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2013 NFL Free Agency: New York Giants -- who stays, who goes?

Which unrestricted free agents will return to the New York Giants in 2013, and which will end up elsewhere?

Ramses Barden
Ramses Barden
Stephen Dunn

The New York Giants have a lengthy list of unrestricted free agents as they begin re-tooling their roster for the 2013 NFL season. Back in January I took an early look at the list and offered some thoughts on who would stay and would go when free agency begins on March 12.

With a month to go now before free agency begins for real, I thought I would take another look at the list. We know a little bit more about the potential market at this point, and we've already seen the Giants re-sign a couple of their own players. I will make a 'stay' or 'go' prediction with each player.

So, here we go.

Ramses Barden -- In January, I said "Time for some other team to see if they can get anything out of him." No reason to change that opinion now. Prediction: Gone

Will Beatty -- I still see the young left tackle as the top priority among the unrestricted free agents. The Giants might have to use the franchise tag on him. Prediction: Will stay

Travis Beckum -- In January I wrote "wasted a roster spot for four years." I still feel that way. Could Beckum get a one-year reprieve if the Giants lose Martellus Bennett? Personally, I'd rather go in another direction. Prediction: Gone

Martellus Bennett -- We wrote Sunday about possible interest in Bennett from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I just have the feeling the Giants may have to get into a bidding war for Bennett, and they might have a hard time winning it. Prediction: Gone

Rocky Bernard -- The Giants will move on from Bernard. Prediction: Gone

Chase Blackburn -- This one is sooooo tough. The Giants need to get better at linebacker, and Blackburn is probably not part of the solution. The only way I see him returning is if the Giants are absolutely unable to address middle linebacker in the draft or free agency. Prediction: Gone

Kevin Boothe -- In January I wrote "The Giants have enough other issues without creating one by letting him go." That is even more true today. Prediction: Will stay

David Carr -- An OK backup for Eli Manning. I doubt there will be a market for him. Prediction: Will stay

Domenik Hixon -- Another very difficult call here. The Giants won't be able to offer him big money, nor will they be able to offer him more than the No. 4 receiver/punt returner role. I think, though, the Giants would like him back. Prediction: Will stay

Bruce Johnson -- Hasn't played since the middle of the 2010 season due to injuries. Prediction: Gone

Sean Locklear -- I will stick with what I wrote in January. "Whether he starts or not, Locklear should be brought back to provide veteran depth at offensive tackle." I would prefer the Giants choose Locklear over David Diehl for offensive line depth. It's a role Locklear can -- willingly fill. Prediction: Will stay

Kregg Lumpkin -- There won't be a long line of suitors. He has some third-down ability. Prediction: Will stay

Kenny Phillips -- Another very difficult call. All of the advanced statistics, plus Perry Fewell's tendency to be more aggressive when Phillips is on the field, tell you he is still a good player. The chronic knee issues and the fact that a market for Phillips might develop seem to make it unlikely he would be back. The Carolina Panthers are rumors to be among potential suitors for Phillips. Prediction: Gone

Keith Rivers -- If Rivers could ever stay healthy he might be a pretty good player. He has never been able to, however. Prediction: Gone

Shaun Rogers -- Already re-signed.

Justin Tryon -- His work at corner left something to be desired in 2012. His work on special teams was, however, exemplary. Prediction: Will stay

Lawrence Tynes -- He has made a lot of big kicks for the Giants over the years, and overall is a perfectly adequate placekicker. Which is the problem. He is likely to want to be paid like a top-tier kicker, and the Giants just can't do that. Prediction: Gone

Osi Umenyiora -- I don't care what he says, or John Mara says. I have a hard time believing there is more than sliver of a chance he will return to the Giants in 2013. Prediction: Gone

Brian Witherspoon -- Missed two seasons now with knee injuries. I can't imagine the Giants would want to bring both Witherspoon and Terrell Thomas to training camp. Prediction: Gone