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Saturday morning we mentioned Kansas City Chiefs safety Ron Parker as a player whose name could surface in the New York Giants' search to replenish their safety position. By Saturday night, there were multiple media reports that the Giants had expressed interest in the versatile four-year veteran.
Parker, 28, began his career as an undrafted free agent out of Newberry College. He started 15 games for Kansas City in 2014 after getting only one start in three previous seasons during stops with the Seattle Seahawks (twice), Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers and Chiefs. Parker, 6-foot, 206 pounds, showed his versatility by starting four games at cornerback and 11 at safety.
SB Nation's Arrowhead Pride wrote that Parker "did a nice job" at safety eliminating big passing plays. The Giants struggled in that department in 2014, giving up 62 plays of 20 yards or more. That was 28th in the league. Veteran safeties Antrel Rolle, Quintin Demps and Stevie Brown are all unrestricted free agents. Increasingly, it seems as if Brown may be the only one of the three with a legitimate chance to return in 2015. Rolle has repeatedly indicated he has not talked to the Giants since the end of the season.
The Giants are expected to check in on Devin McCourty of the New England Patriots and Rahim Moore of the Denver Broncos, but their price tag could be prohibitive since the Giants currently have only about $13.1 million in cap space, per Spotrac.
Parker's price tag is expected to be in the $4-5 million range. That, combined with his versatility and the fact that he appears to be an ascending player will make him attractive on the market.
[Giants Free Agency Tracker | Free Agency Hub Page]
Giants Target Defensive Ends
Word got out Saturday that the Giants had been busy trying to line up visits with free-agent defensive ends. Perhaps it should not come as a huge surprise that Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Adrian Clayborn is one of the players the Giants have reportedly inquired about.
Giants general manager Jerry Reese is often attracted to reclamation projects, players who were high draft picks and may not have panned out with their original team. Think of guys like Keith Rivers, Charles Brown and Aaron Curry.
Clayborn was a first-round pick by the Bucs in 2011 (20th, one pick after the Giants took Prince Amukamara). Clayborn had 7.5 sacks as a rookie and 5.5 in 2013. He played only one game in 2014, however, landing on IR with a torn biceps. He also played only three games in 2012 before going on IR with a torn ligament in his right knee.
Clayborn received a -18.1 grade from Pro Football Focus for his work during the 2013 season. That included -13.6 rushing the passer and -3.5 vs. the run. His 2011 grade was -4.9 (+13.6 rushing the passer, -17.1 vs. the run).
The latest word is that the Giants are not one of the top suitors for Clayborn:
One free agent name to watch who's getting some buzz-- ex-Bucs DE Adrian Clayborn. 4 potential landing spots: SEATTLE, ATL, MINN, DALLAS
— P. Schrager (@PSchrags) March 8, 2015
Other News You Should Know
The Houston Texans re-signed offensive tackle Derek Newton to a five-year, $26.5 million contract with $10 million guaranteed.
Why you should care. Because the Giants are almost certain to be in the market for an offensive lineman, and this deal for the 27-year-old Newton sets the market at a high price. The Giants got Geoff Schwartz a year ago for $16.8 million over four years ($5.7 million guaranteed).
The Dallas Cowboys re-signed offensive tackle Doug Free.
Why you should care. Because between Free and the younger Jermey Parnell we wondered which of the two Dallas right tackles would hit the open market. It will be the likely less expensive Parnell, who has experience at both tackles. Parnell, at the least, could be a swing tackle option.
Best offensive tackles left on the market -- Bryan Bulaga, Joe Barksdale, Parnell.
Best guards left on the market -- Orlando Franklin, Clint Boling, Mike Iupati