A way-too-early glance at 2020 free agency after Beckham and Vernon trades

The 2019 Free Agency opens Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m. but, understandably, expectations of New York Giants fans have been tempered. The team is under a self-imposed austerity budget which, by Dave Gettleman’s reckoning, only leaves them with roughly $8 million in cap space despite being nearly $30 million under the 2019 salary cap.

The Giants aren’t expected to be active spenders in free agency this year despite ever-growing holes on their roster.

And in the last five days the Giants have traded two of their most expensive — and best — players to the Cleveland Browns, but aren’t realizing any cap savings this year. The cap space opened by the moves is absorbed by the $2 million restricted free agent tender signed by Corey Coleman, and the salary of newly acquired safety Jabrill Peppers.

But there’s always next year.

That is become the main rationalization for trading Beckham and Vernon: Along with Eli Manning’s contract coming off the books, they will have in excess of $100 million in cap space. And with Sterling Shepard as their only 2020 free agent worth retaining and a roster bereft of talent, the Giants will be the whales in next year’s free agent pool.

The free agent pool is always fluid and volatile. Players who are scheduled to be free agents can be extended early while others not listed could be releases as cap casualties. But for now, let’s just take an early look at who might be available.

(I will avoid players who are currently franchised or would only be available if a team does not exercise an option.)

Quarterback

Jacoby Brissett (Colts)

Offensive Line

Taylor Decker (LT, Lions)
Ronnie Stanley (LT, Ravens)
Laremy Tunsil (LT, Dolphins)

Cody Whitehair (C, Bears)

Joe Haeg (RG, Colts)
Brandon Scherff (RG, Redskins

Jack Conklin (RT, Titans)
La’el Collins (RT, Cowboys)

Wide Receiver

Tyreek Hill (Chiefs)
Michael Thomas (Saints)
Amari Cooper (Cowboys)

Running back

Derrick Henry (Titans)
Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys)

Tight End

Eric Ebron (Colts)

Defensive Line

A’Shawn Robinson (Lions)
DeForest Buckner (49ers)
Sheldon Rankins (Saints)
Kenny Clark (Packers)

Edge

Vic Beasley (Falcons)
Leonard Floyd (Bears)
Whitney Mercilus (Texans)

Off-Ball Linebacker

Myles Jack (Jaguars)
Shaq Thompson (Panthers)
Darron Lee (Jets)
Deion Jones (Falcons)
Bobby Wagner (Seahawks)
Danny Trevathan (Bears)

Cornerback

Jalen Ramsey (Jaguars)
Artie Burns (Steelers)
Byron Jones (Cowboys)

Safety

Justin Simmons (Broncos)
Vonn Bell (Saints)
Eric Murray (Chiefs)