The offseason has been interesting already for the NY Giants, but things are about to reach a new level for general manager Joe Schoen. That's because the NFL Combine is here and countless prospects are going to look to turn heads across the board. Schoen will obviously speak to reporters and answer a lot of questions that people have on their minds.
Following the Combine, the NFL Draft will sneak up on everyone even more, as late April feels like it's right around the corner. Having said that, here are the main topics of conversation we have on our mind that we'd love Schoen to discuss in the coming days:
4. Is Daniel Jones really the starting quarterback of the future for this team?
To start things off, Daniel Jones' status with this team moving forward is totally up in the air. Danny Dimes looked sharp in 2022, leading the G-Men to a 9-7-1 record and a trip to the postseason for the first time since 2016. The Wild Card Round win over the Vikings was downright electric, with Jones making plays with his arm and wheels.
However, everything that could have gone wrong for Jones this past season did. The neck injury was one thing, but his torn ACL in Week 9 against the Raiders was heartbreaking. Jones just couldn't stay healthy and his long injuries list is a growing concern for Schoen and Brian Daboll. Schoen has said the plan is for Jones to start Week 1, but could he give up on the $160 million investment?
The Giants have an out following the '24 campaign, as the dead cap hit heading into 2025 would be $22 million. If Schoen wants to stick with Jones, then he has to do something about the terrible offensive line he's been forced to line up behind in East Rutherford. If Schoen still believes in Jones, he needs to surround him with more playmakers, period.
3. Are the Giants open to trading up for a new franchise quarterback?
Schoen is obviously going to be asked about this. There's been plenty of speculation that if the price is right, the G-Men might be open to trading up into the Top 3 to bring in either Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye. Hey, a lot of people would love to see any of those three youngsters take over as QB1 over Jones.
As for the QB position, if the situation presents itself correctly in the draft the #Giants would be open to pulling the trigger. pic.twitter.com/LoKTzomsYc
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) February 26, 2024
According to ESPN's Jordan Raanan, this indeed is going to be something to keep a close eye on moving forward. As Raanan noted, the Giants have two second-round picks they could use to their advantage to try and move up in the draft order. Right now, the Giants have the No. 6 overall pick, but it looks like the Patriots could be willing to part ways with their No. 3 selection.
If the Giants swap first-round picks and offer 2-3 second-rounders, would it be enough for Schoen to land someone like Daniels? Again, Schoen has said he's going to stick with Jones under center, but that could end up being hot air once draft night gets here.
2. Will an extension get done with running back Saquon Barkley?
This is something Schoen is going to have to discuss more than once. Earlier in the week, ESPN's Adam Schefter confirmed that the G-Men and Schoen aren't expected to use the franchise tag on the two-time Pro Bowler again. The Giants went that route with Saquon Barkley last year and he couldn't have been more upset about it.
The Giants will speak with free-agent-to-be running back Saquon Barkley and explore a deal with him, but they are also unlikely to tag him for $12,109,200, per sources. https://t.co/ektTdtZSaH pic.twitter.com/PspdR7W0V3
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 26, 2024
Now, Schoen isn't going to put Barkley through the waiting game again, but if Giants fans want to see Saquon back at MetLife Stadium next fall, then an extension must get done. These conversations between the two sides have been a waste of time over the past year, which is why there isn't a ton of hope that something will get done this time around.
Barkley posted a career-high 1,312 rushing yards in 2022 and then he followed that up with 962 more yards this past season, plus 10 total touchdowns. He did miss three games with a high-ankle sprain, which Schoen and the front office will of course bring up during negotiations. The Giants have more cap space to work with, but our gut here is that Schoen will use money to invest elsewhere.
1. Will an extension get done with safety Xavier McKinney
Barkley isn't the only star player Schoen needs to focus on, as safety Xavier McKinney is also looking for his big-time payday. McKinney is coming off a sensational season, posting a career-high 116 total tackles and three interceptions. McKinney was the leader for the secondary and he's surely a great mentor for cornerback Deonte Banks.
However, McKinney is out of contract and Schoen isn't expected to tag him, which would cost around $16 million. McKinney hasn't been holding back on social media of late, making it quite clear he's not going to give the Giants any kind of a discount. McKinney wants to be paid like one of the top safeties in the game, but it's doubtful Schoen will give him the money he's eyeing.
Schoen has around $33 million in cap space to work with, but that's before potential restructures with Andrew Thomas and Dexter Lawrence get done. That's only going to make life easier for the third-year GM, but just like with Barkley, he could end up being hesitant in over-spending on McKinney. There's a scenario where both guys are on different rosters once Week 1 gets here in the fall.