Five Biggest Free Agency Moves: New York Giants
With free agency now into its fourth week as April’s Draft draws closer, it’s time to start reviewing which teams filled some needs and who got weaker. Here are the five biggest free agency moves for each team so far.
After improving their defense thanks to a huge spending spree last off-season, the Giants returned to the playoffs for the first time since their 2011 Super Bowl run by nabbing one of the NFC’s wild card spots. Now, the challenge for head coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese will be to build on a strong foundation as Eli Manning enters his twilight years. Here are the Giants’ five biggest free agency moves:
1 — Retaining Jason Pierre-Paul
Despite a horrific 4th of July injury that cost him two fingers in 2015, Pierre-Paul doesn’t seem to have lost any of his dominance as a pass rusher. As part of New York’s best defensive line in years, JPP wreaked havoc last season with seven sacks and three forced fumbles. After playing under the franchise tag last year, Pierre-Paul warned that he wouldn’t play on another one year deal. He was tagged again this off-season, but agreed on a four year, $62 million deal to keep that dominant defensive line together through 2021.
2 — Signing Brandon Marshall
After being released by the Jets, Marshall didn’t have to look very far for his next team, signing a two year, $12 million contract with the Giants. It’s a win-win for both parties. Marshall doesn’t have to move or sacrifice his promising TV analyst career, and now has a good shot at making the playoffs for the first time in his career. The Giants can replace the injury-prone Victor Cruz with a durable, savvy veteran possession receiver who can also be a potent red zone weapon. With Marshall joining Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard, the Giants have the best receiving corps in the NFC East.
3 — Solidifying the offensive line
As Eli Manning gets older, protecting him is becoming increasingly important as he enters his twilight years, despite the fact that he has never missed a game since becoming the starter in 2005. The Giants re-signed veteran guard John Jerry for three years, $10 million and also added former Chargers first round pick D.J. Fluker to compete at left tackle on a one year, $3 million prove-it contract.
4 — Re-signing Keenan Robinson
The Giants’ linebacker corps is the weakest part of their defense, so expect them to address the area in the Draft. But re-signing Keenan Robinson gives them a solid veteran who is adept in coverage as a rotational player. Robinson had seven passes defensed last season despite starting just six games, and returns on a one year, $4 million deal.
5 — Signing Rhett Ellison
The Giants may have found a steal in former undrafted free agent Will Tye, who has emerged as a reliable pass catcher over the past two seasons. But Tye needed a new stable-mate, so the Giants signed former Viking Rhett Ellison to a four year, $18 million contract. Ellison is a good blocker, but was under-utilised as a receiver in Minnesota thanks to the presence of Kyle Rudolph. Expect the Giants to feature him more in their passing game.
