Here are some steps the Giants might want to take as they enter free agency under their new regime.
There won't be any free-agency "splash" created by the New York Giants this off-season, and not just because the team is so strapped for salary cap space.
Instead, the Giants, under first-year general manager Joe Schönen, plan to take a systematic approach to recovering a roster that finished last year 4-13 under the weight of a rash of injuries, head The scratchy coaching decision was an aggressive plan to not take full advantage of the good that the players did.
So as Schoen, assistant manager Brandon Brown, head coach Brian Dabol and the rest of the decision-makers prepare for the start of a season of roster rebuilding, it is important to remember that the Lombardi trophies have never been won in the off-season. Free agency is not about how many people a team brings in. It's not about taking off the "name brand" athletes of the world.
And unless a team is one or two players away from scoring a run, it shouldn't be as much about the "now" as it should be about the future, which means smart teams should be at least three years away from their goals. Plans a salary cap. Road to accommodate future transactions such as contract extensions and the unexpected.
It's about fitting into both the plans of the team's locker room and the coaching staff. And if the Giants' three coordinators did what they're being paid to do, they came up with a wish list of player types (not necessarily names) for Sean and the front office to find for the team.
What else can giants do to crush free agency? let's take a look.
1. Do not tender any of their RFAs.
Three Giants players are set to be restricted free agents (RFA): fullback Cullen Glaspia, safety Joshua Kalu and safety Steven Parker. With the lowest (right of first refusal) tender set at $2.4 million, there is zero chance of any of those three receiving the tender, and neither should they.
The Giants pursued Glaspia as the second fullback to value their special teams, a move that was not the best use of backwards salary cap funds. Kalu tore his pectorals in pre-season, and Parker was an occasional fill-in who, if the team wants back, could possibly make for a seasoned minimalist sort of deal.
2. Don't go crazy with the tender ERFA.
The Giants' exclusive rights free agents include security JR Reed, quarterback Jake Fromm, guard Kyle Murphy, receiver David Sills V and cornerback Jaren Williams. Under normal circumstances, a reserve/futures contract for each wouldn't be a bad idea, but those contracts can add up to a team that needs to be really selective about how it spends whatever cap money it can scrape together does.
So far, it seems the giants have taken this approach. They have signed SILS to a reserve/futures contract, but not others, which one would have thought would have been done by now. Considering the others weren't signed, it could very well indicate that the Giants are planning on moving on from them, which is understandable.
3. Let most unrestricted free agents run.
The Giants have 22 players who are set to become unrestricted free agents: offensive lineman Nate Solder (tackle), Will Hernandez (guard), Corey Cunningham (tackle); Billy Price (center) and Matt Skura (interior); defensive linemen Austin Johnson and Danny Shelton; Tight ends to Evan Engram and Levin Tololo; Safari Jabril Peppers and Nate Ebner; Receivers John Ross, Dante Pettis, and C.J. Board, guard Will Hernandez; quarterback Mike Glennon; defensive back Keon Crossan; Fullback Allie Penney; Long Snapper Casey Crater; Inside linebackers Benardrick McKinney, Reggie Ragland, and Jaylon Smith; and outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter.
Of those 22, one could make a case for Price as a backup guard/center, although having John Feliciano released by the Bills it probably wouldn't be a stretch to say he would be a more attractive alternative to Dabol and shown
A case can also be made for Board and Crater (for special teams) and Jaylon Smith (depth). Some might argue that Carter deserves another chance, but this draft class is so deep into the edge rushers that the Giants may be better off using the money they would have otherwise spent on Carter elsewhere.
I mentioned Smith because I didn't think he played so poorly in limited fixtures last year. With Blake Martinez now confirmed to be back after accepting a pay cut, Martinez, an inside linebacker group of Smith, Tae Crowder, and either draft pick or Carter Coughlin (if healthy) could well do the job. Is.
Engram, despite all his warts—and he has a lot—is another guy who I think will benefit from the new system that's expected to merge the best of what Kansas City and Buffalo have to offer. That said, Engram will not only have a decent market for its services, both sides will probably need a fresh start from each other (plus, it looks like the draft will have enough value on Days 2 and 3. The teams are looking for tight ends).
Again, Giants need to be prudent with their spending. But even if his cap situation was much healthier, it's doubtful he'll bring his soon-to-be UFA back anyway.
4. Get a solid backup quarterback.
No, it probably won't be Michelle Trubisky. But the backup quarterback needs to meet certain criteria. One, ideally, would have a lot of games logged as a starter with a winning record or as close to a .500 record as possible. Two, he must have a strong hand and sufficient mobility. And third, its price tag should be reasonable.
Therein lies the challenge. Finding the person to provide the first two points may prevent him from meeting Criterion Three. But if you're the Giants, you offer the guy a contract that includes an incentive for play time (which he'll accrue given Daniel Jones' injury history so far), and you can make it one day. it is said.
Raiders' Marcus Mariota might be a name to watch, assuming the Colts don't go all out to take Carson Wentz away after him. Mariota is coming off a year in which his contract was revised at a cost of just $3.5 million, so the Giants might just give him a similar type of deal (minus the no-trade clause) and the aforementioned game time incentives. Throw in what could potentially increase the value of the deal.
Another man I won't be chasing the Giants is Jacoby Brissette, who is 14-23 as a starter, but who would meet most of the criteria I mentioned. Brissette should be able to push Jones a bit in terms of competition, which Jones doesn't really have until now. And if injury causes Jones to lose time again this season, Brissette should be able to put things down for a game or two.
5. Offensive Line, Offensive Line, Offensive Line!
The offensive line is an obvious need, so much so that it is safe to say that this entity will be addressed through free agency and drafting.
The Giants signed offensive tackle Matt Gono to a contract whose terms are not yet known as of this writing. It's a start, but it's not nearly enough. And although this coming-of-draft class is said to be darker for offensive linemen, the Giants need to strike a mix between veterans and rookies for their revised offensive line.
Ideally, his new offensive line would include a veteran in the center, a young right off the draft; at least one veteran guard (former Bills guard John Feliciano might be a name to watch); and an experienced center to streamline the entire operation, such as 26-year-old Brian Allen of the Rams, who per Spottrack has a calculated market value of $5.4 million per year based on a five-year, $27.141 million contract.
But with news of the Bills' release of Daryl Williams to deal with, can the Giants spend there, or will they instead think long-term and go with a draft prospect? What they do in these next few days could reveal a lot about their plans for the offensive line.
6. Don't rush into free agency
Ever since the legal loophole period began, there has always been some frenzy by teams to take down top free agents. However, the Giants can't afford to be on one of these teams, not just because they don't have the money, but because sometimes signing big names over big money isn't always the best strategy.
Remember, football is a team game. And if a team ends up with five people, who account for about 50 percent of their salary cap, still fail to match up with production (the position they did before slashing some of the fat from their cap). position), it's just not a good strategy.
And if that's not enough to convince you that rushing into free agency is unwise, remember that there's no such thing as winning the off-season; Teams that are slow and steady in roster-building are usually in contention for Lombardy.