With both the NFL Draft and the initial rush of free agency coming and going, the New York Giants roster looks drastically different than it did at the end of the season. They have added players on both sides of the ball who will instantly help this squad become better. However, there are still a few areas where they are lacking both depth and overall experience.
The offensive and defensive line, alongside the linebacker group, could still stand to add more experienced players. A veteran presence could help develop many of the younger players in these positions.
With so many experienced players still available in free agency, there are several options for the Giants. While they don’t currently have a ton of cap space remaining, and will need money heading into the regular season, many of these players could be in search of a cheaper, one-year deal.
Here are four free agents the Giants could add
4. Center J.C. Tretter
The Giants have made their offensive line a point of focus this offseason. In what was their weakest group in 2021, they now have a more than capable unit heading into 2022. They have added players like Evan Neal, Mark Glowinski and Jon Feliciano, who will all come in and be improvements over what they had last season. But, they could still find ways to get even better.
Enter veteran center J.C. Tretter. Tretter has been one of the more dominant centers in the NFL since he was drafted in 2014. While he is about to enter Year 9, he has shown no signs of slowing down. His 2021 season showed just how good he can still be. In his final year with the Cleveland Browns, he posted an offensive grade of 78.7 according to PFF. More impressively, he posted a pass-blocking grade of 83.7. He finished last season allowing just one sack and 10 total pressures while playing in 1,039 offensive snaps.
The Giants already found their center for 2022 when they signed Feliciano, but there is still a lack of depth. There is also a case to be made that Tretter is an improvement over Feliciano. If the Giants were to add him, it would also allow for Feliciano to slide over to the left guard, a position in which he has years of professional experience. It would also help solidify their offensive line even more. They would have an experience at each interior position, with their tackles of the future on the outside.
2. Defensive tackle Malik Jackson
The Giants have solidified the edges of their defensive line with players such as Kayvon Thibodeaux, Leonard Williams, and Azeez Ojulari, but the interior could still be addressed. At the moment, it is led by Dexter Lawrence, but there is a lack of depth past him.
So, 11-year veteran Malik Jackson could be the perfect addition. Jackson has been one of the more consistent defensive tackles in the NFL since he entered the league in 2012. He has started 89 games in his career and has played in a total of 142.
Throughout his time in the NFL, Jackson has recorded 292 total tackles, 63 tackles for loss, 35.5 sacks and 106 quarterback hits. He started 16 games for the Cleveland Browns in 2021 and played a total of 646 defensive snaps. He finished the season with a total of 26 tackles, 0.5 sacks and 26 total pressures.
The addition of Jackson would bring much-needed depth and a veteran aspect that the interior group may be missing. Jackson has experienced the highs of the NFL, including a Super Bowl victory. He has also been extremely healthy during his time in the NFL. He has played at least 14 games in each year of his career besides one. While Jackson may not be an every-down defender, the Giants don’t need him to be that. Having him as a rotational piece could be the perfect way to compliment this young group.
3. Linebacker Kwon Alexander
The Giants added two linebackers in last month’s draft, but the addition of another could still be a possibility. With Blake Martinez coming off of a torn ACL, they could still be on the search for one more veteran to add to the group. Veteran linebacker Kwon Alexander could be the sort of player that this team is looking for.
Alexander has been a solid linebacker since entering the league in 2015. He has racked up 521 total tackles, 43 tackles for loss, 10 forced fumbles, and eight interceptions throughout his career. He has also been a force when it comes to getting to the quarterback, recording 76 career pressures and 14 sacks.
Alexander’s 2021 season was on par with what he has done throughout the rest of his career. In his first full year with the New Orleans Saints, he was used more in pass rush than he ever had been before. This led to him reaching a career-high in quarterback pressures with 17. He also recorded the second-most sacks of his career with four. He finished the season with 50 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, and one interception. He did this while playing in just 12 total games.
While much of the playing time could fall to players like Darrian Beavers and Mitch McFadden, having a player like Alexander on the roster could be highly beneficial. He has played the linebacker position well for a long time now. His work both in coverage and at getting after the passer is something that the young players could learn from.
1. Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
The Giants’ 2022 season will already be interesting. Why not add another piece to the puzzle? The return of Odell Beckham Jr. would only be exciting and must-watch TV, but it could also help elevate this offense even more. With the old regime that pushed Beckham away finally gone, and Beckham himself coming back from a Torn ACL, the pairing could be beneficial to both parties.
In recent years, the Giants have already invested heavily into the wide receiver position. The addition of Wan’Dale Robinson in last month’s draft only adds to what is already a good-looking wide receiver room. But, Beckham brings a flare and influence to the game that is just meant for New York. And he has also proven that he can still get work done in the field.
Beckham finished the 2021 season with 44 receptions, 537 receiving yards, and five receiving touchdowns. He averaged 12.2 yards per reception and had just four drops on 82 total targets. Looking at his season even deeper, you see that much of his overall success came once he joined the Los Angeles Rams. He looked like a different player in the eight games that he played with that team.
Putting Beckham into an offense full of so many other strong offensive pieces could allow for him to have a dominant season in 2022. He won’t have to deal with the opposing team’s CB1 and will be left to do what he does best, make big plays. It will also give quarterback Daniel Jones another explosive weapon in what could be his final season with the Giants.
The addition of Beckham isn’t the most likely option, and the Giants may very well believe that their wide receiver unit is already set. But with Beckham returning from injury, he may be looking to sign a team-friendly deal. Why not let that be with the team that started it all?