How the Giants can turn their biggest weakness (long)

into a strength in one offseason.

Obviously, we're talking WR here.

There's a specter of a possible OBJ reunion hanging over MetLife right now, so everything I write here is going to be independent of the same. I'm assuming that if a reunion is to take place, it will be for more than this year, probably two seasons.

If you want to know how I land on that particular issue, I'm in favor. Whether or not you think the risk is too much with the repeated ACL injuries, which sure, it is, IMO the money shouldn't be too prohibitive making the risk manageable and the upside too great to pass up if they can make it happen.

This is also independent on whoever the QB will be for next year, Daniel Jones or someone else. I believe even if you're grooming a redshirt QB, it makes sense to build the offense now so that there is something to work with.

Regardless, here's what I would do, with what the Giants have, their cap considerations, offensive philosophy, and team needs.

Here's the existing group and what I'd do:

Cuts/would not retain:

Darius Slayton (UFA)
Richie James (UFA)
Kenny Golladay (cut, either pre-June 1st or post, don't care either way)
Sterling Shepard (cut)
Collin Johnson (cut)

Out of all these guys, Collin Johnson, due to the early nature of his injury, could be retained, as he's under contract for one more year for just about a million, but this isn't a big impact decision either way.

Retain:

Isaiah Hodgins, David Sills (ERFA) - I think Hodgins has a lot of skills that the coaching staff likes in terms of route running and quickness, that fit what they'd like to do.

Sills doesn't have that, but what he can do is block. And that's something I think this staff likes, and as a bottom roster type, I can see him hanging on as I think Saquon will still be here, as a franchise tagged player at least, and Sills could be a valuable backup in certain situations.

Wan'Dale Robinson - needs no explanation. He probably won't be ready to contribute fully early next season, and that needs to factor into their plans, but obviously he's young and has 3 more seasons under contract. He's shown enough to be thought of as at least a good role player if he can stay on the field.

Marcus Robinson (UFA) - There's a question mark with his hands, but a low free agent offer to stick around, I would like. Johnson has speed and quickness, and despite some questionable hands, I like him as a depth piece and hope for more development. It should be noted none of the guys above would be guaranteed a roster spot, with the exception of Wan'Dale. The others would be camp competition that I wouldn't mind seeing sticking around.

Free Agent signees:

Jakobi Meyers - (4 yrs, $50 million) - The estimate is based on Spotrac's market value, and I think the value and skillset makes sense. Meyers is a reliable receiver that runs good routes, can run the whole route tree, and has good hands. He would be a stabilizing player to this group. I would rather do a 2 or 3 year deal with him, and despite the good year he's had, I think that's possible, as I expect a buyer's market for the receiver position this offseason.

OR

Juju Smith-Schuster (3 yrs, $30 million) - I've long been a fan of JSS's game. One of my favorite things to watch with him is his release off the LOS. His footwork there is excellent, and he would do the same for this offense that Meyers would do. I prefer Meyers, because I think he ticks off the smart, tough, dependable box a little more, but JSS can do everything that Meyers could in this offense, and perhaps add a touch more in the explosive play department. Both players are just 26 years old. JSS's market value may be a touch more approachable.


Noah Brown (2 yrs, $12 million) - Make no mistake, I'm signing Brown to be a starting receiver on the outside. I love the overall skillset, I've been impressed with him when he has been the fill-in for Michael Gallup during his prolonged absence. His departure dings a division rival and I think he has a lot of good football left in him. He fits a big receiver role that can be a red zone threat, has good size, speed, and enough route running ability to get free as well as blocking ability for the position. It's a little tough to project his market, so I have no idea if the offer above would even be competitive, but I'd be a buyer on as much as a 4 year deal in that $6 mil range if that's what it took. Brown is just shy of 27.

Jarvis Landry (1 yr, $3 million) - This is a stop gap option as I'm not sure when we'd be able to count on. Should the Giants sign one of the two first guys I listed in this section, I think this is a little superfluous. I'm a little reticent on this one in terms of the dollars given the money needed in other areas, but you know what you're getting in Landry, a quality slot who runs great routes and is sure-handed, and would really solidify the receiver group. This isn't a necessity, but if the dollars work, he is a good fit.

Other free agents to consider:

Caveat, these players are fallback options if I can't get two of the above. These guys have traits of what I'm looking for in the players above and could be hidden-value pickups for low money.

Justin Watson (KC) - A player Kafka is familiar with, I wouldn't be surprised to see him find his way here.

Byron Pringle (CHI) - Another player Kafka has experience with, Pringle has flummoxed me as at times I can see a dangerous receiver that has never really took off. The downside here is that he'll be playing in his age-30 year next season, so this is a short-term add that's unlikely to all of a sudden put it all together, but I like his game.

Equanimeous St. Brown (CHI) - I think he does a lot that Noah Brown does. Also just 26 years old.

Deandre Carter (SD) - Speed, offers something in the pass game could be a big factor in the return game, also will be 30 next year.

Draft Approach -

There are several first round talents that I think will be talked about this offseason, but I like the Giants to go a different direction, as I think the value here is in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

Zay Flowers, Boston College - 5'10, about 180, we'll see at the combine, right? There's a lot of smaller fast guys, but Flowers has struck me as a player that plays bigger than his size. I love his route-running, and he has great hands. He's quick and fast, is a threat with the ball in his hands. He could be a star in this system, I think he fits it hand-in-glove. BC has had a bad year. But Flowers has been a huge bright spot. Would probably need to use a 2nd round pick on him. This year, 12 games, 1,077 yards on 78 catches and 12 TDs, 13.8 average but a 15.3 career average. He can be an electric punt returner. If there's one receiver in this draft I'm most excited about in terms of potential draft value and team fit, Flowers is it. I comp him a little to Jaylen Waddle. I'm not saying he's going to be Jaylen Waddle, but size, speed, and play style are similar.

Rashee Rice, SMU - 6'1, about 190. Another guy that I think plays bigger. Also has some explosion to his game, really competitive at the catch point, where his play strength jumps off for me. Big production this year at SMU: 96-1355-10. This is your possible Stefon Diggs. Third round consideration if you miss on Flowers, but a second round pick here is not out of the question.

Jacob Cowing, Arizona - 5'11, 170. Cowing is quick and fast, really tough cover. Excellent production, 85-1034-7 this season. More of a 4th or 5th round consideration, another player to fill the role I envision Flowers in. Fun to watch with his wiggle/YAC ability in the open field. Kind of reminds me a little of Emmanuel Sanders.

Johnny Wilson, Florida State - 6-7, 235. Really outside the box and not at all like the receivers above him. But Wilson is obviously huge and I think the creative offensive minds of Daboll and Kafka could take advantage of his mismatch ability. The size and speed combo is intriguing. Underutilized at FSU, with a 35-695-5 line in 12 games, but he's just a redshirt sophomore in his first year with FSU; an Arizona transfer. Big play receiver that has averaged 19.9 per catch. I don't know if he can bulk up and be a Kelce-like weapon, not sure the route-running and the football instincts are there, but he's young and his best football is probably still ahead of him. But as a late round flyer? I think he would stick and if he can learn the finer points of the position and to use his size a little more to his advantage, it's fun to imagine what he could do in this regime.

There's certainly other names I haven't even begun to study yet, and won't really get into it until draft season. Schoen's background in Buffalo with Beane saw them seek value in the middle rounds of the draft at the position. Beane's first draft with Buffalo was 2018, and here's what they did for the position in five drafts:

2018:

Ray-Ray McCloud - 6th round
Austin Proehl - 7th round

2020:

Gabriel Davis - 4th round
Isaiah Hodges - 6th round

2021:

Marquez Stevenson - 6th round

2022:

Khalil Shakir - 5th round

That's the whole list.

So there's no premium picks at the position. Obviously, Schoen just used a 2nd round pick for a receiver in this draft, and given how that's worked out so far, it obviously remains a pressing need. But I'd bet against a first round pick being used to address it. Another second? Possible.

I hope to see a second or third being spent here, obviously with the value needing to be there, and another pick later, but as soon as the 5th.

So I'd like to see two free agents and two draft picks to overhaul the group, and if I came into 2023 with Meyers, Noah Brown, Zay Flowers/Rice and a Cowing, perhaps a Wilson or any number of other guys, throw in a healthy Wan'Dale at some point and the returnees I mentioned, and there's an opportunity for a strong unit in 2023, where, true to the nature of this team, the sum is greater than its parts. The names might not blow you away, but I'd be happy with that. Throw in OBJ, and you could have an something even better.