New York Giants 7-round mock draft 4.0, post-free agency
By Henry Buggy
The New York Giants are stretching their 2018 cap space under new general manager Dave Gettleman.
Big Blue has less than $5 million in cap space for the upcoming season after signing free agents Nate Solder, Kareem Martin, Patrick Omameh, Jonathan Stewart, Cody Latimer, and Michael Thomas.
The G-Men will need close to $10 million to sign their incoming draft class, according to Over the Cap. Gettleman will have options to clear space. Veteran receiver Brandon Marshall likely remains on the chopping block. Cutting Marshall would save over $5 million in cap space, but he must first pass his physical after spending most of last season on injured reserve.
Big Blue’s newly appointed general manager has also cleared space for the future by trading veteran defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But the move won’t help Big Blue in 2018, as the G-Men are still left with $15 million in dead cap space this upcoming season.
Despite the trade of JPP, the Giants look to be aiming to win now. The acquisition of Alec Ogletree and signing of Nate Solder shows the franchise’s intent for a quick turnaround. And the addition of a former second-team All-Pro linebacker and cornerstone left tackle displays the ideological change in front office philosophies.
Linebacker and offensive line were an afterthought during the Jerry Reese era. The Giants are clearly putting a bigger emphasis on winning in the trenches and plan to take the pressure off veteran quarterback Eli Manning with a viable ground game.
New York’s draft options remain wide open after free agency. What they will do with the No. 2 overall pick is anyone’s guess. But if they are building to win now, this mock draft could lead to a quick turnaround for the franchise.