The Giants GM, Joe Schoen will need to address the team’s current free agents before embarking on the outside market. This list includes QB Daniel Jones, RB Saquon Barkley, S Julian Love and DE Jihad Ward. It’s expected that Joe Schoen will look to re-sign as many current Giant free agency as possible, but tough decisions need to be made.
Priority Players:
- Daniel Jones (QB): The price range for Jones has been reported somewhere between $30M to $35M per year with a 2 to 3 year commitment. This number could even be higher when all is said and done. The Giants will likely have a number in mind and will be hard pressed to exceed it if push comes to shove. I can see a deal done.
- Saquan Barkley (RB): It appears Barkley has turned down an initial offer of $12M per year and is looking for a similar deal that Christian McCaffrey obtained from San Francisco ($16M per). My gut suggests that the Giants will Franchise Tag Barkley, which could force a trade.
- Julian Love (S): The Giants would like to have Love back in 2023, but the business of football might be in the way. I do see both sides trying to work out a deal that will satisfy both parties.
- Isaiah Hodgins (WR): The only reason I listed Hodgins as a priority is due to his impact on the team in the 2nd half of the season. Hodgins is a ERFA (exclusive restricted free agent) in 2023.
Possible Returnees:
- Fabian Moreau (CB): Moreau played reasonably well and with the uncertainty of Robinson and Flott’s development, a one-year deal will be on the table.
- Jon Feliciano (C): Feliciano could be brought backl. His job will depend on what the team does with Nick Gates and the draft.
- Darius Slayton (WR): My gut tells me that Slayton will get interest from other teams with a better offer then what the Giants are willing to give and will take his talents elsewhere.
- Jarrad Davis (ILB): Davis could be back if he decides to accept a reasonable contract and how Schoen views Micah McFadden & Darrian Beavers. The Giants are projected to draft an ILB.
- Nick Gates (IOL): There wasn’t a better story this season in the NFL than Nick Gates valiant return to action after suffering a devastating injury that was career threatening. Gates played well enough to warrant a return in 2023 and I believe both sides will come to a mutual agreement.
- Richie James (WR): James suffered some lows during this season (punt return) but overall did a fine job for the Giants. I believe James fate will hinge on what Joe Schoen decides to do with Sterling Shepard. WR Wan’Dale Robinson is likely to return from this season ending knee injury in October.
- Matt Breida (RB): Breida served as a reliable and productive backup for Barkley and if both sides find a common ground on a one year deal, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Breida back in 2023.
- Casey Kreiter (LS): Nothing here other than Kreiter will return in 2023 as the long snapper.
- Jamie Gillan (P): Basically, if the numbers fit within the budget then Gillan will be a Giant in 2023.
- Wyatt Davis (OG): Davis entered the NFL as a promising offensive lineman and the Giants could still tap into that talent. In all probability Davis will end up on the practice squad in 2023.
Not a Giant in 2023:
- Jihad Ward (DE): Ward performed well for the Giants in run support and as a team leader. However, we could see other team’s looking to add Ward to their roster and could be willing to overpay.
- Jaylon Smith (ILB): The Giants brought Smith back earlier in the season hoping for a run stopper. That didn’t happen. Hard to see him return in 2023.
- Landon Collins (S): Collins is a fan favorite, but that won’t enhance his chances of returning. Due to his limited role as the season progressed, I believe he will not be part of the Giants in ’23
- Nicholas Williams (DL): William’s age and lack of production makes it an easy decision to part ways.
- Tony Jefferson (S): Jefferson was a history with DC Wink Martindale. He missed a large portion of the season due to injury. I don’t see a return in 2023.
- Lawrence Cager (TE): Adding more depth WR and Tight End’s that can catch and block makes Cager expenable.
- Marcus Johnson (WR): With expectations of more WR help on the way Johnson seems unrealistic.
- Oshane Ximines (EDGE): The time has come for the Giants to cut ties with him.
- Justin Ellis (DT): Ellis was brought in to help with run support and in all fairness didn’t do a good job. The Giants have younger options such as DJ Davidson & Vernon Butler waiting in the wings.
- Jack Anderson (OG): With the options currently on the roster, FA and the draft, Anderson will won’t be back.
It’s expected that the Giants could have at least a dozen new faces added to the roster in 2023. This would make sense for a team that is still considered in a re-building phase. So, can Joe Schoen once again push the right buttons and continuing moving the Giants in the right direction? many of the additions and subtractions will impact the team for years to come.