Currently, we don’t know much about our rookies, or the health status of our veterans, and there is nothing particularly interesting going on. So who can blame us if we let our imaginations run a little wild?
Here’s my question:
Has any position on the Giants improved so much, that instead of releasing a player, we might actually be able to trade him for a draft choice, even if it is only a humble 7th rounder?
What were their biggest deficiencies last year? I would say OL, LB, CB, TE, WR.
They have a potential starter now at C and if Neal can show improvement in his second year DJ won't know how to act by having time to throw.
LB they addressed in free agency and should be a big (BIG!) improvement.
CB I'm always skeptical about a rookie coming in and being dominant at CB. Maybe it was the busts that Apple and Baker became. If Banks can come in and be steady that would be an improvement.
TE - Bellinger is pretty good, but when he went down there wasn't a whole lot of production out of the backups. Now, with Waller in there they have a weapon with Bellinger as a very competent backup.
WR was a set of backups forced to be starters. I'm not sold on Campbell coming in and being a Pro-Bowler, but he and Hyatt are improvements over guys like James.
So, yeah, I'd say the team has potential to be much improved over last year.
Trading for draft picks is not likely....unless it's a core player for cap, like Adoree Jackson and I can not see that happening either.
Edge is only position a little more depth would be nice....
I would be happy if there is an unquestioned starter at every position. Next year.
Hopefully, any new injuries won't be as devastating as last year because of our improved depth.
I can't wait for training camp to start!
WR
TE
RB
C
DT
ILB
An argument could be made that the Giants are also better at Guard, RT, and OLB with the maturity and likely improvements of Ezeudu, Neal, Thibodeaux, and Ojulari.
It’s a very young team overall, I’m not sure we have the trade bait yet. I would look at guys drafted prior to this regime and nearing the end of their contract. We have a ton of WRs but not sure they would be valued by other teams. We may have an OL that someone will want.
One thing is that we will be cutting some guys that would have started for us last year which is a good thing.
I'd add DL to this list. Two very good run stuffers to replace a bunch of crap after our top 2 last year.
The TE group has as well too. Just one year ago, we were optimistic about Bellinger developing into a good starting TE. I still have high hopes for him but now he’s TE2 because in front of him is a guy in Waller who could be the straw that stirs the passing attack. That’s a tremendous step up.
1) Their cuts generate no interest, even on the waiver wire;
2) Some of their cuts get claimed, and they may even salvage compensation for players they would have cut.
The Giants have been in the first category pretty consistently for years. The Jets were among the top teams in Category 2 last year, with four players claimed by other teams. Jason Pinnock was among the four. Within Category 2, trade opportunities are a case-by-case proposition, where one team is overloaded at a position and another team - usually a good one with a low waiver position - has a hole, and figures it's worth a late pick (often a conditional one) to bypass the waiver queue.
I doubt there will be much of a market for the Giants' prospective cuts. Although their 12th DB, 7th WR, 4th RB or 6th DL might be a legitimate NFL player, the Zyon Gilberts, Collin Johnsons, Gary Brightwells, and D.J.Davidsons (or whoever those guys beat out) will be competing with hundreds of comparable talents. One name that comes to mind in this context is Darnay Holmes, who might be a better fit in a different system, and who plays a position that is always in demand.
The factor we can't predict at all is the holes that will inevitably develop on other rosters as injuries hit during the summer.
My guess right now is Phillips would make the cut over Lemieux because he can play guard and tackle. But both of those guys would make a roster.
My guess right now is Phillips would make the cut over Lemieux because he can play guard and tackle. But both of those guys would make a roster.
According to Pat Traina, Lemieux was lining up at Center with OL2 this past week. Speculation on her part was that the Giants were trying to find a spot for him. My guess is they won't. I think they're higher on Bredeson and Ezeudu.
I'll contradict myself for a moment, and posit maybe Hassenauer is the least versatile IOL and he could lost out to Lemieux who can play guard and center.
If I had to guess today the 9 are:
Thomas/Ezeudu/JMS/Glowinksi/Neal
Phillips, Bredeson, Hassenauer, McKethan
Waller gives the Giants a upper tier plus option on the outside which is the first one since pre-injured OBJ. That's significant imv.
Most of the issues last season were rooted in a not good enough OL/front 7. Just like for most of the last decade.
I feel good about the front 7. The OL is just going to have to prove it outside Thomas.
Hopefully the WR's added are a big upgrade. Wink looked happy with his corner.
Lot of young players were already on the roster from the past several years. Improvement will also come from those players advancing imv.
And I'm hoping we don't have to go to the ER too often this season... (haha)