NFL rumors: Ranking NY Giants’ 5 biggest needs and free agents to fill them
1) Wide receiver
If this season exposed anything for the Giants’ offense, it is that it lacks truly game-altering talent and that hamstrung both the offense’s production and quarterback Daniel Jones’ development.
Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard, and Golden Tate combined for just seven touchdown catches this season and only Slayton averaged more than 12 yards per reception with none surpassing 800 receiving yards.
The Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and others around the league have shown the value in surrounding your quarterback with as many playmakers at the skill positions as possible — rather than building from the offensive line outward.
There’s no Tyreek Hill or Stefon Diggs on the Giants’ roster, and that limits what coordinators are able to do in the vertical passing game.
If the Giants are going to make a true evaluation of Jones’ ceiling and put together an offense capable of pushing for a championship, adding a marquee wide receiver both in the draft and in free agency must be a top organizational priority this offseason.
Top free agent targets:
Allen Robinson
Robinson is one of the most prolific wide receivers of his era, catching 455 passes for 5,962 yards and 39 touchdowns in his seven-year career. This season, Robinson surpassed 100 receptions for the first time, while averaging 12.1 yards per reception and catching six touchdowns, despite the Bears’ inconsistent quarterback play from Nick Foles and Mitchell Trubisky. Robinson might be the most sought after receiver in a deep free agent class, but the Giants would be wise to have the 27-year-old atop their free agent wish list.
Chris Godwin
It’s unlikely that Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht lets Chris Godwin leave Tampa Bay, but if he becomes available, Godwin is the most gifted receiver available this offseason. Godwin, at just 24, has developed into one of the 10 most prolific and dangerous wide receivers in the sport. This season, Godwin has averaged 11.8 yards per catch during a campaign riddled by injuries, while hauling in 60 receptions for 707 yards and six touchdowns. If he hits the open market, Godwin needs to be the first call the Giants place during the legal tampering period.
T.Y. Hilton
Hilton has been a model of consistency throughout his nine-year career. At age 31, Hilton might wind up being more affordable than Robinson or Godwin, but, as his 13.9 yards per reception and four touchdown campaign show, he can still make a significant impact.
Corey Davis
Finally healthy, after battling nagging injuries the past two seasons, Corey Davis looked the part of a top-five draft choice throughout his most prolific season in 2020. Davis caught 60 passes for a career-high 945 yards and a career-high five touchdowns this season and looked every bit the part of a true No. 1 wide receiver, which the Giants so desperately need.
Will Fuller
Fuller saved his best season for his contract season. One of the league’s most prolific deep threats, Fuller averaged a career-high 16.6 yards per reception, while catching a career- high 53 passes for 879 yards and eight touchdowns before his season was cut short by a suspension for violating the NFL’s Performance Enhancing Drug Policy in Week 11. The Texans will likely do everything they can to bring him back, but Fuller might be an ideal fit for the Giants’ needs.
Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.