The Giants have done well this offseason, in both free agency and the draft, addressing their roster’s major areas of need. However, there remain a few places that could use upgrades, and fortunately for New York, there are intriguing free agents still on the market who could meet those needs.
Cap space, though, is a problem. As my beat partner, Dan Duggan, explained recently, once the Giants sign their draft picks, they will probably need to create at least $5 million in cap space just to get through the season. Realistically, they will need double that number to bankroll in-season additions, and that can be done with any number of moves, including reconfiguring quarterback Daniel Jones’ contract, signing franchise-tagged running back Saquon Barkley to a contract extension and/or extending left tackle Andrew Thomas.
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Until a couple of cap-saving maneuvers are made, the Giants likely won’t be adding any big-name veterans, making this more of a hypothetical exercise for now. Still, in anticipation of those moves, we’ll go window shopping with seven potential fits.
Leonard Floyd, OLB, 30 years old
The Athletic’s expert analysis from our list of best available free agents: “Floyd has certainly benefited from Aaron Donald’s presence in L.A., but he’s been consistently productive in his own right, without slowing down since turning 30 in September. He has 29 sacks, 59 quarterback hits and 157 pressures (per TruMedia) over the past three seasons, including four sacks, 11 hits and 28 pressures in the six games Donald missed in 2022. Floyd also hasn’t missed a game since 2017 and has played at least 80 percent of defensive snaps in four consecutive seasons.” — David Dechant, senior NFL editor
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The fit: The Giants pass rush is headlined by a pair of intriguing young talents in Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari. But beyond them, there’s little else that can be counted on. The group needs depth, especially considering injuries sidelined both players last season. Ojulari missed 10 games. Floyd would alleviate concerns about either missing time.
Floyd’s numbers tell the story about his quality as a pass rusher, but what they don’t reveal are his abilities beyond them. Floyd can drop in coverage, and despite his smaller frame (for the position), he’s solid against the run, ideal traits in a constantly evolving defense helmed by coordinator Wink Martindale. His versatility and veteran leadership could be exactly what the position group still needs.
Double team rate at Edge (x) by pass rush win rate at Edge (y) for the 2022 NFL season.
(ESPN / NFL Next Gen Stats) pic.twitter.com/PDSa4L5xTs
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) January 13, 2023
Yannick Ngakoue, OLB, 28
The Athletic’s analysis: “Ngakoue isn’t an elite edge rusher, but he has an undeniable knack for getting to the quarterback that could help any team at a reasonable price, including the Colts. Ngakoue has at least eight sacks in every season of his career and 9.5 in 2022. No team will break the bank to acquire Ngakoue, but the journeyman should have a solid group of suitors.” — James Boyd, Colts beat writer
The fit: Ngakoue has been a consistent sack contributor on every team he’s played for (Jaguars, Vikings, Ravens, Raiders, Colts). Making a pairing with the Giants potentially more intriguing is his history with Martindale, whom he played for during his 2020 stint in Baltimore. Ngakoue’s ability to stop the run leaves something to be desired, but if the Giants are looking to add a major threat to opposing quarterbacks, Ngakoue could be that guy.
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Martindale could weaponize a player like Ngakoue without having to wait on Ojulari or Thibodeaux to get injured. Think of how scary the Giants could be with all three on the field in third-and-long and other passing situations. Martindale loves to dial up blitzes — he sent an extra rusher on a league-high 39.7 percent on opponent dropbacks last year — and he could have some fun with Ngakoue, Thibodeaux, Ojulari and Dexter Lawrence, among others, all on the field together.
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Justin Houston, OLB, 34
The Athletic’s analysis: “While noncommittal about his future, the 12-year veteran has said he’ll play as long as he feels healthy and productive, and he’d like to stay in Baltimore. Despite fading in the second half of 2022, Houston finished with a team-high 9.5 sacks in 14 games and another sack in the playoffs. He’s not an every-down player at this stage, but he still brings value in a situational pass-rush role.” — Jeff Zrebiec, Ravens beat writer
The fit: Another player with a history with Martindale, Houston played in Baltimore in 2021. As with Ngakoue, Martindale would have fun drawing up pressure packages with all of his pass rushers. Houston also has a reputation as a great locker room guy, which would be good for the team and, in particular, the younger Ojulari and Thibodeaux.
Something else to consider: If Houston is too expensive or the Giants don’t like the fit for some reason, perhaps they’d target another veteran pass rusher like Melvin Ingram or playoff specialist Frank Clark.
Deion Jones, ILB, 28
The Athletic’s analysis: Jones didn’t make the list of best available free agents.
The fit: The Giants struggled to find a reliable inside linebacker rotation last season, adding players into the last weeks of the season and suiting them up in their postseason contests. The Giants addressed this need in a big way, adding Colts linebacker Bobby Okereke on a four-year, $40 million contract in free agency. Jones could be another option to help remake the group.
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Jones reportedly visited the Giants in early April. Could that be the telltale sign? Defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson visited about a month before he later signed with New York. Jones, a longtime Falcon, was traded to Cleveland last season. He was activated off injured reserve and played 11 games for the Browns, adding 44 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He could be a solid add to play alongside Okereke, although the team still does have veteran Jarrad Davis and 2022 Day 3 draft picks Darrian Beavers and Micah McFadden.
Former #Browns and long-time #Falcons star LB Deion Jones is visiting the #Giants today, source said. They may not be done adding at the LB position.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 3, 2023
Marcus Peters, cornerback, 30
The Athletic’s analysis: “The ball hawk fits the Ravens well, and Baltimore certainly needs quality cornerbacks. Peters, though, struggled for much of 2022 after missing the previous year with a major knee injury. Will he be closer to his pre-injury form in 2023? Or was his up-and-down play in 2022 a sign of things to come? His volatility will probably scare off some teams, but he’s a smart football player, as his 32 career interceptions prove.” — Zrebiec
The fit: There’s definitely less urgency at cornerback after the Giants used their first-round pick on Maryland’s Deonte Banks. They also added Tre Hawkins III out of Old Dominion in the sixth round. If all goes well in camp, the Giants should have a solid 1-2 punch in Adoree’ Jackson and Banks. But the Giants don’t need to be told how quickly cornerback depth can become depleted, so perhaps more is merrier? He’s another former Raven who has history with Martindale. Would it be worth it to give Martindale another friendly face and boost the cornerback depth chart with an experienced ball hawk?
Kareem Hunt, RB, 27
The Athletic’s analysis: “Hunt sounds like he’s ready to move on, and the Browns drafted Jerome Ford last year. Hunt’s touches and productivity dropped in the back half of 2022, but he can still add at least something to an offense both as a power back and a pass catcher. There’s just not going to be much money out there for veteran running backs.” — Zac Jackson, Browns beat writer
The fit: Let’s just start by saying it’s unlikely the Giants add another running back. One, Barkley’s contract still hangs in the balance. Two, the Giants drafted Eric Gray out of Oklahoma in the fifth round. The room also already includes solid veterans Matt Breida and Gary Brightwell, who had productive seasons behind Barkley.
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But if we’re speculating, we’ll throw Hunt’s name on the list, as he has the pass-catching chops out of the backfield that might make him a solid fit in New York. He didn’t run with the same efficiency (3.8 yards per carry) last year as he has throughout his career (4.5 YPC), but the Giants could make a low-cost bet that he bounces back.
Dalton Risner, guard, 27
The Athletic’s analysis: “Risner started 62 of a possible 66 games during his first four seasons, all at left guard. He was named all-rookie in 2019, and though he has not elevated to a Pro Bowl level, he has been a reliable member of a shuffling offensive line. A native of nearby Wiggins, Colo., Risner said he ‘would love’ to remain with the Broncos, but that could be determined by Sean Payton’s plans for constructing the offensive line.” — Nick Kosmider, Broncos beat reporter
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The fit: Another long shot idea because the Giants’ offensive line room looks set with the addition of second-round pick John Michael Schmitz, who should start the season at center. That leaves the left guard spot as “open.” Last season, Ben Bredeson and Josh Ezeudu rotated at that position. It seems like the Giants will want to stay with those options for that spot, likely hoping Ezeudu, a 2022 third-round pick, wins the job.
But by signing Risner, they’re upgrading the talent on the interior offensive line — good news for Jones — while allowing Bredeson and Ezeudu to serve as depth behind Risner and right guard Mark Glowinski.
(Top photo of Yannick Ngakoue: Andy Lyons / Getty Images)
