Giants free agency rumors: Johnathan Hankins could still be within reach

Maybe, just maybe, there is a glimmer of hope that the New York Giants can keep defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, who is set to become a free agent Thursday at 4 p.m. ET.

Speculation up to this point has been that Hankins, 25, would fetch a free-agent contract out of reach for the Giants, who have only $12.832 million in cap space, per Spotrac. Some have even tossed around the idea that in an exploding market Hankins could get a deal approaching the five-year, $46.25 million that Damon Harrison got from the Giants a year ago.

Now, though, comes word that defensive tackle Dontari Poe of the Kansas City Chiefs, a 26-year-old two-time Pro Bowler, might be willing to do a one-year deal. That report did not list a potential dollar figure for a one-year Poe deal, but it is interesting since Spotrac estimates Poe’s market value at five years, $60.6 million, slightly more than $12.1 million annually.

Is the Poe report accurate? We will probably know for sure in the next couple of days. If Poe, perhaps the premier defensive tackles on the market, were to take a one-year deal that would undoubtedly change the landscape for free agent defensive tackles.

ESPN’s Jordan Ranaan reported that Hankins is the Giants “top priority” with Jason Pierre-Paul having been hit with the franchise tag.

If the market turns out to be what has been expected all along, it would seem difficult for the Giants to find a way to pay for Hankins. If, however, Poe signs for less than anticipated the domino effect could put Hankins back into the Giants price range.

So, keep an eye on what happens with Poe. It certainly sounds like the Giants will be.

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