If the NY Giants were to be able to sign all five of these free agents, they would immediately make themselves a contender next year, especially if they can make significant additions in the draft. Given that they have nine picks and are drafting in the top five of the draft, they should be able to add several impactful players.
If they were able to secure these free agents before the draft, it would allow the Giants to have major leverage regarding their ability to trade back in the draft to accumulate additional draft capital.
If they were able to secure all five free agents, the best strategy would likely be to trade back with a team looking to draft a quarterback. The Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers and Carolina Panthers are all directly behind the Giants in the draft and need a quarterback.
By trading back, the Giants could select a left tackle such as Jedrick Wills Jr. of the University of Alabama, Andrew Thomas of the University of Georgia, or Mekhi Becton of the University of Louisville. In doing so, they could add a left tackle to anchor a line that includes Conklin, Hernandez, McGovern, and Zeitler, with Nick Gates, Chad Slade, George Asafo-Adjei and any additional 2020 picks serving as depth.
In this scenario, the Giants can shore up their offensive line for the foreseeable future. The holes that would open ahead of Saquon Barkley in the run game and the time that Daniel Jones would have in the pocket are simply tantalizing.
If the Giants instead decide to go with Isaiah Simmons with their first pick, he would suddenly provide Big Blue with a player who could roam all over the field on a defense that is significantly upgraded by re-signing Golden and by bringing in Littleton and Jones. The youth, versatility, and athleticism on the Giant’s defense would be rivaled by few in the NFL.
Gettleman and the NY Giants must succeed in free agency ahead of the draft. Doing so opens up a plethora of opportunities to them and allows them to significantly upgrade a roster with a lot of holes. If the Giants can successfully add impactful players in both free agency and the draft, they will be a legitimate contender next season.
Total proposed free-agent contracts next season: $68 million.