Charvarius Ward? Stefon Diggs? Trey Smith?
With the East-West Shrine Bowl wrapping up on Thursday and the Senior Bowl in full swing, the focus right now is on the 2025 NFL Draft. Free agency comes first, though, and what happens there will help shape the draft for the New York Giants and the 31 other NFL teams.
With that in mind, ESPN on Wednesday released its list of the top 50 free agents (Subscriber only) along with some thoughts on potential landing spots and price tags.
G Trey Smith (No. 2)
I wrote on Wednesday morning that if the Giants want to take a big swing on the offensive line in free agency, Smith is the perfect candidate. He is still young, and plays the position (right guard) that seems to currently have an opening.
The price tag, of course, might be too high. Pro Football Focus estimates a market value of four years, $82 million ($50 million guaranteed). Spotrac checks in with a similar four-year, $48.8 million estimated value.
ESPN expects the Chicago Bears to be major players for Smith.
QB Sam Darnold (No. 6)
This is not a move a favor, but signing Darnold might be one the Giants feel compelled to make. PFF estimates a three-year, $123.75 million deal for Darnold with $70 million guaranteed. Spotrac projects a familiar number for Giants fans — four years, $160 million.
CB Charvarius Ward (No. 8)
PFF believes the Giants are the best landing spot for the 28-year-old:
Ward’s overall body of work speaks for itself, as he has posted strong 80.0-plus grades in both 2022 and 2023, showcasing his reliability as a top-tier cornerback.
The Giants’ secondary desperately needs reinforcements after finishing 26th in team coverage grade last season. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen’s heavy use of Cover-3 (35.6%, eighth-highest in 2024) aligns well with Ward’s strengths. Over his career, he’s allowed just 0.83 yards per coverage snap in Cover-3, making him an ideal candidate to help revitalize New York’s defensive backfield.
PFF’s estimated market value for Ward is three years, $43.5 million ($25 million guaranteed). Spotrac pegs his value at three years, $45.8 million.
S Tre’von Moehrig (No. 13)
ESPN says the 26-year-old “has the range to play from depth, and he is a tone-setter on contact when he spins down into the front.”
The Giants could use that.
Would it be worth PFF’s estimated market value of four years, $60 million ($35 million guaranteed) to GM Joe Schoen? Probably not.
DT Milton Williams (No. 16)
Williams, of the Philadelphia Eagles, is a player we have discussed.
PFF estimates his market value at three years, $63 million ($37.5 million guaranteed).
S Talanoa Hufanga (No. 22)
This is another player we have talked about. He is just 26, and might fit a team like the Giants that is looking toward the future. His PFF estimated market value is two years, $25 million ($16 million guaranteed).
WRs Stefon Diggs (No. 26) and Darius Slayton (No. 36)
ESPN thinks Slayton could command a deal of around three years, $39 million. PFF estimates 3/37.5 million with $25 million guaranteed.
Diggs is 31 and coming off a torn ACL. PFF estimates his market value at one-year, $16 million, with Spotrac putting the value at one-year, $13.5 million.
Would you rather have three years of Slayton at that cost, or one year of Diggs?
Personally, I will take the one year of Diggs, who had four straight 100+ reception seasons playing in Brian Daboll’s offense with the Buffalo Bills. Slayton is good. He has never been as good as Diggs.
Considering the pressure on Daboll and Schoen in 2025, I think they might opt for Diggs, too.
QBs Justin Fields (No. 32) and Russell Wilson (No. 42)
Which one will be available to the Giants? We also discussed this possibility recently. If the choice is Wilson for two years and $70 million ($40 million guaranteed) or Fields for one year and $11 million (all guaranteed) I think it’s a no-brainer that you take Fields. Of course, which one is available is up to the Steelers.
CB Paulson Adebo (No. 44)
ESPN says “multiple teams consider Adebo a top-three corner in the free agency class based on ability and upside.”
PFF sees a three-year, $40 million contract ($25 million guaranteed) for the 25-year-old. I wouldn’t mind the Giants taking a chance on Adebo.
