New York Giants Salary Cap Space is 8th Best in Financial Power Rankings
By Neal Lynch
The Giants started the offseason ranked 18th in the financial power rankings released by Spotrac.com, even though they ranked 6th in available salary cap space. However, after Jon Beason retired and the release of Will Beatty and Geoff Schwartz, the increased New York Giants salary cap space has allowed them to leap-frog to 8th.
The G-Men now have 50 players under contract, which is the 6th least in the league, and 23 players from the 2015 roster becoming unrestricted free agents. Their estimated cap space of $58,073,688 is the third most in the league behind the Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars – two teams, like the Giants, with potent offenses and subpar defenses.
Only 16 of the Giants starters are signed (though looking at Spotrac’s projected starters, that number seems a little off), which is third least in the league, tied with the Texans, Cardinals, Bengals, and Jets. 63.17% of the salary cap goes to the starters, which is the 18th highest in the league.
Spotrac believes the Giants biggest contract needs are…
DEFENSIVE END
Signed: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, Montori Hughes, Kerry Wynn, Brad Bars
Free Agents: Jason Pierre-Paul, Robert Ayers, George Selvie, Cullen Jenkins
In my original article on the Giants free agents who should stay and who should go, I thought JPP wouldn’t be re-signed (too much money), nor would Selvie or Jenkins, but Robert Ayers should come back. Now, I think JPP and the Giants work something out, especially with an improved grip.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
Signed: JT Thomas, Jonathan Casillas, Mark Herzlich, Devon Kennard, Stansly Maponga
Free Agents: No one
This just doesn’t seem right. You have 5 guys at the position under contract. Casillas lead that position in tackles, JT Thomas was hurt and ineffective, and Devon Kennard took a step back after a big rookie year. Still, according to salaries alone, the Giants need to spend more here? To me, I think the money is better spent elsewhere since Casillas and Thomas will have another year in the system and Kennard stays healthy. Then again, what if we get a repeat of 2015? Maybe time to re-evaluate now rather than halfway through the season?
RUNNING BACK
Signed: Shane Vereen, Rashad Jennings, Andre Williams
Free Agents: Orleans Darkwa (Exclusive Rights)
For the money Shane is getting, he underperformed. Or was he under-utilized? The debate rages on. Rashad showed he’s worth his contract in the final weeks of the season, but what about when the games actually count? Some say Andre might be trade bait or a cap casualty while Darkwa is reportedly a McAdoo favorite.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Signed: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Leon McFadden, Trevin Wade, Tramain Jacobs, Landon Collins, Nat Berhe, Cooper Taylor, Mykkele Thompson, Justin Currie
Free Agents: Craig Dahl, Bennett Jackson, Brandon Meriweather, Prince Amukamara, Jayron Hosley, Trumaine McBride
You’d have to think the Giants would let Dahl, Jackson, Hosley, and Meriweather walk. Landon Collins will probably shift from free safety to strong. Prince and McBride deserve serious consideration, however, I think Amukamara tests the market. McBride always seems to find himself with the ball. Not sure you can get rid of a ball magnet like him.
I believe the middle linebacker position is one that warrants the most attention in free agency and the draft. In my article on the 5 Positions The New York Giants Must Address in Free Agency, you’ll see I also thought defensive tackle should be a priority. Prior to the recent moves, we’d noted the positions the Giants need to spend on, which mostly aligned with the list from Spotrac above, except the tight end position replaced running back.
One thing’s for sure, we should see a lot of activity from the team over the next month or so.