The Giants’ 2021 Season was their fifth consecutive without Playoffs and with a losing record. Multiple changes in the staff have been made for the coming campaign, and if they intend to give the organization a more than necessary turn, the first step is to take advantage of every last penny available in free agency, because only then will they cut ground within the NFC East. Here’s what you need to know about New York ahead of NFL 2022 Free Agency.
Space against team salary cap
There is a serious problem in New York: to take advantage of every last resource available in the current free agency period, they must first generate the respective means. Via Over The Cap, the Giants are in the red by being $3,720,020 over the salary cap, which is equivalent to the sixth worst number in the NFC and the worst in the NFC East. The front office The team, led by new GM Joe Schoen, has a lot of work to do.
Giants Top Free Agents
- T.E. Evan Engram
- S Jabrill Peppers
- OG Will Hernandez
- OT Nate Solder
- QB Mike Glennon
Evan Engram has been more than helpful to New York since his arrival in 2017, and sadly that’s the problem. Via ProFootballFocus, Engram is projected to be in line for a 2-year, $18 million deal; a figure out of range for some Giants who are currently unable to retain the best tight end on their roster [Actualización del editor: Engram se acaba de ir a los Jaguars].
Less than Engram amount, ProFootballFocus projects that the market for Jabrill Peppers is around a contract for 1 year and 5.5 million dollars; something of a “trial” deal for the East Orange, New Jersey native, who played just six games last season after suffering a torn ACL. However, his departure would not be so painful, because with Logan Ryan and Xavier McKinney, the position has great depth.
For its part, the Giants offensive line could be depleted. Characterized by his blocking effectiveness against the running game, Will Hernandez has started 56 games over four years, and that’s his main backing for landing a respectable multiyear deal. Meanwhile, Nate Solder started 16 games in 2021 because the previous coaching staff had little confidence in OT Matt Peart. However, Solder was the Achilles’ heel of this offensive line and also one of the worst tackles of the previous season.
Finally there is backup QB Mike Glennon, who saw more action last year than the team would have liked due to a serious neck injury to starter Daniel Jones. The Giants can’t afford to have such a low-quality backup at the biggest position in the game; Glennon is a foot and a half off this roster, but who will take his place remains a mystery, as attractive options like Marcus Mariota could fall out of New York’s financial window.
Players who could be traded or cut
Parentheses indicate how much cap space the team would save
- CB James Bradberry ($12.13 million)
- OT Nick Gates ($2.12 million)
- WR Darius Slayton ($2.54 million)
- RB Saquon Barkley (via trade)
James Bradberry has been the face of the Giants’ secondary for the past two years, amassing 7 INTs and 35 passes defensed in 31 starts, yet his salary-cap hit next season will be $12.13 million, second-highest. team quantity second only to DE Leonard Williams. Dispensing with Bradberry could come as a consequence of acquiring young talent via the Draft and, in addition, it would be a healthy move economically.
Meanwhile, while Nick Gates had a splendid 2020, the previous year he suffered a horrific leg fracture that ended his season after just two championship weeks. The mishap was dire, and as a consequence the odds are low that Gates will return in time for the start of next season. That, coupled with New York needing a complete offensive line cleanup, makes Gates an expendable candidate who would save $2.12 million in cap space versus just $879,167 in dead money.
On the offensive side, Darius Slayton had a disappointing 2021. His third year as a pro saw his productivity drop too much, and with Kadarius Toney in the mix, and Sterling Shepard taking a pay cut to stay on the team, Slayton is a wide receiver. receiver who could simply be dispensed with and try to replace him even with a Draft pick on day 3 or later.
Finally, there is the well-known case of Saquon Barkley; team superstar. The narrative would be different if Barkley managed to stay healthy, but after a 2020 where he only participated in two games, last year he failed to regain the level expected of him. Dispensing with his services via court would not have positive repercussions in New York, but Barkley is the perfect candidate to go out in exchange and try to get very interesting assets in return.
Free agents that make sense for the Giants
- T. E. Hayden Hurst
- RB Latavius Murray
- OG Laken Tomlinson
Taking into account the possible departure of Evan Engram, and adding to the situation that the team has already dispensed with the services of TEs Kyle Rudolph and Kaden Smith, the position is extremely depleted. That’s where Hayden Hurst enters the equation; Last year with the Falcons saw his productivity drop with the arrival of Kyle Pitts, but he has proven to be a more than reliable option: in the last two seasons he has accumulated 792 receiving yards and 9 TDs.
Additionally, and regardless of whether or not Barkley remains in the team, a couple of weeks ago the cut of RB2 Devontae Booker was made; An option to buy cheap and add a reliable element is Latavius Murray, who in 2021 exceeded 500 rushing yards, but does not seem to have a place in Baltimore for the following season.
On the subject of urgently needed rebuilding of the offensive line, the 49ers’ Laken Tomlinson would be a great first piece to generate stability. Tomlinson started in all 17 possible games last season, appearing in 1,094 snap offensive and only allowing 2 sacks. According to PFF, his final grade for the season was 76, placing him as the 12th-best offensive tackle in the NFL. Therefore, the addition of him to New York would be ideal to build a decent unit with him as a foundation.
Main needs of the Giants in the NFL Free Agency 2022
- tight end
- linebacker
- offensive line
The tight end position, overnight, became the main need of this team. Without Kyle Rudolph, Kaden Smith, and in the absence of Evan Engram, not only Hayden Hurst is an interesting option. If the organization is looking to fish big, it can’t lose sight of the Packers’ Robert Tonyan, who would instantly solve any problem this unit presents.
Also, another need that might go unnoticed but also needs to be addressed is the linebacking corps. The Giants could lose Lorenzo Carter in the free agency period, and to take the pressure off Azeez Ojulari, a perfect signing would be Haason Reddick from the Panthers, who in the last two years has accumulated 23.5 sacks in 32 games. Reddick is hugely talented and equally expensive, but it’s a world-class move that would change the course of this franchise.
However, the biggest problem is the offensive line, which last year was a complete disaster. The only player who can be considered a starter is LT Andrew Thomas; Outside of that, OG Shane Lemieux or maybe Ben Brederson could be options, but neither has proven to be above average in their short NFL careers. The rest of the unit is totally expendable and an upgrade requirement for New York during the current free agency period.
This is how the Giants arrive at the 2022 NFL Free Agency. How do you think they will face this offseason? We read you in the comments below this article and on our social networks.
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This is how the Giants arrive at NFL 2022 Free Agency