Free Agency Preview: New York Giants

With the hope that Free Agency will begin sometime this month I thought it’d be prudent to take a look at some of the needs for teams entering the N.F.L. offseason and possible targets for that team. I’ll start with the New York Giants. Requests for treams can be left in the comments and I’ll look at that team next.

Major Needs Filled by the Draft:

A criminally underpublicized need for the New York Giants heading into the draft was the lack of depth at cornerback position. Last year the Giants were so concerned about the cornerbacks on their team, they essentially refused to play more than three cornerbacks deep as Corey Webster and Terrell Thomas so most of the action and Aaron Ross contributed in passing defense formations. The Giants relied on a three safety set, and while that is something that will continue (and something Fewell likes to use as he used Bryon Scott in a similar Deon Grant position as a pseudo linebacker with the Bills).

The New York Giants spent their first round pick on Prince Amukamara, which gives the Giants much more depth at the cornerback position than they had the year prior. Thomas, Webster, Amukamara, and Ross have the potential to be one of the most sound cornerback groups in the league.

Kick and Punt Returner

Prior to the start of last season Domenik Hixon injured himself on the playing surface of the New Meadowlands stadium. The Giants subsequently traded for Darius Reynaud (and Sage Rosenfels) from the Minnesota Vikings. Reynaud did little as the Giants return man and that unit suffered all last year.

In the 2011 N.F.L. draft the Giants made upgrading the special teams a priority by drafting the dynamic Jerrel Jernigan in the third round of the N.F.L. draft. Jernigan figures to be the return man for the New York Giants this upcoming season.

Special Teams Unit

The coverage teams for the Giants were subpar to say the least last season. The Giants really focused on adding plays they thought could contribute to special teams (Jacquian Williams, Tyler Sash, and Greg Jones).

Potential Free Agents

Barry Coefield (65/35 He leaves the Giants via Free agency)

Mathias Kiwanuka (coming off a neck injury, probably on Giants next year)

Ahmad Bradshaw(60/40 on the Giants next year)

Steve Smith (will be resigned)

Kevin Boss (will probably be on Giants next year)

Keith Bulluck (likely to leave)

Deon Grant (Probably will be resigned)

Remaining Needs

Tight End

This is arguably the Giants weakest area of the team. Kevin Boss struggled with drops last year and has a history of concussions in his short career. He makes big plays, but the Giants don’t feature Tight ends, especially pass catching ones, which has left Travis Beckum without a defined role.

Linebacker

Giants fans want a big time linebacker on their team like the days of yesteryear, but that hasn’t happened in quite some time. While the Giants will enter the season with a serviceable linebacker corps featuring Michael Boley and Jonathan Goff, they will likely add a young free agent to the mix to be the longterm solution, or they could go again go with a stopgap kind of OLB (Kawikia Mitchell, Danny Clark, and Keith Bulluck).

Running Back Depth

The Giants may have found great value with Da’rel Scott in the 7th round of the N.F.L. draft, but that remains to be seen. The Giants could lose Ahmad Bradshaw, one of the more coveted potential free agents out there, or they could resign Bradshaw and try and move Jacobs. Running back depth is a potential need for the New York Giants.

Center

I believe in my heart of hearts that the Giants feel comfortable with Adam Koets as their future center if not for his injury. With both centers from last years roster coming off injuries center could be a big priority for the Giants.

Consistency

Every year the Giants look like an unstoppable force in September and October (and Eli has one of the highest winning percentages for a QB in October, and I believe the Giants have started at least 5-2 in every year Coughlin has coached), they have a bad habit of struggling down the stretch run. A big November and December could lead to promising things for the Giants who have now missed the playoffs in consecutive years.

Likely Free Agent Targets

Manny Lawson-49ers

Lawson has the speed size ratio the Giants covet from their defensive players and also has played in the 34 system something they also seem to covet. Lawson would be a good fit with the Giants as their starting Sam linebacker.

James Anderson, LB, Panthers

Completely ignoring the John Fox connection, James Anderson had a very good year with the Carolina Panthers last year making plays in a variety of ways. He seems likely to be resigned by the Panthers, so he may not be available, but if he is expect the Giants take a strong look at Anderson.

Julian Peterson

Pass rushing skills: Check

Been on winning teams: Check

Veteran Stop Gap: Check

Peterson is the kind of stop gap player the Giants have found themselves bringing in year after year under Jerry Reese so it’s reasonable to assume he could be a target for them next year.

Lyle Sendlein, C, Arizona Cardinals

He’s not a high priced free agent center, but he’s pretty solid. The Giants believe in their OL coaching so they’ll consider a player like Sendlein if he hits free agency.

The Giants have spent a lot of money on big free agents the past few years and have a pretty solid team. I don’t expect them to push hard for free agents this off-season with the possible exception of Manny Lawson. And really they shouldn’t have to, the Giants spent a lot of time last year beating themselves. Before the drafting of Prince Amukamara it was possible the Giants would pursue Nnamdi Asmougha (unlikely) with the hopes of keeping him away from the Eagles and Cowboys two of the most likely teams to acquire his services, but that seems like an even bigger long shot now.

What are your thoughts?

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