NFL offseason 2015: Key dates to know for Giants fans

Much will happen before the 2015 NFL season kicks off. Here is look at some of the key offseason dates for the New York Giants and the other 31 NFL teams.

Feb. 7: Regional Combine, Davie, Fla.

This is the first of five regional combines. The others will be held Feb. 14 (Houston), Feb. 21 (Colorado), Feb. 28 (Maryland) and March 7 (Illinois).

Feb. 16: First day for teams to designate Franchise or Transition players.

This one impacts the Giants because defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul is a franchise tag candidate

Feb. 17-23: NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis.

The NFL meat market will be open for business, and it will be an incredibly important few days for the Giants. Remember co-owner John Mara's accurate words at the end of the 2014 season:

" ... there were a couple drafts in there, 2011 and 2012, where we didn't quite get the production that we want out of it. We needed to do well in 2013 and 2014. I think we did. We need to do it again, obviously, because when you are 6-10, you obviously have a lot of holes to fill."

March 2: Deadline for teams to designate Franchise or Transition players.

By 4 p.m. ET on March 2 we will know if the Giants will franchise Pierre-Paul.

March 7-10: Teams can enter into contract negotiations with unrestricted free agents.

Contracts can't be signed until 4 p.m. ET on March 10, but many of the first wave of free-agent deals get done during this window. Check our Giants Free Agency Hub Page for a look at all the Giants heading to free agency, as well as players the team might be interested in pursuing.

March 10: The league year officially begins.

A number of important things happen at 4 p.m. ET on this day.

• The league calendar year starts.
• Free agency begins. Teams can begin signing free agents who played for other teams in 2014.
• Teams must submit qualifying offers to their Restricted Free Agents with expiring contracts and to whom they desire to retain a Right of First Refusal/Compensation.
• Teams must submit a Minimum Salary Tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with expiring 2014 contracts and who have fewer than three accrued seasons of free agency credit.
• Top-51 Begins. All teams must be under the 2015 salary cap.
• Teams can begin to execute trades.

March 21-22: Super Regional Combine, Phoenix.

March 22-25: Annual league meetings, Phoenix.

April 6: Teams who hired a new head coach may begin offseason workout programs.

April 20: Teams with a returning head coach may begin offseason workout programs.

April 24: Deadline for Restricted Free Agents (RFAs) to sign offer sheets with other teams.

Cornerback Mike Harris and center Dallas Reynolds are the only significant RFAs on the Giants' roster.

April 29: Deadline for prior club to exercise Right of First Refusal to Restricted Free Agents.

April 30-May 2: 2015 NFL Draft, Chicago.

Keep following the Big Blue View Giants Draft Hub Page for all of our continuing coverage as the Giants get ready for the draft.

May 8-11: Team can hold a three-day rookie mini-camps during this time period.

May 15-18: Teams that did not hold a rookie mini-camp during the first window, can do so during this time period.