By Michael Stewart/@golferbad
The New York Giants are at a cross roads as they enter free agency with many holes to fill. With a limited cap space (projected $7.5M before cuts) and the decisions to be made on their own free agents most notably Leonard Williams and Dalvin Tomlinson, it’s apparent that the Giants will not be aggressive in free agency and could possibly target one top tier free agent. If so, here’s a list of the top 3 at wide receiver and the top 3 pass rushers in free agency that should be in the Giants price range.
Wide Receiver
- Corey Davis (Tennessee): Davis is only 26 years old with good size (6’3/210) and has put together a solid 2020 season with 65 receptions for 1002 yards and 6 touchdowns. His 15.6 yards per catch is a much needed element for the Giants in 2021. Spotrac projects Davis at $9.8M and I believe the Giants can sign Davis somewhere around $8-9M per year for 4 years ($35.2M).
- Marvin Jones (Detroit): Jones had a productive 2020 with a line of 76/978/9 at the age of 31. If he is willing to take a two year deal at $9.5M per and the Giants use one of their 1st three picks on a wide receiver, then it’s win/win for both sides.
- Tim Patrick (Denver): Patrick is big (6’4/212) and strong with a line of 49/696/6. Patrick could be on the verge of taking his game to the next level and is projected to get $4.1M per year. Patrick is only 27 years old, so a 3 year deal at $12.3M would fit in nicely within the Giants budget.
Pass Rusher (Defensive End and/or Outside Linebacker)
- Trey Hendrickson (New Orleans): Hendrickson finished with 13.5 sacks in 2020 and has the size (6’4/ 270) to play either in a 3-4 or a 4-3 scheme. The projections on Hendrickson is $10-11M per and only 26 years old should warrant a 4 year deal at $42M. If the Giants decide to move on from Williams, Hendrickson would be a more affordable and productive replacement.
- Romeo Okwara (Detroit): The former Giant had 10 sacks in 2020 and is a solid against the run. If the Giants are considering Okwara they won’t be alone as it’s being projected that possibly a half a dozen teams could be interested in his services. Okwara is projected to get roughly $10-11M per year possibly on a four year deal, if the Giants move on from Williams.
- Leonard Floyd (Los Angeles Rams): Floyd had 10.5 sacks in 2020 and could be a nice addition at the OLB position alongside Williams (if re-signed). Floyd made $10M in 2020 and could get a slight increase and at 29 years old, could get a two-year deal at $24M.
GM Dave Gettleman most first decide on what to do with his top two free agents in Leonard Williams and Dalvin Tomlinson before engaging in the free agent market. If history is a strong indication, then in all likelihood Williams will get re-signed ($14-15M) and Tomlinson would be the odd man out. Also, there’s a strong possibility that we could see two notable starters on the trading block in tight end Evan Engram and guard Kevin Zeitler; which could free up an additional $18M in cap space; along with trimming the roster for more cap relief.