Best available free agents for the New York Giants

It is bargain hunting time in NFL free agency. So, let’s go picking through the bargain bin and see if we can uncover any players who might be fits for the salary cap-strapped New York Giants.

Offensive line

The Giants added D.J. Fluker and re-signed John Jerry to set up a nice competition for spots with Bobby Hart on the right side. What they haven’t done is add anyone to the mix to compete with Ereck Flowers at left tackle.

King Dunlap is one option. Released on Monday by the Los Angeles Chargers, Dunlap, 32 next season, is still a decent player. He’s had injuries that have limited him to 19 games the past two seasons. He has some experience on the right side, could possibly provide a push for Flowers, and could replace Marshall Newhouse as a swing tackle off the bench.

Ryan Clady is another option. The four-time Pro Bowler, 31 next season, isn’t what he used to be as injuries have cut short two of his last three seasons. He is another player who could provide competition for Flowers. Can he play the right side, and would he settle for what would most likely end up being a swing tackle role?

Replacements for Johnathan Hankins

We don’t yet know what will happen with defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins. Let’s work under the theory that the Giants will have to replace him next season. There are two players who might fit as pass-rushing, rotational 3-techs — Sen’Derrick Marks and Jared Odrick.

Marks had a career-high 8.5 sacks in 2014, but suffered a torn ACL in the season finale, then went on IR in 2015 with torn triceps. He had 3.5 sacks last season. Perhaps as a rotational player he still has something to offer.

Odrick didn’t fit in Tom Coughlin’s Jacksonville world, but he is a good player with 23 career sacks. He has played several different positions, from defensive tackle to outside linebacker, but pass-rushing 3-tech might be a good role for him.

Running backs

As I said earlier, I don’t believe the Giants are serious players in the running back market right now. If they were to look for a free agent back, the two who make sense appear to be Eddie Lacy and Latavius Murray.

Anyone else?

I doubt they would chase him, but inside linebacker Zach Brown is still on the market. There are a plethora of depth corners like Patrick Robinson and Jerraud Powers. The Giants had interest in Powers a year ago.