This off-season for the New York Giants will be tailored around bolstering the defensive side of the ball. With coronavirus potentially setting back the new league year, general manager Dave Gettleman will have more time to evaluate incoming free agents and players in the NFL Draft. Ultimately, with a new head coach in Joe Judge, this is a positive thing for the team as they continue to rebuild and retool both sides of the ball. While defense remains the biggest hole, the offense still needs more resource allocation to reach his potential finally.
With tight end, Rhett Ellison announcing his retirement last week, finding another blocking TE to pair with Evan Engram, Kaden Smith, Garrett Dickerson, and C.J. Conrad will be a priority. Both Engram and Smith more skilled in the passing game but failed to be significant impacts in run blocking efficiency.
I anticipate the Giants and Gettleman going out and finding a replacement for Ellison. One decent option is former Green Bay Packer Jimmy Graham. Graham, who is 33 years old, is coming off a decent season with the Packers. He posted 447 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games. Having spent the last two seasons in Green Bay, he will be looking to join a new team, and his ability in the run blocking game could pay dividends for a team like the Giants.
Graham’s usage won’t be tailored towards receiving abilities, but rather a big body who can hold his own on the line of scrimmage. The big question here might be Graham’s contract, but considering his age and coming off two lackluster seasons, the Giants could land him for $5–6 million per season on a one or two year deal. It could be worth it for the sake of Saquon Barkley’s productivity inefficiency in the run game.
The New York Giants must find a new right tackle:
Aside from the tight end position, right tackle remains a significant void, especially since Mike Remmers seems to be hitting the free-agent market without any consideration of retention. Jack Conklin remains the best option in free agency for Gettleman, but his price tag will likely be far too high considering his issues in pass protection. The Giants are better off allocating a draft pick in the first or second round to the position in hopes that they can develop a player into their starter for the foreseeable future.
Aside from tight end and right tackle, the Giants could be in the market for a new center after Jon Halapio tore his Achilles tendon toward the end of the 2019 season. Lions’ Graham Glasgow could be an option in free agency as well — the trend here revolves around Daniel Jones and ensuring he has ample protection.