5 NY Giants moves Joe Schoen still has to make following the draft

With the NFL Draft in the books, the NY Giants roster ahead of the 2024 season is starting to take shape. However, plenty of moves will still be made with a long summer ahead, including trying to find some veterans to help out on both sides of the ball.

After a disappointing 2023 campaign in which the Giants finished 6-11 and third in the NFC East, there are plenty of questions surrounding the NFC East side ahead of Week 1. With that said, we've got five moves in mind for Joe Schoen to get done sooner rather than later.

5. Improve the special teams unit

The New York Giants' special teams unit ranked 23rd in the league last season, tied with the Carolina Panthers. After finishing in the bottom third of the league in 2023, the G-Men fired special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey after six seasons with the organization. 

The Giants hired Michael Ghobrial this offseason, who most recently served as the New York Jets' assistant special teams coordinator. He was previously the special teams coordinator for Hawaii and Washington State at the collegiate level before joining the Jets in 2021. While adding Ghobrial to the coaching staff was a much-needed move by Schoen and the Giants, the team still has more work to do to improve its special teams unit.

This season, the Giants will retain kicker Graham Gano, punter Jamie Gillan, and long snapper Casey Kreiter. While Gano will return to the Giants next season, his age and injury history are concerning. The Giants used three kickers in 2023 because of Gano's season-ending knee injury. The Giants won't change much next season, but they must address the returner positions.

Last season, Parris Campbell was the Giants' most productive kickoff returner despite averaging 23.9 yards on eight returns. With Campbell leaving the Giants this offseason in free agency for the Philadelphia Eagles, somebody will need to step up and fill that role. We can expect Isaiah McKenzie, Gunner Olszewski, and Eric Gray to compete for opportunities. Still, the Giants must improve the special teams unit as a whole before the 2024 season.

4. Add depth for the defensive line

One area the Giants have addressed this offseason has been the defensive line with the addition of Brian Burns, who was dealt to Big Blue from the Carolina Panthers earlier this offseason. The Giants returned the No. 39 pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick in exchange. Having Burns line up next to Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence excites many Giants fans, but the team could always add more depth.

The Giants could target defensive end Calais Campbell. Campbell is a six-time Pro Bowler and likely future Hall of Famer. The veteran defensive lineman is a member of the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2010s and, at age 37, is still highly productive. Last season with the Atlanta Falcons, Campbell had 6.5 sacks, 56 total tackles, one pass defended, and one forced fumble.

He also recorded his 100th career sack in Week 6 against the Washington Commanders. The veteran defensive end would not cost Big Blue too much, and the Giants could sign him short-term. While the defensive line is no longer a priority for the G-Men this offseason, there are plenty of d-linemen still available to sign. Perhaps a move to help Lawrence on the interior could be in play too?

3. Beef up the offensive line

There are never enough offensive linemen, which was proven last season by the New York Giants, whose o-line ranked 30th, just ahead of the Tennesee Titans and the New York Jets. The G-Men also suffered several injuries on the line and lacked depth in several areas. Due to the lack of pass block and overall protection, Giants quarterbacks Daniel Jones, Tyrod Taylor, and Tommy DeVito did not benefit from the depleted offensive line and suffered injuries. 

The Giants countered last season's poor performance on the offensive line by hiring new offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo from the Las Vegas Raiders. The G-Men also signed veterans Jon Runyan and Jermaine Eluemunor in free agency. The Giants' starting front currently consists of Andrew Thomas, Aaron Stinnie, John Michael Schmitz Jr., Jon Runyan, and Evan Neal, but there's still time to sign another offensive lineman. The Giants did not draft any offensive linemen this year, so adding one more player in free agency is not out of the realm of possibility.

One player the Giants should pursue is guard Greg Van Roten, who most recently played with the Raiders. The veteran is a Long Island native and played at Chaminade in high school, but his New York roots are not the only reason the Giants should sign him. Van Roten has an existing relationship with Bricillo and Eluemunor from their time together in Las Vegas. The 34-year-old OL would be an excellent fit for Big Blue and would provide tremendous experience to the team. 

2. Part ways with TE Darren Waller

Schoen and the Giants will have to evaluate veteran tight end Darren Waller's situation this offseason. The 31-year-old TE joined the team last season after five campaigns with the Las Vegas Raiders and has dealt with several injuries throughout his career. The former Pro Bowl tight end appeared in 12 games last year with the G-Men, where he had 52 receptions, 552 yards, and a touchdown, but now Waller is deciding whether or not he would like to call it a career. 

The Giants have already taken action by selecting Penn State tight end Theo Johnson in the fourth round of this year's NFL Draft. The three-year starter with the Nittany Lions brings an athletic profile with great size and run-blocking abilities. Johnson also provides long-range speed and makes contested catches. The addition makes a lot of sense for the New York Giants, especially given the uncertainty surrounding Waller's future in New York. 

The Giants also have Daniel Bellinger rostered, who has shown glimpses of success since joining the team in 2022. Last season, he registered 25 catches and 255 yards, and in the previous season, he had 30 receptions, 268 yards, and two touchdowns. Could the third-year tight end be next in line for a starting role with Big Blue? 

The Giants also signed veteran tight end Jack Stoll this offseason, who previously played with the Philadelphia Eagles for three seasons. Well, it seems the team is preparing as if Waller will be announcing his retirement shortly. Now that the Giants have depth at the tight end position, could they just part ways with the veteran instead of waiting for him to decide on his career? 

The Giants would save about $6 million if they cut him, which they could use towards signing a veteran offensive lineman, defensive lineman, or even running back. The team has been previously linked to Kareem Hunt, a free agent after stepping in for Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb, who suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2 last season.

1. Extend WR Darius Slayton

Darius Slayton's contract is the most significant move that Schoen and the Giants organization must focus on before next season. The 27-year-old WR has been with the Giants since he was drafted by the team in 2019 in the fifth round. He has been the team's leading receiver in four of the past five years, including last season, where he had 50 receptions, 770 yards, and four touchdowns on a disappointing Giants' offense.

After signing a two-year, $12.2 million contract before the 2023 season, the veteran wideout will be a free agent after this upcoming season. Slayton is now seeking a second extension from Big Blue; however, he has not received the deal he believes he deserves and has not participated in any team activities this offseason.

While most players reported to the start of the Giants offseason workout program, one notable absence was Slayton. The wideout's decision to hold out of practice has raised eyebrows and sparked speculation about his contract negotiations. Slayton has a $350,000 workout bonus available based on his attendance, but he's more focused on a new deal.

Many believed Slayton would've been dealt during the NFL Draft last week after the Giants selected LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers in the first round. It is still being determined whether or not Giants fans will get to see No. 86 take the field for the G-Men in 2024, but you have to imagine Schoen will eventually extend Slayton and keep him in New York a little longer.