The hype of free agency has come and gone and now it’s time to look at what teams have gained and lost since March 16th and where they stand as they prepare for the upcoming draft. Let’s talk about the New York Giants.
New York Giants
Key acquisitions: G Jon Feliciano, G Mark Glowinski, DE Jihad Ward, DT Justin Ellis, RB Matt Breida, G Max Garcia, QB Tyrod Taylor, TE Ricky Seals-Jones, G Jamil Douglas, WR Richie James, TE Jordan Akins
Re-signed: LS Casey Kreiter, OT Korey Cunningham
Departures: CB Logan Ryan (Buccaneers), TE Evan Engram (Jaguars), G Will Hernandez (Cardinals), DT Austin Johnson (Chargers), OLB Lorenzo Carter (Falcons), S Jabrill Peppers (Patriots), P Riley Dixon (Rams), RB Devontae Booker, TE Kyle Rudolph, TE Kaden Smith, CB Keion Crossen (Dolphins)
Remaining free agents: OT Nate Solder, DT Danny Shelton, LB Reggie Ragland, QB Mike Glennon, LB Benardrick McKinney, G Matt Skura, C Billy Price, WR John Ross, LB Jaylon Smith
Analysis: Has there ever been an offseason when Giants fans felt hope? That year they signed James Bradberry and Blake Martinez was nice, but two years later they’re talking about moving on from both players. No matter what signing or draft pick the Giants make, there is no hope, and 2022 feels just the same. They made a good amount of decent signings, but a lot of guys left the team.
The focus of every Giants offseason is offensive line, and they once again worked to address it after more failed attempts. With Nate Solder’s contract finally expiring, they can turn to their young draft picks (Andrew Thomas, Matt Peart) to fill that role. Former starting guard Will Hernandez signed with the Cardinals, so to fill that role the team signed veteran guard Jon Feliciano. After his first season in Buffalo as a 16-game starter in 2019, he had two injury-shortened seasons before getting released this offseason. He gets a chance to be a starter with Hernandez gone and Matt Sakura a free agent, but he’ll have competition with Shane Lemieux, who missed last season with injury, and fellow free agent signees Mark Glowinski and Max Garcia. Glowinski has a leg up as he has a ton of starting experience on a very good Colts offensive line the last four seasons, but he was definitely the worst player among the starting five and at times was looking to be replaced with Chris Reed playing over him in some games. Garcia has struggled to maintain a starting job since early in his career with Denver, but started 11 games last year.
Couple more moves on offense is running back Matt Breida, tight end Ricky Seals-Jones, and quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Breida figures to be the RB2 to Saquon Barkley and has always provided juice to any offense, but hasn’t been given an opportunity in recent years. He was a breakout stud with the 49ers after coming in as an undrafted rookie, and hopefully gets a chance to get the playing time he deserves. He replaces Devontae Booker on the depth chart. Seals-Jones has bounced around, but has makes some nice plays in the endzone throughout his career. He’ll compete with former Texan Jordan Akins and three practice squadders for a starting job, which should be pretty easy. Taylor is the presumed backup to Daniel Jones, but Tyrod always finds a way to start some games.
As I mentioned earlier, a lot of guys from last year are no longer with the team. Defensive back Logan Ryan was released in a surprising move as it only saved the team less than $1M on the cap, which led to Ryan filing a grievance against the team because he had offseason surgery before being released so he should’ve been guaranteed his full $8.5M salary. The team also cut tight ends Kyle Rudolph and Kaden Smith along with running back Devontae Booker.
The team also let some former draft picks walk in first-round tight end Evan Engram, who signed with the Giants, pass rusher Lorenzo Carter signed with the Falcons, and the aforementioned Will Hernandez to Arizona. Veteran starters Austin Johnson and Jabrill Peppers also signed with new teams.
Plenty of unrestricted free agents not signed, most notably free agent bust Nate Solder, and defensive starters Reggie Ragland and Danny Shelton.
Conclusion: Not a lot of hope. That’s the aura around the New York Giants. No matter what happens, it just feels like it doesn’t matter. I’ve also not seen what new head coach Brian Daboll and new general manager Joe Schoen are about, so maybe I’m wrong, but that’s the vibe I currently have. There’s a lot more to be seen with this team. This is a super important draft for the future of this franchise and this season will determine the future of a lot of their players and will answer a lot of questions. Is Daniel Jones still the future? Is Saquon Barkley already washed? Is there hope for the Giants? We shall see.
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