The NFL's free agency period started Monday, and teams seemed to make deals left and right. The New York Giants were no exception. With the likes of tight end Isaiah Likely and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds headlining the Big Blue's early moves, the John Harbaugh Era is off to a fast start.
In his latest article, CBS Sports' Zachary Pereles graded the Giants' start to free agency a B. This is an accurate assessment of how things have gone. Likely serves as a massive upgrade and "replacement" of Daniel Bellinger. Edmunds is a huge boost to what was a pretty awful linebacker corps. Plus, the G-Men re-signed Jermaine Eluemenor to keep the offensive line intact.
They also addressed their need at safety, signing Ar'Darius Washington, and finally got a real kicker in Jason Sanders. Greg Newsome II is an ideal replacement for Cor'Dale Flott, who bolted for Tennessee, and Patrick Ricard, paired with Cam Skattebo, makes the Giants' backfield potentially the most entertaining in football. Unfortunately, they were priced out of Tyler Linderbaum and Alijah Vera-Tucker, who would have been amazing adds and probably boosted this grade to an A, but otherwise, it's been a great start to free agency, and they have no reason to stop now.
The Giants end to free agency could influence how they draft
Since the article came out, even more moves have been made in the Meadowlands. One of the more significant ones was finding a Wan'Dale Robinson replacement in Calvin Austin III. They needed another slot guy and got a solid one. But it is interesting that they went after Austin and seemingly didn't make a play for Romeo Doubs.
Doubs would have been the certified No. 2 receiver alongside Nabers, whereas Austin would have been the No. 3. This suggests Carnell Tate or Jordan Tyson could be the pick when they draft in April.
The Giants brass knows what their receiver room looks like, and with how deep this receiver class is, it wouldn't be surprising if the draft is where they find their No. 2. If there isn't another move for safety, don't be surprised if Caleb Downs is the pick if he's still on the board. If he is still available at No. 5, he would be regarded as the best player regardless of position, and the Giants may go that way.
Addressing a big need in round one and capitalizing on how deep the receiver class is in the second round might be their move, too.
There are still moves the Big Blue can make, especially after restructuring Brian Burns' contract, and these next moves will be telling of the Giants' draft plans.