With the NY Giants set to have well over $50 million in cap space for next season, there is a good chance we see general manager Joe Schoen spend a good chunk of that in order to fill some of the positional holes on the roster.
As good as the Giants have been in 2022, there are still plenty of issues on both sides of the ball. Offensively the team is going to need to find more options at receiver alongside potentially bringing in a new guard or center. As for the defense, the Giants not only have arguably the worst linebacker core in the league, but their secondary is rather weak.
All in all, Schoen is going to be a busy man trying to improve this roster. With that said, here’s a look at four offseason free agents to keep in mind for 2023:
4. WR D.J. Chark
While it has been a rough couple of seasons for Chark due to injuries, there are no doubts that the talent is there. If he can remain healthy, the Giants should do all they can to bring in the 26 year old in the coming offseason.
Considering how interested the Giants seemingly are in Odell Beckham Jr., it may be a better idea to give that sort of contract to a younger, healthier player. Chark will likely cost less than Beckham, and if he can remain healthy he can bring so much to this Giants offense.
The Giants have had massive issues with wide receiver health in the last few years and while Chark may not have the cleanest bill of health, signing him to a one or two-year deal may not be the worst idea if they Giants do not wish to draft a receiver in the first three rounds.
Chark is a very talented receiver who has been held back by injuries – we really think signing Chark to a one-year deal will help the team immensely. By the time the Giants pick in the first round, there may be no receivers worth taking so high. If this is the case, they need to find potential options in free agency and Chark may be their best bet.
3. LB Tremaine Edmunds
As things currently stand, the Giants defense is going to continue to fail with how poor their linebackers are. A core of Jaylon Smith, Micah McFadden and Tae Crowder has proven time and time again that they are not good enough to make an impact.
Maybe Darrian Beavers can come in and become the star he looked like during the preseason, however, that is a lot to bet on a sixth-round pick. Even if Beavers pans out, he is going to need someone with him to man the gap.
With that in mind we think Tremaine Edmunds would be a perfect fit on the Giants defense if they are able to snag him away from the Bills. Edmunds is a valuable piece to their defense, so it may be difficult to sign him, however, the Bills are set to be $7 million over the cap next season.
In addition to this, Schoen was the assistant GM when Edmunds was drafted in 2018, so they have a connection. Edmunds is a tremendous all-around linebacker, the kind of talent the Giants need. Not only is he tremendous in the run game, but his ability in coverage is extremely underrated. If the Giants can bring him in, he would instantly improve the Giants defense at a ridiculous level.
Through nine games this season, Edmunds has racked up 67 combined tackles, 29 stops, and has also allowed just 203 yards and one TD on a 68.3% completion percentage. This is levels better than anything the Giants have had at linebacker this season.
2. RB Miles Sanders
With the Eagles set to lose multiple key players in free agency next season with just $8 million in cap space, the team could let a player like Miles Sanders go in order to bring back guys in more important positions.
If the Giants decide to let Saquon Barkley go in free agency this offseason, bringing in Sanders may not be a terrible idea, and he’ll certainly be cheaper. Through 12 games, Sanders has run the ball 187 times for 924 yards and 9 TDs, Obviously it’s easier to run behind one of the best offensive lines in all of football, however, Sanders is certainly talented enough to get it done on the Giants.
It may be better to simply bring Barkley back, however, the Giants have a lot of other positions that need filling, so saving a couple million could do the team well. To steal a talented player like Sanders from a division rival would be fantastic, but obviously it would hurt to lose Barkley.
Who knows what Schoen’s plan with Barkley is, whether he re-signs him, franchise tags him, or simply lets Barkley go, we’re sure Schoen will put something together in order to make the team better.
1. CB Jonathan Jones
In recent games, the Giants have not only learned how valuable Adoree’ Jackson is, but just how weak the secondary is without him, which is why they must sign a new corner in the offseason to play alongside him and potentially Fabian Moreau.
Jones has been one of the more solid corners in the NFL this season for the New England Patriots and would make a massive impact on this struggling Giants defense. In 11 games played this season, Jones has racked up 40 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and three pass breakups. In addition to this, Jones has allowed just 29 completions on 50 targets for 367 yards and four TDs.
While the four TDs allowed is slightly concerning, it is only two more than Jackson, who has played in one less game. In addition to this, the four interceptions is something for Giants fans to be excited about, as the entire team has just four on the season.
Jones likely wouldn’t be too pricey, and would make a massive impact on this Giants defense that so desperately needs help in the secondary. While there may be better options this offseason, the price Jones will command and impact he’ll make will go perfectly with one another.
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