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Good morning, New York Giants fans!
2021 NFL free agency: Key roster needs for every NFC team - NFL.com
New York Giants
Needs: Defensive line, wide receiver, offensive tackle
Projected cap space: $7.3 million
The Giants’ defense was a surprising bright spot in a whirlwind year. Things started with Saquon Barkley’s season-ending knee injury in Week 2, followed by a midseason hot-streak in a bad division, then ended with the Giants losing steam toward the dreadful finish line of the NFC East title race. It was Daniel Jones’ 80-yard highlight run rolled into one season. The defense kept this group in the running in a lowly division, and Leonard Williams was a big part of Big Blue’s defensive success, so it makes sense that the team tagged him for a second straight season. Run-stuffer Dalvin Tomlinson is also a UFA, but will there be room to hang on to him, too? As for the Giants’ woeful offense (ranked 31st at 17.5 points per game in 2020), Jones faces a crucial season in 2021, with the team set to truly figure out if it will go forward with the 2019 first-rounder at QB. Setting Jones up for success will help that evaluation, and a dynamic wideout will be needed alongside Darius Slayton after the release of Golden Tate. There are several other FA items the Giants need to address, including backups for Jones and Barkley (Colt McCoy and Wayne Gallman are UFAs), but enhancing the offensive line would help mend Jones’ issues under pressure. Tackle Nate Solder is set to return after opting out of the 2020 season, but his pricey contract could make him a cap casualty. Cam Fleming, who started in Solder’s place last year, is a UFA. Considering this Giants’ defense was largely improved through free agency, there is still hope that a productive offense can be patched together, especially with the return of Barkley.
With free agency kicking off in the NFL after the franchise tag deadline, the Giants are in need of talent at multiple positions. NFL.com’s Michael Baca gives his detailed description here of the Giants situation.
11 free agent targets Giants could pursue following NFL franchise tag deadline - SNY
So how should the team fill those remaining holes? SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano lists his top remaining free agents he believes the Giants should make runs at to do just that.
Who are the best free agents left? - NFL.com
Speaking of remaining free agents, Dalvin Tomlinson slots in at number 25 in NFL writer Gregg Rosenthal’s top 101 remaining free agents list.
NY Giants: 3 moves that can create cap space to fit Leonard Williams tag - Fansided
With the announcement that the Giants will place the franchise tag on Leonard Williams for the second year in a row, Fansided’s Matt Lombardo lists three moves he believes the Giants should make to clear the $5.5 million necessary to stay under the salary cap for the $19.4 million franchise tag.
2021 NFL Draft: OT Rashawn Slater, CB Greg Newsome II show out at Northwestern pro day - NFL.com
What started as a “daring move” a few weeks ago is slowly becoming a realistic, if not exciting draft option for the Giants to take Northwestern OL Rashawn Slater at No. 11. With a solid outing at his pro day, and with his incredibly sound mechanics and positional flexibility as a lineman, Slater will surely jump up draft boards before April.
In case you missed it
- NFL free agency: Attention, Giants! Kenny Golladay is hitting the open market
- Leonard Williams will get franchise tag from New York Giants
- Gettleman and Judge confirm: Daniel Jones remains the Giants’ guy
- Joe Judge: OL coach Rob Sale “a great, high-energy coach”
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