New York Giants: 5 surprise cuts Joe Schoen could make

New York Giants RB Devontae Booker

The last of the candidates on this list is 2021 Giants newcomer Devontae Booker. By most accounts, Booker had a solid season as the backup to Saquon Barkley, including a brief stretch filling in for him during the middle of the season.

Cutting Booker would save the Giants $2.125 million while carrying a dead cap of $1 million. It may seem strange to cut a quality backup on a cheap deal, but the fact of the matter is there aren’t many avenues the Giants can go down to save money. The devaluing of the running back position has especially picked up over the last few years, which could lead Schoen to find that replacing Booker’s production could come at an even cheaper cost.

Schoen has already signed 24-year old running back Antonio Williams to a reserves/futures contract, adding to the team’s depth. Turning 30 in May, Booker doesn’t present a whole lot of upside, even for as cheap of a deal as the 2-year, $5.5 million he was signed for last offseason. Comparatively, 26-year old running back James Conner was signed to a 1-year, $1.75 million deal last offseason by the Cardinals, and he went on to have a Pro Bowl season.

Obviously, it’s difficult to find a diamond in the rough like Conner. Regardless, Schoen may cut Booker and opt to elevate Williams, Gary Brightwell or a 2022 draftee into a bigger role, and use the savings towards improving the offensive line.

Plausibility: Somewhat Low