New York Giants: Top 5 free agent targets in the offseason

2. Shaquil Barrett – Outside linebacker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

If one Shaq is good, two Shaqs can only be better. The 27-year-old Shaquil Barrett has to be towards the top of the Giants wish list this offseason. Barrett, who was an undrafted free agent signing out of Colorado State University by the Denver Broncos in 2015, was allowed to walk by Denver in the offseason, signing a one-year $4 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

All Barrett has done since signing with Tampa Bay is accumulate 31 tackles, an incredible 11-and a-half sacks, four forced fumbles, an interception and four pass deflections. In short, he has been absolutely dominant.

The idea of the Giants signing an outside linebacker of Barrett’s caliber, who excels at getting to the quarterback is absolutely tantalizing. Allowing the veteran Barrett to mentor the younger Carter and Ximines, who are talented, but still a bit raw, could only help with their progression.

The threat of a James Bettcher defense rushing Barrett from the outside, should in theory open up opportunity for the talented line of Dexter Lawrence, BJ Hill, Dalvin Tomlinson and Leonard Williams, whom the Giants are expected to resign.

The attributes that Barrett brings to the team, would instantaneously allow Bettcher to expand his blitz package options, something that was a staple of the dominant defenses he coached with the Arizona Cardinals. As a result, Shaq Barrett is a must target player in free agency for the Giants. He figures to command one of the highest contracts of any available edge-rusher this offseason, but Big Blue cannot continue to put band-aids on it’s pass-rush situation.