A lot can change between now and the combine, free agency, etc. But here's my first crack at it. I'm not going to predict contract numbers, just who I'd sign and cut, and who I'd draft. Ultimate goal is keep building the roster in a smart way without crippling the cap, and hit on a bunch of draft picks, in order to get this team to 9-11 wins next season. Also, only projecting rounds 1-4 in the draft as I'm not really too immersed in the later round prospects.
Cuts: Nate Solder, Golden Tate, Kevin Zeitler
I let Solder go as there really is no point in having him on this team. Same with Tate. It hasn't worked out, time to move on. Zeitler was a tough decision.
Sign: Leonard Williams, Joe Thuney, Kenny Golladay, Carl Lawson
With the subtractions of Solder, Tate, and Zeitler (and perhaps more) this frees up a good chunk of change to sign Williams to a long term deal, bring in a much needed playmaker at WR in Golladay, a pro bowl caliber fixture at OG in Thuney, and a 2nd tier edge guy in Lawson who shouldn't be too expensive. You let Thuney start at either guard spot, whichever suits him best, and let Hernandez and Lemieux battle it out for the other spot.
Draft: Round 1, Patrick Surtain II, CB Alambama
Round 2: Patrick Jones II, EDGE Pitt
Round 3: Chris Olave, WR Ohio State
Round 4: Liam Eichenberg, OL Notre Dame
The draft might be a bit rose colored as I'm not sure the first 3 guys will even be there when we pick, but based on everything I'm seeing, there's a good chance Olave slips due to his size, and perhaps Jones slips due to his lack of crazy upside. I think these 4 guys help us not only instantly but also add to the depth at positions of need across the board. You pair Surtain with Bradberry, add Jones and Lawson to our DL on the edge, with our interior guys up front, it could be a dominant unit. Even though Olave is more of a finesse guy, I think his athleticism is off the charts and our WR group is improved 10 fold with Golladay, Shepard, Slayton, and Olave. Eichenberg competes with Peart (and perhaps another veteran OL) for the right tackle spot.
Although I did spend a good amount in free agency, I'm not exactly worried as our cap is in good shape, and I have a feeling DG will not be shelling our crazy lengths of contracts, he'll focus on the next 2-3 years with more emphasis on guarantees and plugging holes through FA.
Thoughts?
Peart could replace Solder....but not as of right now
+1
He will cost more than Zeitler, probably.
Thuney is a bad idea better to restructure Zeitler in the long run it will be cheaper. Pats have a ton of money to spend. If they want him he will stay.
Drafting CB early is a mistake. We have bigger needs. Surtain is good. Edge or WR. Deep draft for WR and get one in 2nd and 3rd.
christian : 1/1/2021 4:43 pm
If NE lets Thuney walk -- I'd love him to be the focal point and priority of the offseason. Even at the expense of the Giants own free agents.
He'll be 28, in his 6th NFL. Sixteen game starter from day one and never missed a game. Second team All Pro in 2019, and he's having another solid season this year. He's not a mauler, but he's a tactician and as good of interior pass protector as there is in the NFL.
If the Giants cut Zeitler and Solder -- that frees up $36M dollars over the next 2 years. Thuney is probably inline for a deal north of Andrus Peat's contract -- 5/57.5/23 guaranteed, but this is the type of player who can change the direction of a line.
If the Giants covet a player like Thuney, they likely put the full court press day one of the tampering period, and will know quickly if they land him.
If they do, I agree Zeitler can fetch a mix round pick. If not, they keep him.
Not sure the monies will work in free agency if you lead with a LW deal, but that’s a big to be determined.
While I agree with you on cutting Zeitler, nobody is trading anything of value for him to pay him 10 million which he probably wouldn't fetch on open market. I've seen his value more pegged at 7-8 million. I think the move is extend him a year for like 5 million, which is a move that works out for both parties if they tell him its that or cut. Then look to upgrade OL again in 2022 draft hopefully with a premium pick of it shakes that way.
Unlike others here, if they get the skill players right, I'm not seeing massive holes in 2022 with this roster that will need to be immediately fixed like we've had the last 8 years. Team is very young with it's key pieces. Get this right and we are a solidly built football team finally.
First order of business is to bring back LW. While he'll command above $18mil per year, structuring the deal and bonuses to lower the year 1 hit is ideal. This would leave $20mil in cap.
Dalvin Tomlinson walks, bring back Austin Johnson instead. Move Lawrence to NT and Hill steps into a starting role.
With that $20mil, I'd sign Curtis Samuel and OL depth. Maybe bring back Gallman as well if the deal is reasonable. Samuel is a young, ascending player with versatility.
In the draft, my plan of attack is to find an EDGE, CB help, and weapons.
1. EDGE Azeez Ojulari, Georgia
2. WR Terrace Marshall/Chris Olave
3. DL
4. CB Greg Newsome, Northwestern
6- RB and TE
The other route is to address EDGE in FA (Barrett/Reddick/Bowser) and go WR in round 1 (Smith, Chase, Waddle or even Pitts if they move on from Engram)
Draft: Round 1, Patrick Surtain II, CB Alambama
Round 2: Patrick Jones II, EDGE Pitt
Round 3: Chris Olave, WR Ohio State
Round 4: Liam Eichenberg, OL Notre Dame
Mine:
11: R1 P11 CB Patrick Surtain II - Alabama
42: R2 P10 EDGE Jaelen Phillips - Miami
76: R3 P12 WR Terrace Marshall Jr. - LSU
113: R4 P11 OT Liam Eichenberg - Notre Dame