The New York Giants went into the 2020 season with weaknesses at multiple positions, allocating money in free agency to sure up voids. Luckily for them, their free-agent signings turned out to be stellar, even if they were forced like cornerback Logan Ryan was after the injury to second-round pick Xavier McKinney. Sometimes, things just work out in your favor.
Schematically, the veteran players they installed turned out to be perfect, but the Giants have three significant players that will be hitting the market after the 2020 season. Keeping them for 2021 would be preferable, even if it means spending a little bit more to retain them.
Three players the New York Giants should bring back in 2021:
1.) CB Logan Ryan
The first on the list is cornerback Logan Ryan, who has found a home with the Giants after spending his college career at Rutgers not too far away.
He has always felt at home in the tri-state area, so finding his way to Big Blue was a blessing in disguise. In addition, the training staff might have saved his wife’s life this past week, as she experienced an ectopic pregnancy, which could’ve been life-threatening.
Ryan, on the football field, has been a stellar addition to Patrick Graham’s defense. He has experience in multiple schemes and the ability to communicate has not only helped the youngsters adapt but the veterans come together and develop chemistry quickly. So far this year, he has 47 combined tackles, three quarterback hits, 1.0 sack, five passes defended, and one forced fumble.
In coverage he is holding up quite well, allowing a 61.8% completion rate and one touchdown through eight games. While his missed tackle rate is a bit higher than you might like at 11.3%, he has been a catalyst for the Giants on defense and is worthy of a second contract next season.
Per PFF, Ryan has been about average in every category, which is exactly what the Giants hoped for when they signed him to replace McKinney for the short term. He ended up being a more integral part of the defense and could find his way back to the Giants next season. His run defense has been solid and coverage adequate.
Contractually, Ryan is on a one-year, $5.05 million deal, including a $3.5 million signing bonus and $3.5 million guaranteed.
If they could retain him on a two-year, $12 million deal, it might be beneficial to keep him in blue.
2.) OLB Kyler Fackrell
Another stellar addition to the defense this off-season has been outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell. Nicknamed “The Freak,†Fackrell has 3.0 sacks and 24 combined tackles in eight games.
He only has five starts but has recorded a forced fumble and an interception, which he took for a touchdown. Fackrell fits extremely well in Graham’s scheme, containing the edge against the run but also rushing the passer adequately.
On a one-year, $4.6 million deal, I can imagine the Giants doing exactly with Fackrell as they did with Markus Golden. Hitting him with a free agent tender, which would count 110% of his salary for 2021, would help them retain a productive pass rusher.
3.) DL Dalvin Tomlinson
Dalvin Tomlinson has been one of the best interior defensive linemen for the Giants over the past few seasons, albeit quietly.
Tomlinson’s grades out through eight weeks at 79.4, per PFF. He is elite in run-stopping and above average in pressure. On the year, he has 1.0 sack, eight hurries, and 20 stops.
The former Alabama defender is in the final year of his rookie deal, so the Giants will have to splash some cash to retain him. Currently, he only counts $1.45 against the cap, so we can expect that number to increase to around $8 million per season. The Giants ultimately have a decision to make, do they retain Tomlinson or Leonard Williams, and the former is likely the cheaper option.