar with the offense. Sweeney will likely operate as a legitimate blocking tight end for the team that has Darren Waller as its top tight end but who is primarily a pass catcher.

Last season's starting tight end, Daniel Bellinger, is a combo guy who can be an effective pass catcher and run blocker, but he's not a true difference-maker as a run blocker. However, Bellinger does fit well as a second tight end as a receiver and blocker.

Sweeney? He can be the primary blocking end coupled with one of those other receiving ends making for a potentially improved running game and a more effective play-action game.

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Best Case Scenario

The best-case scenario for Sweeney and the Giants is that he is highly effective as a run blocker. The best chance for success for the Giants this season is to continue to be one of the best-rushing offenses in the NFL.

Sweeney's helping the rush offense continue to improve only means more ball control and time management for the team. The more they need to play catchup, the less Sweeney will be on the field.

If they have a lead in the fourth quarter, expect high usage for Sweeney. That also means they can keep Waller healthier because he won't be needed to play as many snaps.

Worst Case Scenario

Given all of these new receiving weapons the Giants acquired, that could signal a switch in philosophy, similar to the Bills' transformation in 2022. If true, this would be a bad sign for Sweeney because he is not a weapon as a pass receiver.

The Giants have several other more effective options as pass-receiving tight ends who can also be special teamers and adequate blockers when needed. With all of the new receiving options, the Giants may want to see how to get them all on the field simultaneously, and that would mean little to no snaps for Sweeney.

What to Expect in 2023

It would be difficult to ask Daniel Jones to be Josh Allen in Year 2 of Daboll's offense, but clearly, the team wants him trending that way. Allen took a significant leap in his second year in Daboll's offense, which also meant less traditional rushing.

Waller's presence, mixed with the other receivers, could force the Giants to spread the ball around in the passing game. There is also the unknown surrounding Saquon Barkley because if, for some reason, his role diminishes in this revisioned offense, Sweeney's potential role would shrink as well.

Likely, the answer is somewhere in the middle. There will be games where Sweeney's services are needed more than others.