New York Giants sign Dan Connor and Louis Murphy: Is Brandon Myers next?

It has now been confirmed that the New York Giants have signed LB Dan Connor and WR Louis Murphy, both to 1-year contracts.

Dan Connor played for the Dallas Cowboys in 2012 and played for the Carolina Panthers from 2008 to 2011. Connor is 27 years-old, 241 lbs, and 6’2″. He was a third-round pick from Penn State in 2008. Connor is most comfortable in the middle linebacker position which makes me wonder about the future of Chase Blackburn who is a free agent.

Louis Murphy could be a nice addition to the receiving corps. It looks like he’ll be competing with Jerrel Jernigan for the number fourth receiver spot. However, Domenik Hixon and Ramses Barden are both free agents and first-round tender has been placed on restricted free agent Victor Cruz. Murphy will give the Giants some negotiating room and also serves as a solid back up plan if they lose a few receivers to free agency.

Louis Murphy was a fourth-round pick for the Oakland Raiders in 2009. He is 25 years old, 200 lbs, and 6’2″. He played in Oakland for three years and was with the Carolina Panthers in 2012. In 2010, Murphy had his best year with 41 receptions and 609 yards. What I really like about Murphy is his speed. He has a career average of 14.5 yards in his 115 receptions.

Tight end Brandon Myers will visit with the New York Giants. Myers is 27 years old, 250 lbs, 6’4″. He was the sixth-round draft pick from Iowa in 2009. He’s played all four years of his NFL career with the Oakland Raiders. Myers had a breakout season last year with 4 TDs, 79 catches, and 806 yards. This is a guy who I believe is ready to be a top-tier tight end and exactly what the Giants need to overcome their red zone problems.

I like what Jerry Reese is doing here. He’s bringing on young, hungry players with 4-5 years experience in the league and giving them one year to prove themselves worthy of a longer contract to play out the remainder of their careers. After a breakout season last year, Brandon Myers is probably looking for a longer contract and probably deserves it. I suspect that if he signs with the Giants he’ll have a two-year deal, but not a three or four-year deal.