The Leonard Williams saga is officially over for the New York Giants and their fans — after being traded from the Jets to Big Blue in 2019 for a third-round pick and a 4/5 rounder depending on how he was retained. Since he was brought back via the franchise tag, the Giants will have to forfeit the 5th rounder along with the 3rd they gave up at the time of the deal.
I'm told this is expected to be the franchise tag, not the transition tag, FYI. #Giants https://t.co/TqMa64dE0V
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) March 16, 2020
Giants expected to place tag today on defensive lineman Leonard Williams, per source. Giants want him back and unwilling to let him leave.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
Whether or not it’s worth two mid-round picks is up for debate, but there’s no question Williams helped significantly in stopping the run last season, posting 26 tackles and 11 QB hits in eight games with Big Blue last season. He’s also one of the most doubled-teamed defensive linemen in the league, being engaged by two offensive players 64% of the time.
How do the New York Giants view Leonard Williams?
Bringing him back on a franchise tag will cost the Giants $16.126 million, as the transition tag would have cost them $12.3 million and an opportunity for another team to bid on Williams. If a team did place a bid on Williams, the Giants would have had an opportunity to counter, which would elevate his price tag and potentially take him out of affordable range.
However, GM Dave Gettleman views him as a long-term solution in the middle of the defensive front, paired with Dexter Lawrence and Dalvin Tomlinson. The theory is that if the Giants can land a big-name pass-rusher in free agency, they will have a daunting defensive front, but they will need to allocate resources toward a No. 1 cornerback as well.
Overall, Williams was worthy of the franchise tag in Gettleman’s eyes, now he has to play like it.
The Giants will then have a quality run-stopping interior defender, who draws ample double-teams. He’s a good player, but offering a 3rd and 5th round pick in addition to $12.3 million is a hefty price to pay.