The New York Giants ended the previous season with a 9-8 record, just losing out on a playoff spot. They were tied with the Cowboys for the division, but due to the Cowboys beating the Giants twice, they won the tiebreaker. They took a huge leap from season one to season two and hope that season 3 is their year to make the playoffs. This all starts with the offseason. The big ticket item that the Giants had on their agenda was releasing the 40 million dollar mistake that was Daniel Jones. Once he was released and their cap situation was fixed, the offseason officially began.
Resigns:
LOLB Azeez Ojulari 83 OVR
Ojulari will be a cornerstone of the pass rushing core for the rest of the cycle. He asked for a lot but took the first offer we gave him because he wanted to play on the same team as his brother.
HB Saquon Barkley 93 OVR
With regression in the league at an all time high, and with it being the worst for running backs, Barkley decided to take a team friendly offer. He had high interest in the team and wanted to remain for the cycle. His regression lost him 2 speed, however, he gained 1 right back. He is looking to have his best season yet, hoping that it will make up for a regression that sets in.
Pre Draft Free Agent Pickups:
RE DeMarcus Lawrence 86 OVR
With Von Miller retiring and Daniel Jones not being on the roster anymore, the Giants had 40 million in cap space to deal with. Miller was due to make over 20 Million this season, so that money going to the best defensive end in the free agent class makes the most sense. Lawrence will pair well with the other Giant pass rushers in order to fix up a pass defense and make it more comparable to the run defense from last season.
CB Avonte Maddox 78 OVR
Aaron Robinson was lost due to free agency so another slot corner was needed on the roster. Maddox was a player that Coach Burn tried to trade for but the asking price was too much. He did not regress this offseason and his speed, acceleration, and change of direction will be perfect for this defense.
C Josh Myers 76 OVR
C Ryan Bates 75 OVR
Myers and Bates were both brought in to compete for the fifth starting spot on the offensive line. Myers is getting the spot, with Bates as the first alternate. Myers is average and could use some work, however, his impact and lead block are both above average and will be very useful.
DT David Onyemata 74 OVR
He was brought in to backup Dexter Lawrence. He will be competing for a starting spot, however, with Lawrence and Bashem on the roster it will be a tough task.
WR Darius Slayton 80 OVR
Slayton initially did not accept the offer the Giants gave him, instead opting to go to free agency. He didn’t like the market so he opted to come back to the Giants which gives them a good mix of the same type of receiver just in case someone gets hurt.
Post Draft Free Agent Pickups
WR Diontae Johnson 83 OVR
Calvin Ridley and Diontae Johnson were the best receivers left in free agency after the draft. We tried to sign Ridley but he was taken by the Patriots at the same time. Johnson was the next best option and he brings something different to the roster. The rest of the receiving core are a type of speedster, however, Johnson is a slower guy who can beat the press and get open versus most corners. With him on the roster, the pressing every down that the Giants faced often last season will be seen much less.
HB Aaron Jones 84 OVR
Jones was let go by the Packers after he regressed this offseason. Although he regressed, he is still a good running back, however, with our running back skill tree, it takes him back to a semblance of who he was last season. He will be a great backup for Saquon Barkely, and he lets Gray line up more as a receiver.
LE Za’darius Smith 82 OVR
Smith was another very good free agent pickup, who blosters a already strong pass rushing core. Smith will provide the Giants with a strong option for a backup, who can rotate with the other pass rushers and they won’t miss a beat.
TE OJ Howard 73 OVR
Howard might be a little on the older side, but he was a great option for a team that didn’t draft any tight ends in the draft. Each player the Giants targeted at the tight end position ended up being taken so they opted to wait for free agency. Howard was sitting there and will back up Waller this season.
The Giants had some great free agent pickups, who should do well for them this season. In the next article we will talk about who they picked up in the draft.
