NY Giants complete roster breakdown pre-free agency
Quarterbacks
On the roster: Daniel Jones ($7.17 million), Clayton Thorson ($663,000), Joe Webb ($850,500)
Need: Minimal.
Given the NY Giants’ commitment to Jones, there is little reason to carry three quarterbacks on the roster, especially given the bevvy of other holes that need filled this offseason. However, if the NY Giants aim to bring back Colt McCoy or add another veteran backup, it could be an uphill battle for Thorson to make the roster.
Running backs
On the roster: Saquon Barkley ($10.02 million), Elijaa Penny ($999,000), Taquan Mizzell ($853,500), Jordan Chunn ($660,000)
Need: Moderate.
Depending on the market Wayne Gallman finds in the early days of free agency, there is a high likelihood he returns on a one-year contract, especially given his strong performance late last season and that he won over the coaching staff in 2020. Given Saquon Barkley’s suddenly lengthy injury history, finding an adequate complement and insurance policy via free agency or the NFL Draft should be on the NY Giants’ radar.
Wide receivers
On the roster: Sterling Shepard ($9 million), Dante Pettis ($1.32 million), Darius Slayton ($908,721), Austin Mack ($780,000), Alex Bachman ($666,500), Derrick Dillon ($663,000), C.J. Board (unknown), David Sills ($660,000).
Need: Extremely-high.
The NY Giants must make adding a legitimate No. 1 receiver a top organizational priority both via free agency and through the NFL Draft, not just to facilitate Daniel Jones taking the next step in his development, but to field an offense capable of stretching the field and dictating to defenses. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Giants use their limited cap resources to shop at the top of the receiver market, and then choose a receiver sometime in the first two rounds of April’s NFL Draft.
Tight ends
On the roster: Evan Engram ($6.013 million), Levine Toilolo ($1.6 million), Kaden Smith ($850,000), Rysen John ($662,500), Nakie Griffin-Stewart ($660,000).
Need: Moderate
The NY Giants say they are fully committed and confident in Evan Engram, but how they handle the veteran tight end coming off a disappointing season but his first Pro Bowl berth will be far more telling than their words. Extending Engram to lower his cap number should rank high on GM Dave Gettleman’s to do list, especially given the organization’s limited cap space, but until pen is put to paper, Engram remains a possible cap casualty. Look for tight end to be a position the Giants aim to add depth at during the NFL Draft. If Florida’s Kyle Pitts slides to No. 11, it’s difficult to envision him falling any further. Likewise, if Penn State’s Pat Freiermuth is on the board in Round 2, he would be an ideal fit in the NY Giants’ scheme.
Offensive line
On the roster: Nate Solder ($16.5 million), Andrew Thomas ($7.35 million), Nick Gates ($3.32 million), Will Hernandez ($3.05 million), Jonatthan Harrison ($1.2 million), Matt Peart ($1.022 million), Chad Slade ($927,000), Shane Lemieux ($866,785), Kenny Wiggins ($853,500), Jackson Barton ($850,000), Kyle Murphy ($780,000),
Need: High
** UPDATE **
The NY Giants agreed to re-structure Nate Solder’s contract, with the expectation being that his cap number will decrease significantly, perhaps as low as $3 million per season.
Now four years into Dave Gettleman’s tenure as general manager, the NY Giants’ offensive line is no closer to a finished product today than it was in 2018. Andrew Thomas is a nice piece at left tackle, but he needs to consistently be the player he was over the second half of the season in 2021 and beyond. There is a legitimate chance that there are three new starters along the offensive line Week 1 from the group that opened the 2020 season. That underscores just how far away this line is from being complete, and this team is from legitimately contending.