Written by Christian Lysek
The Giants met a disappointing end. In their final game against the Packers, their normally stout defense was exposed and their inconsistent offense was downright anemic. This loss will sting for awhile, but in the NFL, there is no time for self-pity and wallowing. The offseason begins now for the Giants, and it will be full of tough decisions about who to keep, who to let walk, and who to draft.
Free Agency:
Cap Space: 28,511,772 (according to Fanspeak)
Notable Free Agents: EDGE Jason Pierre-Paul, DL Jonathan Hankins, QB Ryan Nassib, OT Marshall Newhouse, OG John Jerry, TE Larry Donnel, LB Keenan Robinson, LB Kelvin Sheppard.
The big story of the Giants offseason if the resign JPP or Jonathan Hankins. They can only reasonably afford to resign one with the massive spending spree they had last year and the fact that they need cap space to pay some dude named Odell Beckham next year. So who should they sign? JPP is probably the better player but will be much more expensive just because he is an EDGE rusher. Hankins is also four years younger and has ten fingers, so he will probably be the one on the Giant's party boat in 2017.
The linebacking core of the Giants will also experience some change this season. Starting middle linebacker Kelvin Sheppard is due for free agency as is Keenan Robinson, an outside linebacker. Kelvin Sheppard will probably be the one let go, as BJ Goodson has impressed in limited action and Sheppard is 29 anyway. Robinson will probably be signed for veteran experience and depth.
The other notable free agents are on offense. Ryan Nassib has been the team's backup/project quarterback, but does not resemble a player who is or will be a franchise quarterback, making it probable that he will not be resigned. Larry Donnel is normally the team's starting tight end, but he is injury prone and the team has serviceable tight ends with upside in Will Tye and Jerrel Adams. The offensive line also has two key pieces facing free agency: tackle Marshall Newhouse and guard John Jerry. Newhouse earned his starting job back these last two weeks and is only 28, so look for the Giants to resign him, as their bookends have struggled for most of the season. John Jerry has started at guard for much of the Giants season, but will probably only be back if he is willing to be back for cheap, as he is 30 and is not an elite guard.
On the Market Prospects:
EDGE Chris Long, LB Malcolm Smith, LB Kevin Minter, OG Chris Chester
Don't expect splash signing from the Giants this year, but they could add some key depth pieces in the draft. Chris Long is an old veteran and not much more than a good rotational piece, but he should not be too pricey and is an overall good player. Malcolm Smith and Kevin Minter are both starting linebackers on their respective teams but are not superstar-contract quality players, exactly what the Giants could use, especially at linebacker. Look for the Giants to add a cheap veteran guard prospect to replace Jerry as well, such as Chris Chester of the Falcons.
The Draft:
Early Round Prospects (Rounds 1-2):
The Giants need some offensive balance, and rehauling their running game is the best way to do that. With Leonard Fournette and Dalvin Cook likely taken by the time the Giants are picking, the Giants are best selecting Christian McCaffrey or D'Onta Foreman. McCaffrey is a similar back to current Giant Paul Perkins but is better in every way, be it running, receiving, or returning. Foreman is a big bruising back with quick feet ripped straight off of the Seattle Seahawk's running back template. I personally see them selecting Foreman and using him in a thunder-lightning combo with Paul Perkins, creating a running presence they have not had since Brandon Jacobs and lifting the pressure off of Eli Manning to win ball games for them.
The other major needs for the Giants are on the front seven of the defense. Romeo Okwara has done an admiral job in place of JPP, but blue chips wrecking balls such as Solomon Thomas and DeMarcus Walker should grab the Giants attention. Both are stout run defenders and elite pass rushers who could play any gap on the line due to their football IQs and immense strength. The Giants also need fresh blood at linebacker, and with blue chipper Rueben Foster likely gone by the time the Giants draft, they should look at the hyper-athletic Zac Cunningham. Jabrill Peppers gets all of the versatility talk, but during I saw Cunningham line up at slot corner, safety, defensive end, and linebacker in one game (Vande vs South Carolina). The Giants could use a sideline to sideline prospect like Cunningham to revitalize their linebacking core and while both improving their defense against the pass and rush.
The final need for the Giants is a new QB in the wings. Ryan Nassib is not the future of the Giants, and Eli Manning is 36. While their situation is not draft up in the first round desperate, the Giants should look for a high upside prospect in the draft. Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes stands out as the man who could eventually replace Eli. He is similar to Colin Kaepernick with an arm equivalent of a military cannon and mobility like a running back. While there has been some hype about Mahomes being a first rounder due to his amazing physical tools, I see him sliding into the second round because the Texas Tech Air Raid system works about as good developing quarterbacks as the Browns have the past decade. Mahomes is rawer than sushi, but he can sit behind Eli for a few years and learn how a real offense is run before he gets his shot (basically do what the Rams should have done with Goff).
Late Round Prospects (rounds 3-7):
Wayne Gallman and Jamaal Williams are two strong running backs who should go in the 3rd or fourth round. Anthony Walker Jr is a sure-tackling linebacker out of Northwestern with some coverage skills. Jarron Jones is a walking monster at defensive tackle who finally put together a healthy season at Notre Dame. Texas A&M Wide receiver Josh Reynolds is a 6'4'' field stretcher and red zone threat who could fall due to his offensive scheme. Nico Siragusa has paved the way for Donnel Pumphrey at guard the past two seasons with his enormous size. I had no idea who Antonio Pipkin was until he got a Senior Bowl invite, but the Tiffin quarterback is an athletic dual-threat quarterback with a big arm and good accuracy. Jordan Willis is a 6'5'' defensive end out of Kansas State whose good film and size has been overlooked in this deep EDGE class.
The one move nobody may see coming:
This will be just a fun section where I theorize the big move every team may make. My big move for the Giants is that they will sign WR Michael Floyd. They probably would not have to pony up much money for a guy whose BAC started with a two instead of a zero and he still has the talent of a top-40 receiver in the NFL. The four headed monster of Victor Cruz, Odell Beckham, Sterling Sheppard, and Malcom Floyd would strike fear in every defense around the league.
What I would do:
- Resign Jonathan Hankins, Marshall Newhouse, John Jerry, and Keenan Robinson
- Sign Chris Long
- Draft: Round 1- Zac Cunnigham, Round 2- Demarcus Walker, Round 3- Jamaal Williams, Round 4- Jarron Jones, Round 5- Nico Siragusa, Round 6- Josh Reynolds, Round 7- Antonio Pipkin
What do you think of this offseason plan? Comment below on what moves you would make this offseason and be sure to look out for another offseason plan for a different team this Friday.
Cap and free agency data provided by Fanspeak UltimateGM service.
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