Almost all of the focus at this point in the NFL offseason is on the upcoming 2015 NFL Draft. There are, however, still many useful veteran free agents looking for work. Could any of them help the New York Giants?
Let's use this NFL Trade Rumors list of the top 50 remaining free agents for discussion. Here are five players on the list who might fill a hole for the Giants.
Mike Pollak, OG -- A 30-year-old seven-year veteran. Pollak has experience at both guard spots and has 41 starts in 58 career games. Hasn't been a full-time starter since 2010 with the Indianapolis Colts, but had a +5.0 Pro Football Focus grade in 450 2014 snaps. Had positive PF grades in each of the past five seasons.
Jeromy Miles, S -- A five-year veteran who played the most defensive snaps of his career in 2014, 335, for the Baltimore Ravens. Yes, where Steve Spagnuolo was working. Miles, who will be 28 next season, had a +5.2 PFF grade in 2014.
Justin Blalock, OG -- The 32-year-old doesn't have much time left in the NFL, but he's still a plug-and-play starter who could help for a year or so. Had a +3.8 PFF grade in 2014. Started 125 game sin eight years for the Atlanta Falcons.
Rob Sims, OG -- Similar to Blalock. A 31-year-old nine-year veteran. Had a -1.0 PFF grade in 2014. Could be a one-year stop-gap.
Joe Barksdale, RT -- The only viable starting offensive tackle remaining on the market. Barksdale, 26, is a four-year veteran who has been a starter for the St. Louis Rams for the past two seasons. Had a -5.9 PFF grade in 2014. Better run blocker than pass protector. If the Giants were really interested in signing him and moving Justin Pugh inside you would think they would have moved on him by now.
Final Thoughts
The only guy on this list who makes any sense to sign right now might be Miles. The Giants have sign somebody who has played the position before. Don't they? And Spagnuolo has familiarity with Miles. As for the offensive linemen, at this point it probably makes sense to see what happens in the draft. If the Giants come out of the draft still feeling like they need an experienced guard one or more of Sims/Pollak/Blalock seems likely to still be available.