The NY Giants are expected to go shopping for a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver via free agency and the NFL Draft this offseason, to pair with quarterback Daniel Jones, but the market got a bit thinner when Allen Robinson and Chris Godwin received the franchise tag.
The Bears and Buccaneers, respectively, keeping their top wide receivers, and two of the premier players at the position, off the free agent market is a win for those franchises and could drive up the price for some of the receivers currently hitting the market.
Overall, the wide receiver market is expected to be a tempered one, league sources say, because of the bevvy and depth of explosive talent in the NFL Draft.
However, given that the NY Giants’ offense averaged just 17.1 points per game last season, and the organization must put Jones in the best possible position to succeed in 2021 to determine just how committed they should be to the former No. 6 overall pick long-term, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Giants aim to add both a veteran and rookie receiver this offseason.
Here’s a look at the top free agents who weren’t tagged this week, that could be ideal fits for the NY Giants:
John Brown
The Buffalo Bills released John Brown Tuesday, and the veteran would be a welcomed infusion of speed into the NY Giants’ offense.
Brown, 30, is the type of player the Giants could be shopping for this offseason … A veteran who can be productive, but won’t break the bank.
Last season, Brown caught 33 passes for 458 yards and three touchdowns, while averaging 13.9 yards per reception.
While Brown’s production dipped slightly in 2020 upon Stefon Diggs’ arrival, his numbers would have placed him fourth among Giants receivers in yards, tied for the lead in touchdowns, and second in yards per reception.
For the right price, Brown’s big-play ability would be welcomed depth to the Giants’ receiving corps.
Marvin Jones
Jones is a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver, with a proven track record of production, and would certainly elevate the NY Giants’ vertical passing game.
Last season, Jones, 30, caught 76 passes for 978 yards and nine touchdowns. Jones caught at least nine touchdown passes three of the past four seasons.
One of the NFL’s most consistent receivers over the past decade, Jones has averaged 58 receptions for 859 yards over the past five years, and could develop into a favorite target of Daniel Jones because of his big-play ability and reliability.
Jones has said on multiple occasions that he hopes to play for a contender, and while the Giants might be a step away, adding him to this offense in the NFC East might be enough to lift New York to the postseason for the first time since 2016, particularly if he helps facilitate Daniel Jones taking the next step in his development.
Juju Smith-Schuster
Juju Smith-Schuster has emerged as one of the more exciting and electrifying young receivers in the game.
Last season, Smith-Schuster caught 97 passes for 831 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns, emerging as one of the game’s more reliable deep threats.
At age 23, Smith-Schuster has plenty of upside with the potential to anchor a receiving corps for the next four to five seasons.
There is expected to be a strong market for Smith-Schuster, but joining an offense that already features Saquon Barkley, Darius Slayton, Evan Engram, and Jones in the premier media market and a winnable division could be appealing to the 2017 second-round pick.
N’Keal Harry
Harry isn’t officially a free agent — yet — but could be released, if the New England Patriots are unable to find a trade partner in the coming days.
The Giants are certainly a team to watch here.
Giants head coach Joe Judge was the Patriots’ wide receivers and special teams coach prior to his hiring by New York last winter, so clearly has familiarity with Harry and was on the staff that drafted him in the first-round in 2019.
Harry has flashed tantalizing moments of brilliance, but has yet to live up to his first-round potential through his first two seasons.
Last season, Harry set career highs with 33 receptions for 309 yards and a pair of touchdowns, despite inconsistent quarterback play.
Harry, 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, has the ideal frame of a reliable red-zone target, with some speed and hands. First-round picks typically see strong markets if they become available, and if Judge believes he can bring out his upside, this reunion just might prove fruitful.
Corey Davis
There might not be a better schematic fit for the NY Giants at receiver than Davis.
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.
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.
Davis has also proven that he can be productive in a run-based offense, that the NY Giants are steadfastly committed to.
Now that he was not tagged by the Titans, don’t be surprised if the NY Giants are among the first teams to call during the legal tampering period.
Kenny Golladay
This one is a long-shot.
While receivers aren’t expected to break the bank, Golladay is the premier wide out to hit the open market, and will have several suitors, many of whom better positioned under the cap than the Giants.
Despite being injured for most of last season, Golladay caught 20 passes for 338 yards and a pair of touchdowns in five games, and is two seasons removed from a 65-catch and 1,190 yard campaign in which he caught 11 touchdowns.
If the NY Giants are shopping for an elite wide receiver to anchor a rebuild receiving corps, Golladay should be among the organization’s top free agent priorities. The biggest question will be whether the NY Giants can clear enough cap space prior to the new league-year beginning to be truly competitive in Golladay’s market.
Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.