The NY Giants’ mission this offseason is simple, dramatically bolster the talent level at the offensive skill positions around quarterback Daniel Jones, and Tennesee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis might be an ideal fit in free agency.
Davis, 26, was originally chosen by the Titans with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and is coming off the finest season of his professional career, just as he’s about to become a free agent for the first time.
Last season, Davis set new career highs with 65 receptions for 984 yards and five five touchdowns on 92 targets. Pro Football Focus gives Davis an 86.9 overall grade and says Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill produced a 126.3 passer rating when targeting him.
Put simply, Davis elevated Tannehill’s game the past two seasons and developed into a focal point of Tennessee’s vertical passing game.
He just might be what the doctor ordered to shepherd the next stage of Jones’ development.
In addition to his ability to stretch the field, as illustrated by his 15.1 yards per reception average and 4.4 yards after the catch per reception, Davis is a willing blocker and at 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds has the frame to do so.
What might make Davis tailor-made for the Giants is the fact that he thrived in a run-first scheme, which is the goal of this organization from Dave Gettleman down to head coach Joe Judge and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, particularly as running back Saquon Barkley returns in 2021 from a torn ACL.
It is no secret that the Giants will look to address the receiver position this offseason, perhaps both via free agency and the NFL Draft. If Davis hits the open market, he checks several boxes for the Giants from scheme fit, productivity, and being quarterback friendly.
Even if the Titans hope to retain Davis, it could be a struggle to do so as Tennessee is currently $2.19 million over the projected salary cap floor of $180 million. The Giants aren’t much better positioned, currently with just under $1 million in cap space, but have the flexibility of having several veterans who could be cap casualties to free up spending flexibility.
If the Titans are unable to re-sign him, Gettleman and the Giants would be wise to aggressively try to.
Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.