Sign helpful veterans via. Free Agency:
One of the biggest difference-makers for the Bengals this season has to be the veterans they signed during the off-season. Players like Mike Hilton and Chidobe Awuzie made a huge difference in their secondary this season.
Even players they signed last year like D.J Reader and Vonn Bell have both been huge to their defense. With Vonn Bell forming a dynamic safety duo with Jessie Bates, and D.J Reader being one of the better nose tackles in the NFL.
The New York Giants have struggled in free agency recently, with Nate Solder being possibly one of the worst free-agent signings in NFL history, James Bradberry having a bad year this season, and guys like Kenny Golladay not living up to their contract thus far.
Both Mike Hilton and Chidobe Awuzie are being paid less than $8 million per season and had a higher PFF grade than James Bradberry this season. While yes, PFF is not everything, it certainly does not look very good.
What may have been the biggest difference-maker for the Bengals the last couple of seasons was Vonn Bell, who is making around $6 million annually. The two-headed monster of Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates has been tremendous all season, while Bates has not been as good as he has in the past, Vonn Bell had himself a very solid season, not to mention the fact that he caught the game-sealing interception against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship.
If the New York Giants want to succeed they must begin to sign Free Agents who can actually help the team win games.