Giants have a lot of work to get done
New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen promised at his season-ending press conference that he would not make any self-preservative moves this offseason that could be viewed as “Hail Mary’s.”
He did not, though, promise not to take some big swings in an effort to reverse the fortunes of the Giants, 9-25 over the past two seasons.
Schoen previewed that willingness to try and go big this offseason with his pursuit of veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, who ultimately chose to stay with the Los Angeles Rams.
Free agency begins in just a few days, with the negotiating window opening on Monday, March 10. The official signing period follows two days later. The Giants, per Over The Cap, currently have $47.847 million to spend under a $279.2 million salary cap. That is 12th-most in the league.
“We’ve got to be better. We’ve got to be better. We’re a three-win team,” Schoen said at the Combine. “Where we are financially, from a salary capital standpoint, we’re in good shape … not suffocating. We have the resources to improve the roster.
“We made some decisions after that first year when we won, and they didn’t work out. Again, we’re where we are. Again, I feel like we have the resources to improve the roster.”
Let’s look at the areas where Schoen could be expected to go big in free agency.
Quarterback … of course
The Giants need to take a big swing at quarterback this offseason. Argue about the quality, or lack thereof, of what is available both in free agency or the draft if you want, but co-owner John Mara made that clear in January.
“Obviously the number one issue for us going into this offseason, is to find our quarterback of the future. Whether that be via the draft or acquiring a veteran,” Mara said.
The Giants swung and missed at Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams. They make take the Aaron Rodgers plunge. They may trade up for Cam Ward in the draft. There may be a move or two we haven’t even fully considered.
We have already written volumes this offseason about the quarterback search. Here is some of that coverage:
- New York Giants’ QB search: Everything we know about pursuit of a veteran quarterback
- Sam Darnold might be available to New York Giants … or he might not be
- New York Giants want a veteran mentor QB — who fits the description?
- New York Giants free agency primer: 5 quarterbacks to consider
- New York Giants free agency: What to like, not like, about QB Russell Wilson
- New York Giants free agency: What to like, not like, about QB Jameis Winston
- New York Giants free agency: What to like, not like, about QB Justin Fields
- 2025 NFL free agency: What to like, not like, about QB Sam Darnold
Guard
At the Combine, Schoen the belief that four-fifths of his starting offensive line is already in place. That is left tackle Andrew Thomas, left guard, Jon Runyan Jr., center John Michael Schmitz, right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor.
“Right guard’s a spot that’s open, and we’ll talk about is the answer somebody on the roster, or do we need to look outside for that,” Schoen said.
Greg Van Roten was the Giants’ starting right guard in 2024, and played well. The 35-year-old is a free agent, though, and the Giants seem inclined to look for a younger, more long-term answer.
The Giants have internal options Jake Kubas, Josh Ezeudu and — if they choose to try him at guard — Evan Neal, who could compete at the position.
The Giants are said to be “lurking” on the free agent guard market.
Trey Smith is off the market, with the Kansas City Chiefs having used the franchise tag to keep him.
The Chicago Bears have pretty much taken themselves out of the free agent guard market, trading for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson in recent days.
Will Fries of the Indianapolis Colts might be the best guard on the market. The 27-year-old four-year veteran has a market value of four years, $57.25 million, per Pro Football Focus.
Other guard possibilities include Teven Jenkins of the Chicago Bears, Mekhi Becton of the Philadelphia Eagles, Aaron Banks of the San Francisco 49ers and former Giant Will Hernandez, now with the Arizona Cardinals.
Cornerback
Deonte Banks’ play last season that he wasn’t ready for the responsibility of being a No. 1 cornerback. His lapses in effort showed that the 2023 first-round pick could benefit from having a real veteran mentor in the cornerback room.
The Giants did have Adoree’ Jackson, but he didn’t really fill that mentor role and is unlikely to be back. They have a quality slot cornerback in Dru Phillips and a capable player in Cor’Dale Flott whose best role might be as a fourth cornerback filling in both inside and outside.
New York went 10 games without an interception last season, and Giants defensive backs had only four interceptions for the season.
The Giants need an upgrade at the position and, while there are several intriguing players who could be selected on Day 2 of the draft, this seems like a position where the Giants should spend the money to bring in an experienced player.
Charvarius Ward of the San Francisco 49ers has often been connected to the Giants. His market value per Spotrac is $45.8 million over three years.
ESPN believes D.J. Reed, most recently of the New York Jets, would fit the Giants at a cost of $72 million over four years.
Carlton Davis of the Detroit Lions (three years, $41 million market value, per Spotrac) is another possibility.
If the Giants want to go for a younger player with upside, 26-year-old Paulson Adebo of the New Orleans Saints might be available. Spotrac projects Adebo’s value at two years, $22.2 million.
Spending philosophy
Schoen is well aware that the Giants are one of only two NFL teams who have zero contracts that include void years. He is also well aware that the Giants compete in a division with the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, whose GM, Howie Roseman, uses contract void years and pushes money into the future more aggressively than any other GM in the sport.
Speaking at the Combine, Schoen seemed open to the idea of using void years in an effort to improve the current roster.
“I think there’s a time and place for that, and you’ve got to look at it. There’s a lot of teams that are doing it,” Schoen said. “You’ve got to look at it, especially depending on whatever moves we make over the next couple of weeks, that may be an option.
“The Mara family, Tisch family, they’ve been great with … anything we’ve needed they’ve supported it.”
With his back up against the wall, now has to be the time for Schoen to be willing to push some money into the future in an effort to improve the present.
Creating more cap space
Forty-eight million dollars might not go as far in the free agent market as you might think. So, how can the Giants create more space.
Cuts
- Cutting placekicker Graham Gano would save $3.165 million.
- Cutting defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches would save $3.6 million.
- Cutting Bobby Okereke, a surprising possibility that emerged this week, would save $3.5 million but leave a $10.9 million dead money hit as a pre-June 1 cut. As a post-June 1 cut, the Giants could save $9 million on the cap with a $5.4 million dead money hit.
Restructures
Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence and Andre Thomas are the team’s highest-paid players.
Per the Over The Cap salary cap calculator, a max restructure for Burns would save $16.1 million, a max restructure for Lawrence would save $9.8 million and a max restructure for Thomas would save $12.5 million.
Max restructures for Okereke and offensive lineman Jon Runyan would save $3.9 and $4 million, respectively.
Taking care of their own?
There are four 2024 start-caliber players among the Giants’ unrestricted free agents, not including punter Jamie Gillan. Those are wide receiver Darius Slayton, guard Greg Van Roten, edge Azeez Ojulari and safety Jason Pinnock.
After six seasons with the Giants, Slayton seems ready to move on.
Schoen indicated at the Combine that right guard was open, likely signifying that the Giants expect to replace the 35-year-old Van Roten.
Pinnock did not seem like a fit for Shane Bowen’s defense, so perhaps the Giants will look elsewhere for a safety next to Tyler Nubin.
The Giants would like to keep Ojulari, but pass rushers get paid so he may be priced out of their budget.
Unrestricted free agents
Edge Patrick Johnson
S Jason Pinnock
CB Greg Stroman
KR/WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
KR/WR Gunner Olszewski
LB Ty Summers
DT Armon Watts
QB Tim Boyle
S Elijah Riley
OT Chris Hubbard
LB Matthew Adams
G Aaron Stinnie
LS Casey Kreiter [re-signed with Giants]
TE Chris Manhertz
Edge Azeez Ojulari
CB Adoree’ Jackson
G Greg Van Roten
P Jamie Gillan
LB Isaiah Simmons
QB Drew Lock
WR Darius Slayton
