The New York Giants finished the 2023-24 season with a record of 6-11. Out of the seven NFL teams that finished with a record of 6-11 or WORSE, they are one of only of two teams to NOT fire their Head Coach. That’s good news for the Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll, of course. He hopes to rebuild on the success that they had in 2022-23 when they beat the Minnesota Vikings in the playoffs and put this last season far behind in his rear-view mirror. Even though I thought the Giants were one of the biggest train wrecks of the offseason last year, I had still picked them to make the playoffs as a Wild Card team. They signed Quarterback, Daniel Jones to a ridiculous four-year, $160 million extension, who then proceeded to “underachieve”, to put it lightly (two TDs, six INTs, with a Passer Rating of 70.5 and QBR of 36.6), until he was injured during week six and was placed on the IR. And after lengthy contract discussions with starting Running Back, Saquon Barkley, they finally came to a one-year deal that the organization will once again need to deliberate on this off season. Let’s take a downfield read to see who else the Giants should target to re-sign in this free agency.
Offense
Let’s just address the elephant in the room right away. Last year I was an advocate for the Giants to sign Saquon Barkley to a three-year deal. This year…I’m doing that again. Barkly finished 15th in the NFL in rushing yards (962), averaging 3.9 yards per carry, with six touchdowns, and seven rushes for 20+ yards (T6). Guess what the best part of the Giants offense was? Yep. Their running game. New York was 16th in rushing yards, 29th in total yards, 31st in passing yards and 30th in points scored. Saquon is going to begin next season at 28 years old, and I would give him a three-year deal for around $25 million. Just admit that YOU NEED HIM, Giants! That means that the G-Men can get rid of Matt Breida who rushed 55 times for 151 yards (2.7YPC) last season. The Giants can also let go of quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who was mediocre at best and will be 35 years old to start next season. Wide Receivers Parris Cambell dropped off the map after coming over from the Indianapolis Colts (WOW!), and Sterling Shepard has been a disappointment for the last three years. WR Gunner Olszewski is a good return man, but he’s not a “Must Re-Sign”. He’s someone to think about though.
The O-line for New York gets tricky. At Left Guard, Shane Lemieux and Wyatt Davis (who both ended last season on the IR) are both free agents, with starting LG Justin Pugh coming into next season at 34 years old. New York might want to re-sign Lemieux or Davis, but neither has played enough to determine who that should be. The Giants have their starting Center in John Michael Schmitz so they can let J.C. Hassenauer (who also ended on the IR) walk. The only other “Must Re-Sign” player on the offense besides Barkley is Right Guard, Ben Bredeson. He’s only 26 years old and has proven himself, getting better and better over the last three seasons. I would lock him in on a four-year contract. At Right Tackle, the Giants can let Matt Peart go. Evan Neal is your starter, and you also have Tyre Philiips; they’re both “head and shoulders” above Peart.
Defense
The New York Giants are going to have a new Defensive Coordinator next year, as Don “Wink” Martindale resigned after last season ** as Giants fans everywhere applaud**. Despite ranking 29th in team sacks, the Giants were 19th in passing yards allowed. However, that was probably due to other teams simply running the ball down their collective throats. New York was 29th against the rush, 27th in total yards allowed, and 26th in points allowed. Out of the roughly dozen players that are Free Agents on the Giants defense, I would label only three as “Must Re-Sign” candidates. One of those individuals is Defensive End, Jihad Ward, who was second on the Giants with five sacks (T85), which was also a personal best for Ward. He would probably sign for a very reasonable 3-years for $6 million, which makes him a steal. The Giants other starting DE A’Shawn Robinson can be set free. Robinson played in all 17 games, but only 50% of the snaps, recording 62 tackles, and zero sacks, zero forced fumble, zero fumble recoveries…which would mean ZERO chance that I would re-sign him. Robinson is NOT worth the $5 million he was paid last season.
Out of the five linebackers that are FAs for the Giants, I would only keep one; Isaiah Simmons, who has been a durable, solid backup. Simmons should be playing opposite Bobby Okereke; not behind him. At 26 years old, I would give Simmons a four-year deal and have him at RILB, where you can then let go of free agent ILB’s Cam Brown, Carter Coughlin, and Darrian Beavers, who collectively have done next to nothing. Outside Linebacker, Darnay Holmes can follow them on the way out as well. Free Safety Xavier McKinney, who warranted Pro Bowl consideration is my last “Must Re-Sign” for the Giants defense. McKinney had three INTs (T25), eleven passes defended (T28) and is a Top 20 FS. If he didn’t have so many injury issues, I would say to lock him down for five years. However, a solid four year for $44 million should keep him in New York. Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson is one of the most overrated CB’s in the NFL, and hasn’t played 16 games in a season since 2018. I would let both him and CB, Darnay Holmes go. I’m on the fence about CB, Nick McCloud though. He played in all 17 games last year, and he’s a solid backup AT LEAST. He had two INTs (T44) and eleven passes defended (T28), and some think he was snubbed from the Pro Bowl. I WOULD re-sign him, but I don’t think he’s a “Must Re-Sign”. The G-Men might regret not coming to terms with him if they decide to let him go.
Special Teams and More
If the Giants don’t re-sign Gunner Olszewski, Sterling Shepard, Parris Campbell, and Adoree’ Jackson, then they will almost be out of Kick and Punt Returners. I don’t think it would be a bad idea to bring back Gunner, but the price must be right. Long Snapper Casey Kreiter is also a Free Agent and he’ll be 34 years old at the start of next season. However, I believe that he was also one to warrant Pro Bowl consideration, so there’s no reason why the Giants shouldn’t re-sign him. Kicker, Randy Bullock was signed after Graham Gano was placed on the IR halfway through the season. Personally, I would get rid of both of them. Gano is still under contract, but he was terrible, hitting only 65% of his field goals last season. At least Bullock hit 83% (which also happens to be his career FG% as well) so the Giants knew what they were getting with him. Good luck with that mess.
The outlook for the Giants in 2024 doesn’t look great. They are playing in a relatively tough division with the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles. They don’t have a solid QB and may not have a solid RB if they don’t re-sign Barkley. Their offensive line was one of the worst in the NFL last season, and they need major upgrades to their defensive line and linebackers. But, hey…besides that…at least they get to play the Commanders twice! I wish I could say that I was picking the G-Men to make the playoffs this upcoming season, but it just doesn’t look hopeful. Daboll might be the fall guy if they get out to a bad start, and he may not make it through another losing season. Thanks for the “read” everyone!
