Will the NY Giants go out and sign a free-agent cornerback?
Even before Sam Beal shocked us all today by signing off for the 2020 NFL season, many NY Giants fans had been clamoring for the team to sign cornerback Logan Ryan with the newly-found cap “savings” that Nate Solder opting-out afforded the team for 2020.
At the time, I was vehemently against the move as I consider Logan Ryan to be an average to slightly above-average cornerback that is seeking to be paid like an elite one.
Last season, Ryan allowed 781 passing yards and 5 touchdowns while allowing 66% of passes thrown his way to be completed; this came after a year where QB’s targeting him enjoyed a rating of 102.
Not to mention, Ryan is 29 and has plenty of tread on his tires, which doesn’t exactly fit with our rebuilding narrative.
If we were a team that was in serious Super Bowl or playoff contention then its surely a move you consider, but right now, even without Sam Beal, throwing that kind of money at an aging and declining Logan Ryan doesn’t make sense for the NY Giants.
Now the question becomes, is there anyone else out there on the market that’s worth considering bringing in? Other than Ryan, none of the cornerbacks that are currently available are expected to draw much of anything in the way of a big contract with guaranteed money.
If Dre Kirkpatrick, 30, would accept a one-year prove-it type deal I’d be on okay with bringing him on to help stabilize the young cornerback room that has been rocked over the past few months.
Although I mostly roll my eyes at “leaders” and “mentorship”, this room is full of inexperienced corners and even their prized free-agent addition is only 26.
There are a few other attractive options on the market, but again, only if they were willing to come play for the NY Giants on the cheap.
Otherwise, Big Blue might as well just stand pat as they’re still going to have to pay Solder and Beal’s salaries next season, and the Markus Golden addition prior to those opt-outs had basically left the team penniless