Who are some of the free agents the giants could realistically target to improve the team before the draft?
There seems to be more talent available to fill holes on the offensive line than to shore up the pass rush or the help the team to finally be able to cover a tight end.
Second tier O-line, LBs and DBs (one each) should be FA targets.
Giants need reliable and disciplined players.
Bryce Callahan at CB
Markus Golden, Frank Clark as pass rushers
2019 UFA OL class - ( New Window )
I would be happy to see the return of DJ Fluker. I know that he is said to have problems in pass protection but having that man in front of Saquan will be a huge problem for any defense.
Williams scares me coming off of injury - not sure if he's a T in an offense that wants to throw 35-40 times a game (he was widely projected as a G in the draft). I think the run-heavy scheme in Carolina was a perfect fit for him. Maybe a prove-it deal and let him try both RT and RG if Brown isn't brought back.
Brown is going to get big $. Absolute mountain of a guy but ended up on IR in '17 and didn't fit Shanahan's scheme as well but managed well at LT for the Pats (he was seen as a future star before '17). If his shoulder checks out ok he's certainly worth a look but he may have earned himself LT money.
I think Smith is kind of what we'd hoped to salvage from Flowers without some of the attitude issues. Hasn't missed a game since being drafted but if I recall he can be technique poor and make up for it with size. I remember the graphic form before the season that showed Flowers had allowed more pressures than any T since being drafted and Smith was 2nd. In any case probably gets good LT money in the FA frenzy.
Haven't seen much of James to say.. Sounds like he's been unhappy in Miami because of the environment under Gase (and they seem like a team that's a hobby for their owner and not a passion) so if they blow their coaching hire he may opt to hit the market.
Top 2 C's are Matt Paradis and Mitch Morse. Paradis is coming off leg surgery from Nov so who knows if teams will even be able to pass him in a physical by the time FA starts. Morse has missed 15 games over the last 2 years and when Andy Reid lets an OL go to FA they often seem to be grossly overvalued and disappoint (Rodney Hudson probably the exception).
Barr has most definitely not underperformed one bit. He’s been among the top in QB pressures from the LB spot and can play against the run and cover. He is likely to get franchise tagged.
All 3 players locked down important positions for years. They were signed to expensive but not cap breaking deals and all were 25-27 yrs old and still had peak years here.
That should be the idea.
Safety
I would love to pair Fluker w Hernandez at the guard spots. I don't think he will cost a lot. He does not get bull rushed and would keep guys out of Eli's face. We obviously need a good right Tackle.
Are there any good FA safeties?
Wat a minute, you mean Adam Bisnowaty is available, fuckin’ A!
Then get another Hernandez in the draft. All the sudden a damn good OL.
C: Mitch Morse
OLB: Markus Golden or Preston Smith
ILB: Denzel Perryman, Jordan Hicks, or Avery Williamson
NT: Malcolm Brown or Danny Shelton
S: SS Kenny Vaccaro and FS Tre Boston
I would release Olivier Vernon, Kareem Martin, Connor Barwin, Jonathan Stewart, Alec Ogletree, and Rhett Ellison.
Quote:
I know he’s under performed a bit, but a 1st round pick who can get to the QB. Bikes are going to be hard against the cap, so I don’t know if they’ll have the money to resign him.
Barr has most definitely not underperformed one bit. He’s been among the top in QB pressures from the LB spot and can play against the run and cover. He is likely to get franchise tagged.
The problem with Barr is he's apparently a mercurial knucklehead.