The New York Giants are reportedly planning on prioritizing the cornerback position in free agency this offseason (Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post). Luckily for New York, there are plenty of talented cornerbacks set to be available.
Two of the top cornerbacks for the Giants to target will be Byron Jones and James Bradberry. Both will have very competitive markets but would be massive upgrades to add to the Giants’ young and upcoming secondary.
Byron Jones
The Dallas Cowboys are in a bit of trouble regarding their salary cap. They just paid Ezekiel Elliot and Demarcus Lawrence, and they still have not paid Dak Prescott. New head coach Mike McCarthy will have some tough decisions to make regarding the team’s impending free agents, and he might have to let some big names walk out the door. Byron Jones could be one of those big names to depart.
The 27-year-old cornerback out of Connecticut has been one of the best cornerbacks in the league with the Cowboys. Byron Jones is a versatile cornerback that makes a significant impact in pass coverage. He has experience playing both safety and cornerback at the professional level and has done both exceptionally well. Jones is 6 feet tall and 200 pounds. He’s a large-bodied cornerback with peak physicality to cover larger receivers and tight ends. Finally, the Giants could get a coverage-man to shut down opposing tight ends.
James Bradberry
In Ryan Dunleavy’s report, he listed Byron Jones and James Bradberry as two potential cornerback targets for the Giants in free agency. Dunleavy described Bradberry as a “coveted option.” There should be a competitive market to sign James Bradberry.
But James is expected to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Bradberry is seeking a contract worth approximately $15 million per year. This might be a bit expensive for a 27-year-old cornerback that has never been to a Pro Bowl.
In 2019, Bradberry recorded 3 interceptions, and 12 passes defended. James is not exactly an elite talent, but he is a reliable veteran that would be a considerable upgrade in the Giants’ secondary. If they can acquire Bradberry for the right price, it might be worth the investment.