By Michael Stewart@TheTruthNYG
The NFL mandated roster cuts scheduled on August 17th where all teams must trim their roster from 90 to 85 players. The Giants could be looking to add much needed help at two positions (offensive line and inside linebacker). They could also explore free agency as well as there are a few notable players still available that certainly give the Giants much needed help at each position. Since we don’t know which players noteworthy who will be a cut, let’s take a look at my top 4 available players in free agency that the Giants should consider signing:
- KJ Wright (Inside Linebacker): At 32 years old, Wright’s best years are behind him, but he still has value especially for the Giants that only have Blake Martinez as a reliable inside linebacker with a solid resume. If the Giants aren’t fully convinced with Tae Crowder, Reggie Ragland or the other candidates; perhaps it could make sense to place a call.
- Austin Reiter(Center): The Giants expressed interest in Reiter before signing Joe Looney. Now that Looney has announced his retirement along with Zach Fulton, it would make perfect sense to re-visit this option as Reiter would add experience and an upgrade at center; despite the success of Nick Gates in 2020. In theory, signing Reiter would move Gates to the right guard spot and Lemieux and Hernandez could battle it out at left guard.
- Chance Warmack (Guard): Warmack would be strictly a backup in this scenario and serve as depth at both guard positions. Warmack and Judge ties with Alabama should be noted here as Judge likes familiarity.
- Joe Dahl (Guard/Center): In my opinion, this would be a last option if the Giants failed to sign either Reiter or Warmack as Dahl doesn’t have the resume as the other two have. However; Dahl would fit in nicely as a backup and an emergency starter should one of the Giants starting guards find their way on the disable list.
Over the next week or so should give us a better idea on whether this is the route the Giants plan to take as their first pre-season is this coming Saturday against the Jets. With only three pre-season games, it becomes even more important for Gettleman and Judge to get the roster in order to give players time to learn the system and also the culture.