The New York Giants have made some crucial moves to clear up cap space over the past two weeks. Outside of the restructuring of Blake Martinez and Sterling Shepard’s contracts, the Giants have cut some players to clear cap space. In particular, the Giants have released two tight ends in an effort to become more financially healthy. With Evan Engram unlikely to be re-signed, who will play tight end for the Giants in 2022?
Finding a new tight end
Mo Alie-Cox is a veteran tight end with a well-rounded skill set that could make him a perfect fit in Brian Daboll’s new offensive scheme. The Indianapolis Colts utilized Mo Alie-Cox in a 12-personnel heavy offense that featured him alongside Jack Doyle. With Doyle’s retirement announced this week, Mo Alie-Cox could be a priority re-signing for the Colts. But if he manages to hit free agency, the Giants should consider making Alie-Cox their top priority.
Hayden Hurst was a first-round pick with the Baltimore Ravens in 2018. Hurst, however, was quickly overshadowed by Mark Andrews, who has turned into one of the best tight ends in the NFL in recent years. This led the Ravens to trade Hurst to the Atlanta Falcons in 2020. Hurst has caught nine touchdown passes in two seasons with Atlanta.
Hayden Hurst has had a solid NFL career, being a consistently average-to-above tight end in the league. But the reason that Hurst makes so much sense for the Giants is a crucial coaching connection. The Giants hired tight ends coach Andy Bischoff this offseason. For Hayden Hurst’s first two career seasons, Bischoff was the tight ends coach for the Baltimore Ravens. Hayden Hurst could team back up with Andy Bischoff and return to form with the New York Giants.
The 2022 NFL Draft could also be an option for the Giants to find a new tight end. General manager Joe Schoen has a history of finding tight end talent in the middle rounds of the draft. In 2019, the Buffalo Bills drafted Dawson Knox in the third round of the draft. Joe Schoen could look to repeat history and find the New York Giants’ next tight end in the middle rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft.