4 moves the NY Giants still need to make after the NFL Draft
By Doug Rush
2. Get things figured out with DL Leonard Williams
This one has been a move that many thought would have been made already given his high salary currently. Yet, Leonard Williams' number for the 2023 campaign hasn't changed.
Williams signed a three-year, $63 million contract back in 2021 and for the better part of the deal, he has held up well on the Giants defensive line. His sack numbers aren't going to jump out, but his value is stopping the run. His 45 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2022 don't tell the entire story for Williams. He graded out at 77.9 by Pro Football Focus, which showed that Williams is playing at a high level for the Giants and should be retained for the time being.
Giants are trying to build up their defensive line, not break it down. To me, based on everything I have heard, Leonard Williams is still considered an important piece to this defense.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) April 24, 2023
Yes, I know the cap number is high. Joe Schoen knows it, too. But the player is valued here.
An extension for Williams, who is still a productive player, could certainly help with creating more salary cap space. Currently, his cap number for 2023 stands at $32.2 million; a figure the Giants would like to get down.
An extension for Williams could solve that and retain a key member of Martindale's defense. There's no way his massive cap hit can remain in play for '23.