As has been expected for some time now, standout cornerback James Bradberry has played his final down with the NY Giants. According to Giants insider Dan Duggan of The Athletic, the team has informed Bradberry that he won’t be back next season. With the team releasing the 6-foot-1, 210-pounder, New York has created $10.1 million in cap space, though it would become $11.5 million if it’s a June 1 cut.
This was obviously a needed move for the Giants, as general manager Joe Schoen and Co. simply couldn’t afford his cap hit of $21.8 million for this upcoming season. Now that Bradberry has been cut, Schoen will be working overtime to make some needed moves for the team leading up to camp. A few ideas certainly jump out.
The Giants are releasing CB James Bradberry after failing to find a trade partner, per source. The move will create $10.1M in cap savings while leaving $11.7M in dead money.
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) May 9, 2022
(Savings will be $11.5M with $10.4M dead this year and $1.4M dead in 2023 if they make it a June 1 cut)
Evan Neal and Kayvon Thibodeaux NY Giants contracts are the priority
To start, Schoen will now look to get both first-round picks Evan Neal and Kayvon Thibodeaux to put the pen to paper for their rookie contracts. We’re seeing first-rounders start to make things official with their teams, including Aidan Hutchinson inking with the Detroit Lions on Monday morning. Now, Giants fans are ready for Neal and Thibodeaux to do the same.
With the Bradberry news, it opens the door for Schoen to speed things up a little bit in getting the money on the table for his new playmakers. Thibodeaux and Neal are of course the priority, but Schoen will also be ready to get things over the line with the other draft picks as well. The sooner he can get this done, the better.
Giants must bring in a new cornerback for depth purposes
The loss of Bradberry is massive for this defense, there’s no denying that. He was a Pro Bowler in 2020 and followed things up with a strong campaign in 2021. With Bradberry gone and ready to find a new home, Schoen needs to go out and either sign a veteran cornerback or trade for one to come in.
There’s been plenty of rumors surrounding the future of wide receiver Darius Slayton. Slayton could be another player to be released in the near future. Instead of simply cutting him, the Giants would be wise to try and trade him for a cornerback.
Adoree’ Jackson and Aaron Robinson look to be the leaders of the group, while Darnay Holmes and CorDale Flott will be ready to make noise in the slot. Other than them, there’s not a ton of experience behind them. Another CB is needed and it will be on Schoen to help the group out as a whole.