The beginning of the 2024 NFL Free Agency period always brings a myriad of surprises, but the New York Giants were at the forefront of the league’s attention at the onset of things.
Some shocking departures, blockbuster trades and major signings made Day 1 of free agency one of the busiest days in recent memory for the Giants. Now, the future of the franchise has been severely altered, and many believe that Joe Schoen made moves that will put New York back on track for sustained success.
That remains to be seen, but what we can do at the moment is take a long, hard look at the moves that the Giants general manager made, and didn’t make, when the period to do so opened up. With a ton of pressure on Schoen to get an almost decade-long mess right, there isn’t a lot of room for disappointment.
Regardless, here’s a breakdown of the Giants’ biggest moves from free agency, including their massive trade for star defender Brian Burns, and grades for each move they made.
Trading for Brian Burns to improve the pass-rush
Of course, the move that shook up the face of the Giants franchise, and the league in general, was the franchise making the splash decision to trade for and extend former Carolina Panthers pass-rusher Brian Burns.
After the Panthers received an offer that included multiple first-round picks from the Los Angeles Rams in 2022 and declined it, a majority of NFL media theorized they had planned to extend Burns. However, last season’s disaster of a campaign completely changed where the Panthers were headed, and they never could come to an agreement with the former first-round selection, so the Giants swooped in and made a deal that didn’t require the significant draft capital Los Angeles offered.
Immediately, Burns gives the Giants arguably a top three defensive line in the NFL, and a front-seven that can compete with the best of the best. Playing aside Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux could work wonders for Burns, unlocking the raw potential and elevate him into one of the league’s top pass-rushers.
The gigantic extension the Giants signed him to will be the biggest thing fans have a problem with, but that’s the going rate for stud pass-rushers. Burns is still only 25 years old, and is yet to reach his peak in the NFL. If he lives up to his immense potential, the contract will look better and better as more time passes.
Grade: A
The Giants aren't wasting any time making moves this offseason, and you can join their efforts to win thanks to the new-user offer at FanDuel. Just sign up, deposit $10 or more and then bet $5 or more on any team to win this week. If your team wins, you'll get $200 in bonus bets! Sign up with FanDuel with this GMEN HQ link today!
Not overpaying for Saquon Barkley and letting him join Philly
Before the Burns news, the biggest update out of East Rutherford was the Giants basically telling Saquon Barkley, “Thanks for the memories,” allowing him to journey over to Philadelphia and sign with the Eagles.
This is a tough move to grade. Some will point to the Giants declining to overpay for a running back, trusting their process, and the process of many other successful teams. However, Barkley’s place with the Giants, and the emotional attachment fans have had to him, factors in as well.
Instead of allowing emotion into the situation, Schoen trusted his process, and wouldn’t budge on the financials. The writing had been on the wall for months, and Barkley, who famously said he wanted to be a “Giant for life,” will be wearing kelly green next season.
Letting the running back walk at that price was the right move, and the only move for the Giants. While it may sting seeing him play for the Eagles, it’s certainly a shocking amount of money to see Philadelphia cough up for a running back, especially after the way they’ve treated the position over recent seasons. Three years and $37.75 million, with $26 guaranteed? Schoen was never going to match that.
Nevertheless, the real criticism here will be letting Barkley leave the team for nothing, instead of opting to trade the star running back. The Giants were never making the playoffs last season, and you can debate the impact it would’ve had on the team’s morale, but seeing Barkley leave for nothing to a division rival hurts.
Grade: B-
Signing offensive guard Jon Runyan Jr.
Immediately after Barkely revealed he was headed to the Eagles, the Giants bolstered their offensive line with Jon Runyan Jr., formerly of the Green Bay Packers. While Runyan leaves a little to be desired in the run game, his pass-blocking numbers have been solid throughout his career, above-average in the league, actually. That’s where the Giants have struggled more than anything over the last couple of seasons, so that’s a solid addition for their offensive line.
If we’re being honest, the Giants guard play along their offensive line has been nothing short of terrible, featuring a revolving door of below-average players. Runyan gives the Giants a chance to correct that, and his price tag wasn’t exactly steep, considering he came from the free agent world. Runyan is getting a three-year deal from the Giants for $30 million, with $17 million guaranteed.
Whether it’s Daniel Jones, a different veteran quarterback or a rookie from the 2024 NFL Draft, they’ll be happy to have Runyan protecting them along the offensive line. It was the Giants biggest need entering free agency, and Schoen did a solid job addressing it with his first move of the frenzy.
Grade: B+
Saving money by letting Xavier McKinney go to Green Bay
While the Giants were able to pry Runyan away from Green Bay, the Packers got one over on New York after Tommy DeVito almost ruined their season in 2023, signing star safety Xavier McKinney to a massive four-year, $68 million contract.
While it would’ve been nice to keep a young, homegrown asset like McKinney on the team, Schoen took an approach similar to Barkley with the stud defensive back. It’s evident Schoen doesn’t believe in overpaying for what he considers a non-premium position in the NFL, and unfortunately for McKinney, that includes the safety spot on defense.
The Giants survived 2022 while McKinney sat with a non-football injury, and last season, while tumultuous at times for the team’s defensive leader, McKinney showed he was deserving of a big contract. Alas, the Giants weren’t in the position to tie that much money to a safety, and felt it’d be best utilized elsewhere. So be it.
Moving forward, the Giants will likely hope Dane Belton can slot into McKinney’s role, and look to the NFL Draft to bring in some help for their secondary. There’s a bevy of exciting options, but it’s clear the Giants are building this defense from the inside-out, and McKinney’s high price tag moved him out of the team’s range.
Grade: B+
Signing running back Devin Singletary
After letting Barkley go to Philadelphia, Schoen signed a running back who will have a hand in replacing the former Penn State star, and his name is Devin Singletary. Since coming into the NFL via the Buffalo Bills, Singletary has been pining for an extended shot at some action.
He received that with the Houston Texans, where he usurped the starting gig from promising second-year back Dameon Pierce, and showed why he was a coveted ball carrier coming into the league out of Florida Atlantic. Something that should make Giants fans’ ears perk up is the fact that Singletary had comparable numbers to Barkley last season. While their situations were different, Singletary had to fight for carries, while Barkley was the unquestioned No. 1 on the team, so there’s caveats to both arguments. Barkley posted 962 rushing yards, while Singletary finished with a career-high 898.
Perhaps Singletary can grow into the player Daboll and Schoen expected him to be when he was in Buffalo. Regardless, the Giants will likely look to add some more help to their backfield, but at the price tag they were able to sign Singletary for, they’ll take the route they went. He's arriving to East Rutherford on a three-year deal for $16.5 million.
Grade: B+
Signing offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor
This wasn't a blockbuster move by any means, but the Giants are bringing in former Las Vegas Raiders offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor. He'll be with Big Blue for $14 million over the next two seasons, a bargain considering what he’ll bring to the Giants. Eluemunor’s versatility is a huge boon for the team, as he can slot in either at right tackle or at guard, depending on what the team decides to do with Evan Neal moving forward.
Additionally, Eluemunor has familiarity with New York’s freshly minted offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo. Now the narrative that his players didn’t enjoy working with him can be put to bed to an extent, as one of them is joining him with the Giants for another go-round.
Last season, Eluemunor really showed his ability in the passing game, and he even put up some highlight reel plays against the Giants, when he went up against the aforementioned Thibodeaux and Lawrence. Now, he’ll be wearing the Giants blue, as he suits up for New York, looking to shore up their embattled unit.
All in all, it represented an awesome free agent frenzy for Joe Schoen and the Giants, as they grabbed a versatile lineman who gives them flexibility and dependability moving forward. The Giants got better in free agency, and Eluemunor is one of the reasons why.
Grade: A-
Signing quarterback Drew Lock
With Daniel Jones battling back from a torn ACL and his future with the franchise in question, the Giants had to add a quarterback to their roster, especially after Tyrod Taylor took his talents to the New York Jets.
Enter Drew Lock. Jones' draft-mate, who was selected after him by the Denver Broncos in the 2019 NFL Draft, will be joining the team on a one year, $5 million contract in 2024. This doesn't mean the Giants won't draft a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft, but it gives them insurace, just in case Jones isn't ready for the start of the season.
Since being traded to the Seattle Seahawks by the Broncos as part of the Russell Wilson trade, Lock was beat out by Geno Smith for the starting gig, but showed some serious promise in 2023. He was a fascinating name among free agent quarterbacks, especially after famously leading a game-winning drive to defeat the Eagles on Monday Night Football last season.
He only saw extended action in two games, the aforementioned victory over the Eagles, and a loss to the San Francisco 49ers. All in all, Lock passed for 543 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions for the Seahawks in 2023.
With Jones still rehabbing his injury, it remains to be seen if Lock will start any games for the Giants, but he's a solid backup who possesses plus-potential in Daboll's offense. If Jones isn't ready for Week 1, he'd be a solid option, and one you can win with in the right circumstances. Tommy DeVito did it last season, and Lock has some of that swagger, and a cannon for an arm. It's a solid move.
Grade: B+