First some thoughts...
I think priority #1 in free agency should be adding a starting quality, reliable right tackle. I’m a fan of Chad Wheeler and I suspect he may have been playing hurt for much of the season (remember how he was forced back onto the field after Flowers refused to replace him despite injury). Still the Giants will be better set at the OT position if the right side is manned by a steady veteran with Wheeler serving as an ideal swing tackle on game day. I would add a low-cost guard in free agency as well (i.e., re-sign Brown for near the vet-minimum). The reason for going cheap in free agency at guard is because the draft is loaded at interior OL this year and the Giants should be able to find a serviceable one with one of their many 4th and 5th round picks (if not their 2nd round pick).
Other than that, I see free agency as more about bang for buck than forcing the issue. Tag Landon Collins and sign a free safety and a CB. On offense, see how much it costs for a WR who might better complement OBJ than the current group of receivers. Bottomline is that they should come out of free agency with a right tackle, right guard, free safety, CB, and Landon Collins (and maybe a WR or LB on a prove-it type deal)…with the right tackle being where they bid most aggressively. They all don’t have to be studs, but they need to cover the obvious holes so that they can be more free to draft BPA. Potential additions: OT Daryl Williams, Jawuan James; OG Jamon Brown; CB Kareem Jackson, Ron Darby, Bryce Callahan; DS Tre Boston, Adrian Amos; WR Cole Beasley, Golden Tate.
I left out pass rusher and QB. Reason being that the prices will be too steep for the ROI. These are the positions that must be solved via the draft (or via Lauletta, Carter, Vernon) if they are to be solved this year. So now let’s talk about the draft.
As for the draft....
DAY ONE
I’m starting to warm up to Haskins, I’m iffy on Daniel Jones, and the guy I like more and more is Drew Lock. What perplexes me is why he is held in such mediocre regard by the draftnik community. He may not be an ideal fit for a team that’s planning on throwing the ball 40 or 50 times a game, but for a team the features Saquon Barkley and a healthy dose of play-action, Lock’s strengths are highlighted and his alleged weaknesses would be mitigated. His resume of durability playing in the SEC is also a plus that shouldn’t be dismissed as simply an added bonus. Daniel Jones has had some shoulder issues and Haskins, although well-built, doesn’t have enough games under his belt (nor taken enough hits in the pocket) to gage his iron man status.
Three different coordinators, two different head coaches, school distractions. Learning new footwork mid-season. Georgia game part of the problem was his footwork in pocket, which he made changes to. But if Gettleman doesn’t think any of the QBs are worth the pick, then defense is the way to go, preferably passrusher, unless he loves one of the CBs or Devin White. In other words, lots of possibilities for improving the defense with the 6th pick if none of the QBs are worthy.
DAY TWO
If the Giants go QB in round one (and have successfully addressed at least one of the starting positions on the right side of the OL), ideally they go defense with the 2nd round pick and ideally it’s a pass rusher. Brian Burns, Jaylon Ferguson, Oshane Ximines, and Zach Allen are ER who may (or may not) slip through to the 37th overall pick. If not an ER, there are several good CB prospects, one of who may slide due to the numbers.
I’m not against going OL, WR, or even TE with the pick if the value stands out, but quality #2-type WRs, interior OL, and TEs can be more easily found with the team’s many 4th and 5th round picks than can pass rushers and cover corners.
DAY THREE
Rounds four and five are for finding interior OL, 5-Technique DL, and #2-type WRs; all three of which could still be needs following free agency and days one and two of the draft. It’s also good for finding depth at RB and safety. If the torn ACL means RB Bryce Love falls to Day 3, I think the Giants should seriously consider him with any one of their picks, but especially if he still sticks out like a sore thumb in round 5, even if it means he spends the year on PUP/IR. I actually like Gallman a lot (it’s no reflection in him), but you need to be three deep at RB and as a change of pace, going from Barkley to Love will be like going from Guidry to Gossage.
MOCK FREE AGENCY...
I tried to be reasonable, but erred on the side of aggressive. I think they’ll add a WR but there is no telling whether they go bargain basement with a vet on a prove-it deal or spend a little more on someone like Tate or Beasley so I left it blank.
OT Daryl Williams
OG Jamon Brown (or similarly cheap option)
CB Kareem Jackson
DS Tre Boston
DS Landon Collins (franchise tag)
WR ???
MOCK DRAFT...
No telling how high or low some will go but I tried to find at least one legit draftnik site that reflects my choice as reasonable for where I have the prospect selected.
R1 (#6 overall): QB Drew Lock
R2 (#37 overall): ER/OLB Brian Burns
R3 (#70-ish): CB Sam Beal***
R4 (#108 overall): OC/OG Erik McCoy
R4 (#132 overall): 5T Austin Bryant
R4 (#139 overall): OG Ben Powers
R5 (#144 overall): RB Bryce Love
R5 (#147 overall): DS Mike Bell
R5 (#174 overall): CB Montre Hartage
R6 (#182 overall): TE Drew Sample
R7 (#234 overall): WR KeeSean Johnson
R7 (#247 overall): WR Tyre Brady
Trade Landon Collins and Vernon to the Raiders for their #4 pick---Draft 1 of the following players if they're still on the board in the following order:Josh Allen, Quinnen Williams,Clelin Ferrell.
At #6--Draft Devin White.
They just upgraded the front 7.
Trade Evan Engram and Gallman for the Lions # 8 pick--Draft Jonah Williams.
With their 2nd RD pick draft WR N'Keal Harry
Trade their 2 4th RD picks and move into the 3rd RD--Draft Brett Rypien QB Boise State.Google his college stats. He's the sleeper of this draft.
With FA the Giants should be in good position to win this year.
They haven't won anything with OBJ,Collins, Engram and Gallman. They can use Perkins or a drafted player to backup SB.
They beef up the DL and OL and LB positions. Defense wins championships..see Patriots holding Rams to 3 points.
They get a good WR to replace OBJ. SB replaces the touches that Engram would have gotten and SB runs better with Ellison and Simonson in the game.
Jim Files at my first job Lafayette Radio in Syosset, NY. I have there signed picture along with Spider Lockhart's.
I bleed Giant Blue. This team needs to get back to their defensive days of LT, Carson and Banks. This draft is the perfect draft to
get the defense right. My Plan:
Trade OBJ to the Cards for their #1 pick.--Draft Bosa.
Trade Landon Collins and Vernon to the Raiders for their #4 pick---Draft 1 of the following players if they're still on the board in the following order:Josh Allen, Quinnen Williams,Clelin Ferrell.
At #6--Draft Devin White.
They just upgraded the front 7.
Trade Evan Engram and Gallman for the Lions # 8 pick--Draft Jonah Williams.
With their 2nd RD pick draft WR N'Keal Harry
Trade their 2 4th RD picks and move into the 3rd RD--Draft Brett Rypien QB Boise State.Google his college stats. He's the sleeper of this draft.
With FA the Giants should be in good position to win this year.
They haven't won anything with OBJ,Collins, Engram and Gallman. They can use Perkins or a drafted player to backup SB.
They beef up the DL and OL and LB positions. Defense wins championships..see Patriots holding Rams to 3 points.
They get a good WR to replace OBJ. SB replaces the touches that Engram would have gotten and SB runs better with Ellison and Simonson in the game.
Trade Landon Collins and Vernon to the Raiders for their #4 pick---Draft 1 of the following players if they're still on the board in the following order:Josh Allen, Quinnen Williams,Clelin Ferrell.
At #6--Draft Devin White.
They just upgraded the front 7.
Trade Evan Engram and Gallman for the Lions # 8 pick--Draft Jonah Williams.
With their 2nd RD pick draft WR N'Keal Harry
Trade their 2 4th RD picks and move into the 3rd RD--Draft Brett Rypien QB Boise State.Google his college stats. He's the sleeper of this draft.
With FA the Giants should be in good position to win this year.
They haven't won anything with OBJ,Collins, Engram and Gallman. They can use Perkins or a drafted player to backup SB.
They beef up the DL and OL and LB positions. Defense wins championships..see Patriots holding Rams to 3 points.
They get a good WR to replace OBJ. SB replaces the touches that Engram would have gotten and SB runs better with Ellison and Simonson in the game.
Milton - suggest you copy your OP, delete this and restart......
Trade Landon Collins and Vernon to the Raiders for their #4 pick---Draft 1 of the following players if they're still on the board in the following order:Josh Allen, Quinnen Williams,Clelin Ferrell.
At #6--Draft Devin White.
They just upgraded the front 7.
Trade Evan Engram and Gallman for the Lions # 8 pick--Draft Jonah Williams.
With their 2nd RD pick draft WR N'Keal Harry
Trade their 2 4th RD picks and move into the 3rd RD--Draft Brett Rypien QB Boise State.Google his college stats. He's the sleeper of this draft.
With FA the Giants should be in good position to win this year.
They haven't won anything with OBJ,Collins, Engram and Gallman. They can use Perkins or a drafted player to backup SB.
They beef up the DL and OL and LB positions. Defense wins championships..see Patriots holding Rams to 3 points.
They get a good WR to replace OBJ. SB replaces the touches that Engram would have gotten and SB runs better with Ellison and Simonson in the game.
WE HEARD YOU!!!
Trade Landon Collins and Vernon to the Raiders for their #4 pick---Draft 1 of the following players if they're still on the board in the following order:Josh Allen, Quinnen Williams,Clelin Ferrell.
At #6--Draft Devin White.
They just upgraded the front 7.
Trade Evan Engram and Gallman for the Lions # 8 pick--Draft Jonah Williams.
With their 2nd RD pick draft WR N'Keal Harry
Trade their 2 4th RD picks and move into the 3rd RD--Draft Brett Rypien QB Boise State.Google his college stats. He's the sleeper of this draft.
With FA the Giants should be in good position to win this year.
They haven't won anything with OBJ,Collins, Engram and Gallman. They can use Perkins or a drafted player to backup SB.
They beef up the DL and OL and LB positions. Defense wins championships..see Patriots holding Rams to 3 points.
They get a good WR to replace OBJ. SB replaces the touches that Engram would have gotten and SB runs better with Ellison and Simonson in the game.
This is terrible and not even worth discussing
Golden Tate and Beasley are same type of receiver as Sheperd. Probably re-sign Latimer and draft a WR or two.
Like M, I'm more a Lock fan than most. Three-year starter (I think?) in the SEC and got better every year. Those are big deals in the Parcells QB paradigm. If he doesn't have big "upside" and might not be sensational...does he have to be, if SB will be our focal point for the next 5 or more years? I posted something similar a few days ago -- I'd rather take an apparent B+ QB at #6 than try to figure out how the hell I'm gonna get an apparent A/A- QB from #16 ("apparent" being key -- you NEVER can be sure what you're getting).
Those critiques aside any plan should start with upgrading RT and one of OC/RG. Wheeler is a bum. Halapio and Brown both are both sub league average. It's about time we had an actual good offensive line instead of a mediocre patch job. Success starts here. I'd focus free agency and Draft resources to finally fix the problem.
Then you get into the QB vs defensive stud at #6 debate. For me it's Haskins upside(which is considerable) vs the difficulties that come with evaluating a 14 game NCAA starter from a prolific offensive program. If you emerge with the belief he's a franchise type guy you pick him. I've no idea what DG and the Giants will do.
I'd like RT Daryl Williams and Jochai Polite in the 2nd. Then let Gettleman & Shurmur work their OL magic in the mid-rounds.
One curveball I would throw in: Collins gone. Remember - the Giants had him on the trade block at the deadline last year for a 2. You don't trade a 24 year old core player/captain you have future plans for, for a 2. This told me they were not convinced on re-signing him. Michael Thomas replaced him and made more plays on the ball. Also brings a nice vocal leadership presence in the Deon Grant mold. Is the delta between what LC costs and Thomas + the lost opportunity cost of not signing a quality FS there? That's the discussion the big boys are having.
There's also been recent smoke they are only interested at their price. Would it be so crazy if the Giants let him walk and replace him with Earl Thomas? Who would impact the D more?
I would also like consideration of a FS and LB help in the mid-rounds.
I see some of Eli's resiliency in him.
Other than that, I would agree that getting a FA ORT is a top priority.
Landon Collins stinks in pass defense. Do not tag him. Do not pay him any more than an average NFL safety because that is what he is.
Drafting a speedy ILB who can pass defense the middle zones is a top priority that you have not addressed anywhere.
Drafting safeties who can pass defense is a high priority. Spending some $ on a decent experienced S can only help the porous pass defense in the middle of our D.
Other than the above I agree with what you wrote.
If you like Lock, you keep quiet about it and take him at 6.
I think the first steps the Giants should take is to Tag Collins ( or re-sign him ) and try to get Jamon Brown re-signed prior to free agency.
In free agency, based on the current roster, Right Tackle and Free Safety are the most glaring wholes. Daryl Williams and Jwuan James are the top guys worth investing long term contacts. Honey Badger and Earl Thomas the same at Free Safety. I think getting both of those positions locked up in the first week of free agency with 2 of those guys is gonna allow the Giants to enter the draft with a good mind set to get their QB of the future and build some depth and hopefully find a couple of starters.
I was wondering if DG will try to trade Vernon to a team like the Cards or Jets and try to relieve the cap and get an early 3rd round pick. But I agree, we won't be using all 11 of the picks we currently have. Getting up into the 3rd round will be a priority, maybe even trying to trade up into the back end of round 1.
Daniel Jones at 6 would induce vomiting and foaming of the mouth. I'd like Haskins, see the talent/upside argument with Lock, eh on Murray because of his size, but i just don't see it with Jones. To me has no "it" factor.
Trade Landon Collins and Vernon to the Raiders for their #4 pick---Draft 1 of the following players if they're still on the board in the following order:Josh Allen, Quinnen Williams,Clelin Ferrell.
At #6--Draft Devin White.
They just upgraded the front 7.
Trade Evan Engram and Gallman for the Lions # 8 pick--Draft Jonah Williams.
With their 2nd RD pick draft WR N'Keal Harry
Trade their 2 4th RD picks and move into the 3rd RD--Draft Brett Rypien QB Boise State.Google his college stats. He's the sleeper of this draft.
With FA the Giants should be in good position to win this year.
They haven't won anything with OBJ,Collins, Engram and Gallman. They can use Perkins or a drafted player to backup SB.
They beef up the DL and OL and LB positions. Defense wins championships..see Patriots holding Rams to 3 points.
They get a good WR to replace OBJ. SB replaces the touches that Engram would have gotten and SB runs better with Ellison and Simonson in the game.
Omg is this for real? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Milton - suggest you copy your OP, delete this and restart......
SORRY guys, am new to this site and didn't mean to repost 2 times. I'm 65 and a little technology challenged...lol.