By Michael Stewart@TheTruthNYG
GM Joe Schoen will have more tough decisions to make once the 2023 comes to an end. The Giants are projected to have roughly $47.6M in cap space in 2024 and it’s expected that GM Joe Schoen will add to that with player cuts/releases that could exceed $60M. Let’s take a look at the top 5 players that might not be a part of the team’s roster in 2024.
- A’Doree Jackson (CB): At the time Jackson was signed to solidify the CB2 spot opposite James Bradberry. Since the departure of Bradberry (salary cut) Jackson has assumed the CB1 and has had mixed reviews. With the addition to Deonte Banks in this past draft and sudden emergences of the team’s other rookie cornerback, Tre Hawkins; it’s expected that Jackson will not return to the Giants in 2024.
- Xavier McKinney (S): Since being drafted by the Giants, Mckinney has had one standout season and that was back in 2021. The Giants haven’t shown the desire to re-sign their safeties over the last several seasons as Landon Collins moved on to Washington and Julian Love to the Seahawks. It’s expected that McKinney will look for a top tier deal; which could be out of the Giants price range despite having close to $50M in cap space. The fact that the Giants have drafted a safety over the last two years and a fairy strong safety class in 2024; this could indicate that they are planning life without McKinney.
- Saquan Barkley (RB): The Giants could decide to move on from Saquan Barkley despite his value to the offense. On the other hand, GM Joe Schoen could also place the franchise tag on him again, which could create a major distraction before the start of training camp. Barkley will be a year older with more wear and tear on his body this season and the life of an NFL running back is usually short as not many find longevity at a productive level, which is why I don’t expect a multi-year contract. GM Joe Schoen will have a tough decision to make with Barkley and whatever he decides; it will be questioned by the media and also by the fans.
- Mark Glowinski (OG): When the New York Giants signed Mark Glowinski, it was their biggest free agent signing at that time and the expectations was that they secured their right guard for the immediate future. Fast forward to August of 2023 and it appears that Glowinski could be a cap casualty before the start of the 2024 season. GM Joe Schoen could release Glowinski next off season and only absorb $1.5M in dead money and add $5.7M in cap savings. The plan here is to have players like Ben Bredeson and Joshua Ezuedu emerge and solidify depth along the interior offensive line.
- Darius Slayton (WR): Slayton will be entering his final year of his two-year deal he signed with the Giants back in 2022. Slayton has been a Giant from the start when he was drafted in round 5 back in 2019 NFL draft. The writing could certainly be on the wall for Slayton as it’s expected that the Giants will look to get younger while saving additional cap space.
There will be other notable players that could be cut and/or released by GM Joe Schoen as he must look to find the right blend of talent to add to this roster to move the Giants in the right direction. With free agency, possible trade options and then the draft, the Giants and Joe Schoen’s mission will be to close the gap between them and teams like the Eagles and Cowboys within their own division. Not an easy task, but if anyone can do it Giant fans, it’s Joe Schoen.