In his first season with the New York Giants, Joe Schoen made all the right moves. He was quickly able to turn around a roster full of holes, and put together a group that was able to make the playoffs. Now heading into the 2023 offseason, Schoen will once again look to make the roster even better.
The Giants are set to have just over $44 million to spend in free agency. While much of this could go to re-signing players already on the roster, this team could still look to free up more money. This would come by moving on from some of the key players already on the roster.
This roster is full of young talent, with many of them on rookie deals. By releasing veteran players, and freeing up space, this team could be major players in the coming months. Here are four players the Giants could cut to clear cap space:
4. CB Darnay Holmes
Heading into the 2022 campaign, expectations were high for second-cornerback Darnay Holmes. Unfortunately, in his expanded role, he struggled to find success.
Holmes appeared in 15 games this past season while earning two starts. In total, he recorded 38 total tackles, two tackles for loss, eight defended passes and one forced fumble. While Holmes played well at times, he also had a fair share of problems, especially with penalties. In total, he was flagged nine times, including six defensive holdings.
The Giants secondary is in search of proven talent, and moving on from Holmes could be a risk. But by releasing him, this front office would free up nearly $2.75 million in cap space. In addition, they would take on just under $200,000 in dead money.
This decision may not be an easy one for the front office. But, it could very well be an option if they are looking to free up space.
3. OG Mark Glowinski
The Giants have quickly assembled a strong roster on both sides of the ball, but one of the biggest areas that they still must improve is the interior of the offensive line.
Prior to the 2022 season, the front office took major strides in improving this group. This came with the additions of Mark Glowinski and Jon Feliciano. Unfortunately, both players somewhat struggled to consistently find their footing in their first year with the team.
Now with Feliciano set to hit free agency, the Giants could also move on from Glowinski. By releasing the soon-to-be 31-year-old guard, this team would free up $8.65 million in cap space. This could be immediately used to improve the group by adding depth to the position.
Cutting Glowinski would not be an easy decision. At times this season, he was a force on the offensive line. However, if the team is looking to give opportunities to their younger players at the position, it could very well be a move they look to make.
2. CB Adoree’ Jackson
When healthy, cornerback Adoree’ Jackson has been the leader of the Giants secondary. Since his arrival in 2021, he has been arguably the most productive member of the group. But that has only been the case when he has remained healthy. And unfortunately for this Giants defense, he has at times struggled to stay on the field.
Over the past two seasons, Jackson played in 23 total games. During the 2021 campaign, he missed four games, and in 2022, he missed seven. In his absence, the Giants secondary struggled. When playing, he has been highly productive. With just one year remaining on his contract, the Giants could look to move on now. By releasing Jackson, they’d be freeing up nearly $9 million in space.
For a team with several needs to still address, and a draft class full of talent in the secondary, this could be the sort of move that they need to make. They could immediately address the position.
1. Kenny Golladay
Unfortunately for both the Giants and wide receiver Kenny Golladay, this pairing has not worked out. Arguably the biggest signing in the history of the franchise lasted just two seasons. And now the two sides look to move on.
Throughout the 2022 season, Golladay was relegated to the bench. He appeared in just 12 games and played a total of just 261 snaps. When on the field, Golladay’s production was nearly non-existent. He recorded a total of six receptions for 81 receiving yards and one touchdown. This was a drastic drop off to even his lackluster 2021 campaign.
The option to move on from Golladay, while not ideal, is all but necessary. By cutting the veteran wide receiver before June 1, the Giants will free up $6.7 million in cap space. If he is released post-June 1, the team will free up $13.5 million, while taking on a $7.9 million dead cap in 2023 and $6.8 million in 2024.
Heading into the offseason, addressing the wide receiver position was already a major need for the Giants. By releasing Golladay, they could have more to spend on bringing in a proven pass-catcher.
4 players the NY Giants must avoid in Round 1 of the NFL Draft
There's a lot of pressure on NY Giants GM Joe Schoen to make the right first-round pick, but he shouldn't even think about these four players.