Stefon Diggs? Nope — let’s try some under-the-radar names
The New York Giants are gearing up for a busy off-season. NFL free agency officially opens on Wednesday, March 12th, but the unofficial “tampering” period begins on Monday, the 10th of March. The Giants have an estimated $43.4 million in total salary cap space for 2025 and $32.1 million in effective cap space based on a projected league cap of $272.5 million.
There are roster holes and critical vulnerabilities that will require attention, but the potential loss of Darius Slayton opens up room for possible depth at wide receiver. I am open to retaining Slayton, but his market value is high; his average annual salary is $15.8 million, and his three-year total value is $47.3 million, according to Spotrac.
The 28-year-old may pursue other options, and the Giants have Jalin Hyatt waiting to earn more snaps as a 23-year-old entering his third season as a professional. Both returners Gunner Olszewski and Ihmir Smith-Marsette are free agents.
Bryce Ford-Wheaton is the only wide receiver on the depth chart outside of Hyatt, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Malik Nabers. Montrell Washington was signed to a futures contract as well. If the Rams release Cooper Kupp, his name will be monitored closely as discussions between the Giants and quarterback Matt Stafford continue to heat up.
Wide receiver is not the Giants’ most significant need, but it’s a need nonetheless. Here are five potential targets who may fit what the Giants do offensively.
Mack Hollins, BUF
The enigmatic Hollins is a 6-foot-4, 225-pound 31-year-old receiver who spent last season with the Buffalo Bills. He’s known as one of the more physical and dominant blocking wide receivers in the NFL. Hollins is coming off a career year where he caught 36 of 56 targets for 482 yards with six touchdowns.
He was a fourth-round pick out of North Carolina for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017. The Giants’ current wide receiver coach, Mike Groh, had that same role with the Eagles in 2017. Groh was promoted to offensive coordinator for the 2018-2019 season. Hollins missed the 2018 season with a groin injury, and he was unexpectedly released in 2019.
The Hollins-Groh connection had an unceremonious ending, possibly affecting Hollins’ desire to play for the Giants. However, there’s still conjecture about the story. After Hollins was released, Groh said, “That part of the game or the business is not fun,” and “I think there are a number of factors when you make a roster decision.” But Groh then followed up with this:
“I think in every season there are tough decisions that have to be made. I think it was a decision in terms of what’s in the best interest of the Philadelphia Eagles that can help us win right now. Beyond that, you have to ask Doug and Howie in terms of that stuff.”
Groh also expressed respect for Hollins. I’m unsure how Hollins felt—or still feels—about the situation from more than six years ago. If the relationship is not fractured, this marriage would make a lot of sense. Hollins’ market value is just $2.4 million, and the presence he would offer the Giants’ rushing attack would give Daboll more confidence and flexibility to run the football effectively out of 11 personnel.
Mike Williams, PIT
Not long ago, Big Mike Williams was one of the NFL’s top contested catch wide receivers. He’s a 6-4, 220-pound elite leaper who is getting long in the tooth. The 30-year-old has dealt with plenty of injuries throughout his career. He most recently tore his ACL to end his 2023 season and signed with the New York Jets after his subsequent release from the Chargers.
Williams did little with the Jets as he recovered from the major knee injury. He caught just 12 of 21 passes for 166 scoreless yards. He struggled to create separation or have an impact. The Steelers traded a fifth-round pick for Williams, and the big target did little for Russell Wilson; he caught 15 targets for 169 yards with on touchdown.
The primary question with Williams comes down to his 2024 play: did he struggle one year removed from the ACL tear, or is he over the hill now north of 30? It’s tough to tell. Williams did secure seven of his 10 contested catches in 2024, but his yards per route run with a terrible 0.96 yards.
It’s plausible that Williams isn’t quite done but struggled due to his recovery; this is common one year removed from injury. Only once did Williams finish with a sub-50% contested catch rate. He would provide the Giants with much-needed size for the position, and he wouldn’t have to be significantly relied upon.
His Spotrac market value is a one-year $4.5 million contract. It depends on the market, but he could be had for cheaper. If so, this is a player I’m willing to roll the dice on for his role, the price, and the ability to secure a veteran wide receiver who does thrive in one-on-one downfield situations, which he would see plenty of playing opposite Malik Nabers.
Josh Palmer, LAC
Not to go after another former Los Angeles Charger, but the 25-year-old impressed me at Tennessee but has underwhelmed through his first four NFL seasons. He’s caught 184 of 271 passes for 2,318 yards and 10 touchdowns, with a yards-per-route run of 1.37 and a contested catch rate of 46.9%.
His numbers don’t jump out, but Palmer’s disappointing nature was his inability to seize the day when veteran receivers like Big Mike Williams and Keenan Allen were injured. He has an impressive 6-2, 210-pound frame and is very young. I believe there is enough potential to buy in at a cheap value; Spotrac has an average annual value of just $4.3 million over three years ($12.8 million).
Zach Pascal, ARI
Pascal is another big-bodied blocking wide receiver with ties to Mike Groh. Pascal is a 6-2, 215-pound receiver who does all the dirty work in the running game. Groh was Pascal’s wide receiver coach with the Colts for two seasons. Pascal has 169 catches for 2,057 yards with 16 touchdowns since he entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2017.
This contract would be vet-minimum, and Pascal may have an uphill battle to make the roster. The 30-year-old spent the past two seasons in Arizona, starting just one game. Over the last three seasons (2022 with Philadelphia), he’s caught 19 balls on 34 targets for 169 yards with one touchdown.
Pascal’s presence on the roster would not be due to his receiving skills, per se. It would be blocking and special teams’ upside. Pascal thrived as a special teams player with the Eagles in 2022 and was one of the corp assets for the Cardinals on special teams over the past two seasons. It’s an uninspiring name, but one that could help two critical aspects of the game.
K.J. Osborn, NE/WAS
The 5-11, 205-pound wide receiver was the third wheel in Minnesota from 2021 through 2023 after not playing in his rookie season of 2020. Osborn became a reliable third wide receiver option behind Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, but then he signed with the New England Patriots last off-season and hardly saw production.
The Washington Commanders signed him at the end of the season, but his 2024 campaign as a 27-year-old wide receiver was uneventful. Osborn is now a free agent with a Spotrac market value of $2.4 million; he’s projected to land a one-year prove-it deal.
Osborn doesn’t exactly move the needle, but he’s produced in his career. He’s caught 167 of 252 targets for 1,922 yards with 17 touchdown grabs. He only caught seven of 17 targets for 57 yards and a score this past season. If the Giants target Osborn, he would not be guaranteed a roster spot, but could add valuable depth who can play inside or outside.
