NY Giants need only worry about re-signing these 4 free agents

As the new NFL league year and the opening of free agency rapidly approaches, the NY Giants have several tough decisions to make, but of their 14 unrestricted free agents, retaining only four should be considered a top priority.

While 12 of the NY Giants soon-to-be free agents actually started a game last season, only four have the chance to be legitimate impact players in 2021 and beyond.

Given that spending flexibility is tight, with the NY Giants currently sitting just $906,453 under the cap, according to OverTheCap.com, retaining premium talent, drafting well, and targeting premium players in the second-wave of free agency at positions of need needs to be general manager Dave Gettleman’s strategy in coming months.

Fortunately, there are several players the Giants can release to create cap space, and other players currently on the roster who could restructure deals to move money into future offseasons when the salary cap is projected to be much higher.

With that in mind, here are the four players the NY Giants should prioritize re-signing this offseason:

4) Edge rusher – Jabaal Sheard

Sheard, at this stage of his career, is a rotational pass-rusher on most teams, but showed last season in the NY Giants’ scheme that he can be productive.

Appearing in nine games, including three starts, Sheard forced a key fumble, produced 1.5 sacks,19 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits while also generating eight pressures, three hurries, and a pair of quarterback knockdowns.

Sheard, 31, is unlikely to break the bank in free agency and could be a cost-effective rotational defensive and and quality depth player for the NY Giants in 2021.