As we journey forward into the depths of the NFL Postseason, we can sit back and evaluate the coming months for the New York Giants. From free agents to draft prospects, there are plenty of players to sift through and rank according to our needs and wants.
However, there needs to be a clear plan as to rebuilding/re-shaping the team with new head coach, Joe Judge, taking over at the helm. The 2020 season will spell several things — the departure of Eli Manning, the addition of numerous impact players, and the return of injured ones.
SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano detailed the list of essentials the Giants need to consider moving forward:
- Load up on Hog Mollies … for real this time
- Spend money on a pass-rushing stud
- Try and re-sign Markus Golden and Leonard Williams to reasonable deals
- Don’t cut LT Nate Solder
- Sign a center in free agency
- Offer LB Alec Ogletree a pay cut to stay
- Switch back to a 4-3 defense
Ralph is spot on with a majority of these ideas. However, I have a few differing thoughts.
As for the offensive line, the Giants ‘must’ allocate more resources, considering the demise of Nate Solder and center Jon Halapio’s disappointing performance.
At pass-rusher, the Giants desperately need to upgrade the position, especially with Yannick Ngakoue available in free agency. One of my concerns is the Giants’ defensive scheme, which remains a 3-4 until otherwise specified. Ralph hints they could resort back to a 4-3, which I prefer, but it would affect Markus Golden’s impact, as he played well in the 3-4 this past season, and it would change the entire defensive look. Are the rookie players ready for that type of transition already?
As for Alec Ogletree, he should be cut and forgotten about, unless he’s taking a pay-cut so steep that he’s basically doing charity work. He would count $3.5 million in dead cap if cut, thus lowering his cap-hit to $6 million would be reasonable, as the differential in savings if cut would be about $8.25 million. The Giants could allocate all of that towards a player like Corey Littleton of the Rams, but they may have plans for Ogletree until his contract expires in 2022.