What the Giants did most of all with their uncharacteristic free agency shopping spree was provide themselves with flexibility. They now can look ahead to the NFL Draft — where teams are truly built — knowing they are not obligated to force-feed their picks in order to fix their broken offense.
Any team heading into the draft desperate to upgrade one particular position is holding a weak hand, and a month ago the Giants were looking at a roster that needed a major overhaul on the offensive line. They signed three linemen and though Geoff Schwartz, J.D. Walton and John Jerry were not prize targets on the open market and none has ever had a sniff of the Pro Bowl, all three have been NFL starters. Added to returnees Justin Pugh, Will Beatty (coming off a broken leg) and Chris Snee (coming off hip and elbow surgery) the infusion at least allows the Giants to have an open-minded approach to the No. 12 overall selection in the draft, without thinking they’re boxed into taking an offensive tackle.
There is no doubt general manager Jerry Reese, after the 7-9 season in 2013, picked up on the signals of urgency sent out by co-owner John Mara. Reese prefers to cherry-pick in free agency, making one or two higher-priced deals and augmenting with a sprinkling of signings to help out with depth. That wasn’t going to cut it this time around.
All those one-year contracts he issued in 2013 meant the Giants headed into free agency this winter with 26 of their own free agents and sentiment was not going to even remotely enter into the decision-making process — not after missing out on the playoffs four of the past five years. Reese clearly believes Justin Tuck’s better days are behind him, which is why the non-competitive offer to keep him was nearly doubled by the Raiders, sending the erstwhile defensive captain to Oakland. Just as clearly, Reese wanted to hold onto linebacker Jon Beason, who found only tepid outside interest and returned for three years and $16.8 million.
With the defense in 2013 outperforming the offense, it was surprising Reese made such a push to improve the secondary, and his haul was impressive. The Giants do not usually seek out and land a marquee player with plenty of options, so signing cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to a five-year, $35 million deal was eye-opening, in addition to wallet-opening, and proof the salary cap is something to be navigated around and not hidden behind. With Rodgers-Cromartie, Walter Thurmond, Quintin Demps and the re-signing of Stevie Brown added to Antrel Rolle, Prince Amukamara and Will Hill, the defensive backfield should be set.
The loss of Linval Joseph to the Vikings — the Giants knew he would be too rich for their blood — and Tuck’s departure leaves the defensive line thin and possibly a weak link, unless Jason Pierre-Paul returns to his menacing 2011 form and Johnathan Hankins, in his second year, is ready for full-time action. Despite the clamor for an offensive lineman, it is easy to see Reese going with a defensive lineman in the first round of the draft.
Perhaps the best signing? Running back Rashad Jennings, who was not expensive (four years, $10 million) and could be a workhorse. The most curious signing? Walton, who started for two years for the Broncos, but hasn’t played in two years, mainly because of a dislocated ankle. The greatest potential reward? Linebacker Jameel McClain, a starter with the Ravens, who arrives with something to prove. The greatest risk? Schwartz will add some personality and fire to the offensive line, but he has played on three teams in his last three NFL seasons.
No doubt there was a determined effort to import talent to finally get the weak return game cranked up and Demps and Trindon Holliday are dramatic improvements. Free agency did nothing to find a starting tight end, a high-end receiver or another pass rusher, areas Reese will probe in the upcoming draft, in which the Giants have seven picks, including two in the fifth round with the addition of one compensatory selection.
With only about $4 million left under the cap, the Giants are essentially finished with free agency, other than some roster bottom-feeding. Their accumulation of players followed an aggressive script, yet they are often quick to sneer at teams that make the headlines in March. Massing players in free agency, Mara acknowledged, “doesn’t always work out,’’ but it was the path the Giants felt they needed to travel.