In his second season leading the New York Giants into free agency, general nanager Joe Schoen has made it clear that he is looking to construct the best roster that he can. Following the move to extend quarterback Daniel Jones and franchise tag running back Saquon Barkley, Schoen and the Giants attacked free agency. With the trade to acquire Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller, and the signing of Indianapolis Colts linebacker Bobby Okereke, the team has already added elite playmakers.
But, Schoen could have chosen to approach free agency differently. By targeting other players, and giving out different contracts, this team could look drastically different and not in a good way. Here’s a look at four guys Schoen and Co. were smart to stay away from:
4: Browns DT Dalvin Tomlinson
During the four seasons that defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson spent with the Giants, he became a fan-favorite. Over 64 games with the team, he recorded 207 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits, and eight sacks.
Following his departure from the Giants, Tomlinson landed with the Minnesota Vikings. During his two years with the team, he played well. As he hit free agency, he was rewarded with a strong contract.
Tomlinson agreed to a four-year deal worth up to $57 million with the Cleveland Browns. For the level that he has played at, this deal makes sense. But for a Giants team that is looking to improve the defensive front, this is not the type of contract that they could have afforded to give out.
During the Combine, Schoen stated that the team will look to add depth on the defensive front. Targeting a player of Tomlinson’s caliber could have been an option. But instead, they targeted a depth piece on a much more affordable option. This comes with the addition of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches.
3. Jets WR Allen Lazard
With Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers potentially headed to the New York Jets, the team opted to bring in one of his favorite pass-catchers. This came with signing wide receiver Allen Lazard to a four-year deal worth up to $44 million.
During his time with the Packers, Lazard showed potential. Over five seasons, he recorded 169 receptions for 2,326 receiving yards and 20 total touchdowns. This past season, his first year as the team’s WR1, Lazard played well, but he didn’t put together the season that many thought he would. In total, he finished the campaign recording 60 receptions for 788 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
With the signing of Campbell, and the return of both Daris Slayton and Sterling Shepard, the Giants have addressed the wide receiver room. But they are still without a legitimate WR1. The addition of Lazard would not have addressed that.
Locking in a receiver on a four-year deal worth this type of money may not have been the best option for this offense. Specifically, when looking at how the wide receiver market played out, there could have been better options more suitable for this team.
2. Panthers TE Hayden Hurst
This year’s free agent class was full of veteran tight ends. Now, almost a week into the new league year, many of these players remained unsigned. Before the move to acquire Waller, many thought the Giants could look to add one of these playmakers.
The most notable free agent tight end to receive a long-term deal so far has been Hayden Hurst. The former Cincinnati Bengals tight end signed a three-year deal worth up to $21.75 million with Carolina.
Hurst has been a reliable option at the tight end position since being drafted in 2018. Over his five NFL seasons, he has recorded 177 receptions for 1,718 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns.
If the Giants were looking to add a tight end through free agency, Hurst could have been a potential option. But the move to acquire Waller is more fitting to what this team needs.
With no WR1 yet on the roster, Waller could help fill that void. With his size and speed, he can stretch the field in a way that few Giants in recent history have been able to. His fit to the roster is more aligned with what the team needs over what Hurst would have brought to the table.
1. Bears LB Tremaine Edmunds
Arguably the Giants biggest need heading into free agency was the linebacker position. Former Buffalo Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds was not only the biggest linebacker name available, but arguably the biggest name in this year’s free agent class.
Schoen and Brian Daboll, who both have connections with the Bills, could have targeted a familiar face in Edmunds. At just 24 years old, he already has five years of experience and has developed into an elite talent on defense.
Instead of targeting Edmunds, the Giants elected to add Okereke. The former Colts defender was given the second-biggest linebacker contract of this year’s group, earning $40 million over four seasons. This deal will still cost the Giants $32 million less than if they had brought in Edmunds.
For what the Giants were looking for at the position, Okereke could be a remarkable signing. He is a high-volume tackler who has proven that he can lead a defense. With his talent, the team has addressed their biggest need, while also managing to save money.
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