Giants Contract Extension Candidates: Who Should New York Lock Up?

As the NFL calendar turns to June, teams gain the ability to make roster moves and create salary cap space. For the New York Giants, this opens up opportunities to potentially extend contracts for key players before they hit free agency. Let's examine some of the top candidates on the Giants roster who could be in line for new deals.

Germaine Aluminor: Versatile Offensive Line Anchor

The most obvious extension candidate on the Giants roster is starting right tackle Germaine Aluminor. After joining the team last offseason, Aluminor proved to be a valuable and versatile piece of the offensive line.

Initially signed to play left guard, Aluminor shifted to right tackle when Evan Neal dealt with injury issues. He then even spent time at left tackle when Andrew Thomas was sidelined. This positional flexibility, combined with above-average play, makes Aluminor an attractive extension target.

However, there are some potential roadblocks to getting a deal done:

• Aluminor may prefer to test the open market as a free agent in 2026
• At age 31 next offseason, this could be his last chance at a big payday
• The Giants' handling of his contract situation was criticized on HBO's Hard Knocks

While not an All-Pro level player, Aluminor has embraced the Giants culture and fanbase. His ability to play multiple positions at an above-average level is extremely valuable. The Giants would be wise to try locking him up before he potentially hits free agency, even if Aluminor may be hesitant to sign early.

Wandale Robinson: Slot Receiver with Upside?

Former second-round pick Wandale Robinson is entering the final year of his rookie contract. The diminutive slot receiver has shown flashes but hasn't quite lived up to his draft status yet.

Robinson's production has increased each season:

• 2022: 23 catches, 227 yards
• 2023: 60 catches, 525 yards, 1 TD
• 2024: 93 catches, 699 yards, 3 TDs

At just 5'8", Robinson has a limited catch radius and route tree. He profiles more as a secondary slot option rather than a true #1 inside receiver. Recent contracts for similar players like Buffalo's Khalil Shakir (3 years, $45 million) set a high market price for slot receivers.

The Giants front office has expressed confidence in Robinson, with GM Joe Schoen praising him alongside Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton. If they truly believe Robinson can reach new heights with their new quarterback, extending him now before a potential breakout could be prudent.

However, Robinson's limitations make him a questionable extension candidate. The Giants may be better off letting him play out his rookie deal unless they can sign him to a team-friendly contract.

Michael McFadden: Defensive Standout

One of the Giants' best day three draft picks in recent years, linebacker Michael McFadden has outperformed expectations since being selected in the 5th round. He's established himself as a key defensive contributor and tackling machine.

McFadden's production speaks for itself:

• 2023: 101 tackles, 12 tackles for loss
• 2024: 107 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 3 sacks

Entering his third straight season with 100+ tackles, McFadden embodies the smart, tough, dependable traits the Giants covet. As one of GM Joe Schoen's few successful day three picks, extending McFadden makes sense both from a football and culture standpoint.

Locking up a homegrown talent like McFadden before he potentially hits the open market should be a priority for New York. His consistent production and locker room presence make him an ideal extension candidate.

Cordell Flott: Young, Versatile Defensive Back

Another member of the Giants' 2022 draft class, cornerback Cordell Flott hasn't quite lived up to his 3rd round draft status. However, he's shown enough promise and versatility to warrant consideration for an extension.

At just 23 years old, Flott still has room for growth. He's displayed the ability to play both outside corner and in the slot. While not a star, Flott has been a capable fill-in when called upon.

A modest 3-year, $8 million type of deal could make sense for both sides. It would give the Giants a young, versatile backup at multiple spots in the secondary. For Flott, it provides some security while still allowing him to potentially hit free agency again at age 26.

The Giants likely don't want to let a 24-year-old former 3rd round pick walk for nothing. A reasonable extension could be mutually beneficial.

Other Names to Monitor

Kayvon Thibodeaux

The Giants picked up the 5th year option on their 2022 first-round edge rusher. However, an early extension seems unlikely for a few reasons:

• The team wants to see how Thibodeaux performs in their new defensive scheme
• Thibodeaux likely wants to have a big season to maximize his value

Both sides appear content to let the 2025 season play out before engaging in serious extension talks.

Evan Neal

After declining Neal's 5th year option, an extension is extremely unlikely. The former 7th overall pick will need to show major improvement in 2025 to remain with the Giants long-term.

Salary Cap Considerations

Any potential extensions need to be viewed through the lens of the Giants' overall cap situation. While exact 2026 cap figures aren't known, the team needs to be mindful of future commitments.

Extending younger players like McFadden or Flott on reasonable deals could provide cost certainty. For veterans like Aluminor, the Giants need to weigh the benefits of locking him up early versus maintaining future flexibility.

The Importance of Homegrown Talent

For a team still in the middle of a rebuild, retaining and developing homegrown talent is crucial. Players like McFadden and Flott represent affordable depth with upside. Even if they don't develop into stars, having reliable role players on reasonable contracts is valuable.

Aluminor, while not drafted by the Giants, has become an important part of the offensive line. His versatility provides excellent insurance across multiple positions.

Extending the right players before they hit free agency accomplishes a few key things:

1. It rewards players who have bought into the team's culture
2. It provides cost certainty and potential value if the player continues to improve
3. It allows the team to retain known commodities rather than bidding against the open market

Balancing Present and Future

Any extension decisions need to balance immediate needs with long-term planning. The Giants are still building towards contention, so tying up too much future cap space could be detrimental.

However, letting too many solid contributors walk in free agency creates additional holes to fill. This is especially true for a team that has struggled to consistently hit on draft picks.

The front office needs to identify which players are true building blocks worth investing in versus those who may be replaceable. This requires honest evaluation of not just on-field performance, but also leadership, work ethic, and scheme fit.

The Quarterback Factor

The Giants' plans at quarterback will have a major impact on extension decisions. If they believe they have their franchise QB of the future, locking up offensive linemen like Aluminor becomes even more important.

Conversely, if they're still searching for a long-term answer at QB, maintaining cap flexibility may take precedence. This could mean being more selective with extensions and letting some solid-but-unspectacular players test the market.

Learning from Past Mistakes

The Giants have made some costly errors with extensions in recent years. Overpaying for players like Kenny Golladay and Adoree' Jackson hampered their cap situation and roster flexibility.

Any new extensions need to provide clear value and upside for the team. Frontloading deals to take advantage of current cap space while maintaining future flexibility should be a priority.

The front office also needs to be realistic about player valuations. Paying good-not-great players like they're stars is a recipe for cap trouble down the line.

Potential Extension Structures

When considering extensions, the Giants have several contract structures they could employ:

1. Short-term prove-it deals: 1-2 year extensions that allow both sides to reassess after a short period
2. Mid-length deals with team options: 3-4 year deals with club options in the final years to maintain flexibility
3. Long-term deals with easy outs: 5+ year deals that are essentially 2-3 year commitments with team-friendly structures in later years

The appropriate structure depends on the individual player, their age, and their perceived ceiling.

The Importance of Timing

Extending players early can provide value, but it also carries risk. The team needs to be confident in a player's trajectory and fit within the organization.

Waiting too long, however, can lead to bidding wars in free agency or having to use the franchise tag. Finding the sweet spot between having enough information to make an informed decision and still getting ahead of the market is crucial.

Conclusion

As the Giants continue rebuilding their roster, strategic extensions can play a key role. Locking up the right core players provides stability and potential value.

Top extension candidates include:

1. Germaine Aluminor (OT)
2. Michael McFadden (LB)
3. Cordell Flott (CB)

Wandale Robinson (WR) and Kayvon Thibodeaux (EDGE) are other names to monitor, though extensions seem less likely at this stage.

Ultimately, any extension decisions need to align with the team's long-term vision and salary cap strategy. Balancing retention of key contributors with maintaining future flexibility will be crucial as the Giants look to build a sustainable contender.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE2H5skQdDw