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Less than 24 hours after the signing period officially began, the first wave of NFL free agency is basically over. We know where many of the biggest names who were on the market will be playing next season, and that location won’t be MetLife Stadium for the New York Giants.
Let’s look at some of the remaining players who could, and maybe should, interest the Giants.
Markus Golden, Edge
I have been saying for a while that Golden, who had 12.5 sacks while playing for James Bettcher with the Arizona Cardinals in 2016, is a player the Giants would very much like to have. The Giants, though, have competition from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Markus Golden is still working through his options, per source. The #Buccaneers and #Giants, both of whom have coaches formerly with Arizona, remain in the mix.
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) March 13, 2019
Other edge players remaining on the market include Shaquil Barrett, Shane Ray, Justin Houston, Alex Okafor and Nick Perry. Pro Football Focus considers Barrett one of the better budget options on the market:
The former UDFA has never put up big sack totals, but he’s consistently been able to affect the run and pass at an above-average level. He’s earned run-defense and pass-rushing grades over 70.0 every single season of his career. Even when top-five pick Bradley Chubb took his job, Barrett still earned a 75.9 overall grade on 276 snaps this past year.
The Oakland Raiders are also apparently involved with Golden.
Raiders are among several teams who have shown interest in former Cardinals edge rusher Markus Golden. Source said last night he’s weighing his offers, working though options.
— Scott Bair (@BairNBCS) March 14, 2019
Raiders are light on edge rushers. FA addition likely before position is addressed in the draft.
As of Thursday afternoon, Golden is still in play for the Giants.
#Raiders, #Chiefs, #Bucs and #Giants are in on former Cards pass rusher @MarkusGolden. 12.5 sacks in 2016 before tearing ACL. 28 years old. New Raiders DL coach @faithbeforefame had him in Arizona.
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) March 14, 2019
Mike Remmers, OT
The Giants wanted Daryl Williams to play right tackle and finish off their offensive line rebuild. Williams apparently was scheduled to visit the Giants, but cancelled that visit and decided to remain with the Carolina Panthers.
Could Dave Gettleman turn to another player who was with him in Carolina, veteran offensive lineman Mike Remmers? The six-year veteran has experience at right tackle and right guard, and Arif Hasan of the The Athletic Minnesota (Remmers was a Viking in 2018) tells me he really should be “right tackle only” and would provide “about average” play there.
That would be an upgrade from Chad Wheeler and, while not precluding them from using major draft resources on an offensive tackle, would give the Giants flexibility.
[UPDATED: Remmers is visiting the Giants on Thursday]
Six teams have reached out about veteran OT Mike Remmers and today he will be visiting the New York Giants. Obviously a great familiarity there with Pat Shurmur, Mike Shula, and Dave Gettleman.
— Brett Tessler (@TesslerSports) March 14, 2019
I’m told Mike Remmers is expected to arrive in town tonight and his #NYGiants FA visit will begin then, continuing overnight until tomorrow, per source https://t.co/YdeZV7srCu
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) March 14, 2019
Eight-year veterans Joe Barksdale and Jermey Parnell could also be low-cost options.
Bryce Callahan, CB
The former Chicago Bears slot cornerback was said to be a Giants target entering free agency. To be honest, I’m surprised he is still on the market. Spotrac estimates the 27-year-old’s market value at four years, $25.5 million ($6.3 million annually). Not sure the Giants are willing to play in that financial ballpark.
Other options might include Jason Verrett and Bashaud Breeland.
Zach Brown, LB
Just released by the Washington Redskins, the 29-year-old Brown is a good player who would be an upgrade for the Giants in the middle of their linebacking corps. He had 96 tackles in 2018 and was PFF’s fourth-graded interior linebacker. He missed only two tackles and was fifth among linebackers in tackling efficiency, per PFF.