2020 Offseason Signing
Perhaps Dave Gettleman did more this offseason to save his job than in any of his tenure as the Giants’ GM. Three player signings in particular have completely turned around the Giants defense.
Blake Martinez, Logan Ryan, and James Bradberry have all been phenomenal. Through the first 10 weeks of the year, they should be championed by Gettleman as his ability to scout talent. Older talent, as we’ll get into later, but talent nevertheless.
Martinez was signed for 3 years, $30.75 million. Not only does he lead the team in tackles, but he entered the bye week in Week 11 tied as the league leader with 96 tackles. Roquan Smith of the Chicago Bears was tied with him. But after the Thursday Week 11 game, Bobby Wagner bumped his tackle total up to 96 as well.
Smith was only drafted in 2018 and still playing off his rookie contract. But Wagner is currently on a three year, $54 million contract. Having Martinez compete at the same level as a known name like Wagner for a far cheaper price is a steal for Gettleman to tout.
Bradberry is also a league leader. He’s tied for first in pass breakups with 14, along with Carlton Davis. Davis is still working off his rookie contract, while Bradberry’s was for more money than Martinez’s: three years, $43.5 million.
But compare that salary to Patrick Peterson, considered one of the best corners in the NFL today, and you see the value Gettleman received. Peterson is working on a five year, $70.1 million contract. He currently has just six pass deflects. Both Bradberry and Peterson have 32 tackles and three interceptions.
Another steal this year was Logan Ryan, who was signed on a one year, $5.1 million contract. Ryan is second on the team in tackles (59) and pass deflections (seven). He’s been a tremendous asset in an otherwise spotty secondary, and he’s someone Gettleman should absolutely sign over the long term.
How Gettleman maneuvers Ryan could be a determining factor in assessing if he stays or goes.