They are counting on new and better quarterbacks to improve their passing game, but the New York Giants could also get a similar boost from an “X factor” who wants a bigger role on offense in 2025.
It’s the target being set by lethal kick returner Ihmir Smith-Marsette. He declared, “I feel like I’m ready to play offense in the big leagues. I love the guys in front of me, but we all play the game for a reason and we all want to be that guy. My goal is to perform at the highest level I can and show the world I’m able to play receiver at the NFL level,” per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post.
This is an ambitious target for Smith-Marsette, but not an unrealistic one, despite his limited experience and production as a wide receiver. His numbers amount to “five teams in five seasons and totaling 14 catches for 182 yards and two touchdowns.”
There is a space for another legitimate big play and after-catch threat to emerge alongside the Giants’ undisputed No. 1 receiver, 2024 rookie sensation Malik Nabers, although competition for that spot is crowded and intense.
Smith-Marsette isn’t an obvious candidate for the role, but if the Giants can find ways to get him the ball quickly, the 25-year-old can make an impact on offense, just like he has for special teams.
Giants Should Have New Plan for Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Any player with Smith-Marsette’s track speed and open-field skills can be a threat with the right plays designed to bring out those traits. The onus is on Giants head coach Brian Daboll, offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and receivers coach Mike Groh coming up with a plan to unleash Smith-Marsette.
Their strategy should be tailored to heavy involvement in the screen game. It’s the best way to quickly get the ball to Smith-Marsette with room to run behind a convoy of blockers.
Multiple ways exist for the Giants to recreate the same thing on offense. Even something as simple as this reverse Smith-Marsette ran for the Carolina Panthers in 2023 would work.
The Giants have wanted incumbent slot receiver Wan’Dale Robinson to be their go-to weapon for screens and jet sweeps, but he “wants more opportunities to make plays downfield,” per Dan Duggan of The Athletic.
Smith-Marsette could take on Robinson’s old workload and increase the “just seven offensive snaps” Dunleavy noted he played last season, while “Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson mostly stayed healthy — especially compared to the rest of an injury-plagued roster — and logged more than 800 snaps apiece.”
There are two good reasons why Smith-Marsette can get more work. First, because he was establishing a rapport with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart earlier this offseason, evidenced by this rep highlighted by SNY.tv’s Giants Videos.
The Giants traded up to select Dart in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft hoping he’ll become a franchise quarterback. While he’ll likely start on the bench behind veteran Russell Wilson, Dart will spend most of his early development practicing with backup receivers like Smith-Marsette, a rapport they could take onto the field in the future.
Another reason Smith-Marsette can earn the larger role he craves is because of an underrated addition to the coaching staff.
New Giants Staff Member Will Be Key for Ihmir Smith-Marsette
When the Giants hired New England Patriots hall of famer Troy Brown to the staff they acquired the expertise of a dangerous returner who became a No. 1 receiver. Making the same leap may be a bridge too far for Smith-Marsette, but he should find Brown an invaluable resource.
One thing Brown can do is work with the already gifted returner to take advantage of one of the NFL’s latest rule changes. As Dunleavy explained, “the NFL tweaked its kickoff rule again this offseason to increase returns. Starting field position after a touchback is now the 35-yard line — up from the 30 — as more of a deterrent for kicking teams to create an action-less play.”
The change to the rules presents a huge advantage for a player capable of producing this memorable 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts last season.
Smith-Marsette is understandably keen to attack kick coverage more often, exclaiming, “now they have to kick it to me and see if they can stop me, so let’s do it. I’m so excited. The more times I can get my hands on the ball, the more times the game might be changed.”
The talent and desire to change games with one return is why the Giants made it a priority to re-sign Smith-Marsette instead of All-Pro Gunner Olszewski in free agency.
His prowess as a returner, as well as the surprising and creative way the Giants used him on scout teams, means Smith-Marsette will still have an important role. It just might not be the one the fifth-year pro wants to play.
Not when Nabers, Robinson, Darius Slayton, Jalin Hyatt and more than one undrafted rookie wideout are around to take catches away from Smith-Marsette.
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