4 free agents the NY Giants should stay away from this summer
By Lior Lampert
In what has been a busy offseason for Big Blue, training camp is almost here. However, there could be more moves on the way for NY Giants general managerJoe Schoen and the front office. What can fans expect?
Schoen has taken a hands-on approach with this team since his first day on the job, but has done so in an opportunistic fashion. Schoen knows when to strike while also showing a willingness to remain patient. With that being said, here are four free agents the Giants should stay away from this summer:
4. Running back Melvin Gordon
Saquon Barkley and the Giants seem to be at an impasse in their contract negotiations. So much so that the star running back hasn't ruled out the idea of sitting out the 2023 season. However, that hasn’t stopped Barkley from squatting ridiculous amounts of weight. He has a deadline of July 17 to reach a long-term agreement with the team or play the upcoming season under the franchise tag.
Last season, Barkley produced 1,650 yards from scrimmage, to go along with 10 touchdowns, on 352 combined touches. He was the true definition of a three-down, workhorse running back. He was the engine that drove the Giants' offense. Finding a player who is capable of coming in and stepping into that type of role this late in the offseason is a tall task if Barkley and the Giants can't come to terms by July 17.
Melvin Gordon, a former Pro Bowl running back, is available in free agency after a tumultuous season that started with the Broncos and ended with the Chiefs. With or without Barkley, the Giants would be wise to steer clear of Gordon. Gordon was in a nearly 50-50 timeshare with Javonte Williams in Denver before Williams suffered a torn ACL early in the season.
However, Gordon was not able to capitalize on the opportunity. The Broncos released him shortly thereafter and turned to NFL journeyman Latavius Murray and Chase Edmonds, who they just picked up from the Dolphins mid-season.
After his time with the Broncos ended in not-so-spectacular fashion, he signed a contract to join the Chiefs practice squad, where he won a Super Bowl ring without playing a single snap for the team. At 30 years of age, Gordon is coming off a season in which his rushing yards per attempt were the lowest it has been since he first entered the NFL in 2015. Gordon is on the back nine of his career and the Giants should allocate their finances elsewhere, regardless of Barkley's contract dispute with the team.