The NY Giants entered free agency as an afterthought – not expected to be big players in the frenzy. That’s not the case now – the team filled glaring holes with stars after going shopping at the top of the market.
They set themselves up well – not just for the upcoming season, but the future as a whole. They intelligently structured their deals in ways that fit them under this year’s low salary cap number, with the idea that the number will balloon in the coming years.
After fans watched teams around the league manipulate the caps for years, it was a welcome change seeing the ‘old-school’ Giants’ front office do the same.
This years free agency haul feels different from 2016’s spending spree – one that famously blew up in the team’s face after the first season. General manager Dave Gettleman and coach Joe Judge worked together to find players who fit their team in every aspect before paying them – their scheme, identity and culture.
The NY Giants made a multitude of positive moves – but which ones stand above the rest?
Here’s a ranking of the NY Giants’ best moves in free agency
Honorable Mention: Low risk, high reward signings
This year, the front office made a point of bringing in players with talent who just didn’t fit the team they were drafted to. It’s an old trick that smart teams do – like Judge’s former employer, the New England Patriots.
It started when the Giants signed former ninth overall pick, wide receiver John Ross, to a one year, $2.5 million contract. Ross possesses blazing speed – he broke the record for the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in 2017, running a 4.22 in the event.
Injuries and inconsistent play led to him falling out of favor with the Cincinnati Bengals, but if the Giants’ offensive staff can bring out what made Ross so impressive at the University of Washington, $2.5 million is a steal.
The team also brought in a bevy of defensive stand-outs from one of Judge’s stops along his career – the University of Alabama. They bolstered their defensive depth with players like linebackers Reggie Ragland and Ryan Anderson.
Both players are familiar with the team’s newest defensive coach – former Alabama defensive coordinator, Jeremy Pruitt. Pruitt even recruited Anderson to Tuscaloosa – if he can help get the best out of his former players, the two signings may be as impactful as any.
The Giants banked on players who showed potential in their careers, but were yet to put all their intangibles together. Judge believes in his coaching staff – if they can get the most out of these low risk signings, the reward will be a team with talent to spare.
We’ve seen the Giants spend money in much worse ways.
3) Extending Leonard Williams
The saga that spanned over a year finally reached a resolution this off-season when the NY Giants signed their star defensive player, Leonard Williams, to an extension.
Williams’ earned every penny of his monster 3 year, $63 million deal. Gettleman believed in his ability and was vocal about it – the defensive star repaid that belief with a dominating 11.5 sack season in 2020.
After two franchise tags and negotiating that bled into the first day of free agency, the team finally did what they intended to since acquiring Williams from NY Jets – signing him long-term. At just 26 years old, he’ll be with the Giants during the prime years of his career – building on his career best season.
While he left a lot to be desired at first, the Giants’ defense couldn’t afford to lose the former first rounder. Williams was a game-wrecker last season – making everyone around him better in Patrick Graham’s defensive scheme.
The original trade sent shockwaves throughout the league, but the Giants’ now look like the winners – something that wasn’t originally the case. The team clearly values Williams – something they showed by giving him the most guaranteed money in franchise history with $45 million.
It’s a marriage that’s worked out so far – now Williams and the team can continue to grow and improve with each-other.
2) Signing Adoree’ Jackson
Gettleman has spent a multitude of draft capital rebuilding the Giants’ secondary since becoming the team’s general manager – let’s just say his free agent signings have been better. With the signing of corner Adoree’ Jackson, the Giants’ secondary has potential to be elite.
Already featuring James Bradberry, Jabrill Peppers, Logan Ryan, Darnay Holmes and Xavier McKinney, the one glaring hole in the secondary was the second outside corner position. Jackson’s addition doesn’t just fill that hole, but it’s someone who is a bonafide top corner when healthy.
Jackson started 41 of 46 games in his career for the Tennessee Titans before an injury ruined his 2020 season. When healthy, his numbers are up to par with some of the league’s top corners.
According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson’s cover-grade when lined up outside since 2018 is 85.6. That only trails three players – Jaire Alexander, Richard Sherman and Stephon Gilmore.
The former first round pick won’t even be asked to take on the opposing team’s best receiver – that’s a job reserved for Bradberry – the team’s pro bowl corner. With Jackson across from him, opposing quarterbacks will be hard-pressed to find an open receiver.
Jackson’s 3 year, $39 million contract looks like a bargain for a multitude of reasons – but the icing on the cake is keeping him away from division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. Instead of even taking his planned meeting with the Eagles, Jackson stayed in New York and signed with the Giants.
Perhaps there’s no better way to get on the fan’s good side than that.
Jackson’s impact will be immense – an outside corner was one of the NY Giants’ biggest needs, and they got the best on the market.
1) Signing Kenny Golladay
Gettleman made it his impetus to get quarterback Daniel Jones play-makers this off-season – enter Kenny Golladay.
The former Detroit Lions receiver has been the apple of the Giants’ general manager’s eye since rumors swirled about a trade at this year’s deadline. Gettleman wanted Golladay, and he wanted the NY Giants – it was a perfect match for the two sides.
After a meeting that spanned days, the team’s brass signed off on his medicals, attitude and fit – giving him a four year deal worth a maximum of $72 million. Now, the former Northern Illinois Husky will try to be to his quarterback what Plaxico Burress was for Jones’ predecessor, Eli Manning.
Burress came to the Giants through free agency in 2005 – immediately clicking with Manning on the field. The two famous connected for the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl 42, along with 35 other touchdowns as well.
Golladay brings to the team almost everything they were missing on offense. A downfield threat, a red-zone target, the ability to make contested catches – he’s one of the league’s best at all three.
At 27 years old, he comes to the Giants at the perfect time. Unlike the signing of Golden Tate years prior, the team is getting an ascending receiver who’s best days are right in-front of him – not in his rear-view.
The Giants’ offense as a whole will benefit from Golladay, but it can help catapult Jones to another stratosphere. The move looks a lot like one from last off-season – when the Buffalo Bills brought in receiver Stefon Diggs.
That move paid off huge, as the Bills ended up one game away from the Super Bowl.
The Giants made it their mission to get play-makers this off-season, to get Jones a top receiver. They did that by signing Golladay – and the immediate impact he’ll have makes it their best move of free agency.