NFL free agency: NY Giants to host star WR Kenny Golladay for visit, per source
The NY Giants are shopping at the top shelf of the NFL free agency market, and plan on hosting former Detroit Lions star wide receiver Kenny Golladay for a free agent visit, according to an NFL Network report.
Multiple sources tell GMenHQ that Golladay will meet with the NY Giants and go through medical medical testing prior to he and his representatives meeting with the organization.
There has been interest on both sides, GMenHQ has learned through league conversations, in the past several days. However, the two sides have decided to meet before hammering out any formal contract.
Gollday is widely viewed as the premier wide receiver to hit the open market, after the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers used the franchise tag to retain Allen Robinson and Chris Godwin, respectively.
Tuesday, the NY Giants came to terms on a one-year contract with John Ross, but that move has always felt more like a piece to a rebuild at wide receiver, rather than a centerpiece of it.
Last season, Golladay caught 20 passes for 338 yards and two touchdowns, but suffered through hip and hamstring injuries that kept him to just five games in 2020.
Back in 2019, the last season Golladay was fully healthy, he caught 65 passes for 1,190 yards and 11 touchdowns as Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford produced a 107.9 passer rating when targeting him and he averaged 4.7 yards after the catch per reception.
It isn’t surprising to see the Giants pursuing the top wide receiver available, after New York’s receiving corps regressed last season as Sterling Shepard led the team with just 66 receptions for 656 yards and three touchdowns, and the organization is intent on bolstering the supporting cast of Daniel Jones as the quarterback enters his pivotal third NFL season.
While the NY Giants will seemingly get the first crack at signing Golladay, his market is expected to be strong. Multiple reports say the Miami Dolphins are also interested in Golladay. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Dianna Russini reports that Golladay has received an offer from the Cincinnati Bengals, which could force the Giants to sign him without allowing him to leave East Rutherford.
Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.