Giants Free Agency Preview: Top Targets and Darius Slayton's Future

Giants Free Agency Outlook

With the NFL free agency period set to open on March 10th, the New York Giants find themselves in an intriguing position. Armed with significant cap space and multiple needs to address, General Manager Joe Schoen and Head Coach Brian Daboll face critical decisions that will shape the team's future. Let's break down some key targets and storylines to watch.

Current Cap Situation

The Giants currently sit 13th in the NFL with approximately $47.1 million in cap space. However, this number could increase significantly through a few strategic moves:

• Easy cap cuts could free up an additional $10 million
• Restructuring contracts for Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, and Andrew Thomas could potentially add another $40 million

This financial flexibility gives the Giants options to be aggressive in free agency if they choose.

Potential Free Agent Targets

Safety: Javon Holland

ESPN's free agent analysis surprisingly linked Miami Dolphins safety Javon Holland to the Giants as a potential "best fit." While Holland is undoubtedly a talented player, this connection raises some eyebrows.

Holland's Profile:

• Age: 24
• Size: 6'1", 210 lbs
• Career Stats: 5 interceptions, 16 pass breakups, 5 forced fumbles, 5 sacks

Pros:

• Young, ascending player
• Versatile skillset to impact all levels of the defense
• Playmaking ability (Giants had only 5 interceptions as a team in 2024)

Cons:

• Would likely command a massive contract (potentially near $100 million)
• Giants let Xavier McKinney walk in free agency last year
• Safety isn't typically considered a premium position

Analysis:

While Holland is an excellent player, pursuing him would be a puzzling move for the Giants. The team just allowed homegrown talent Xavier McKinney to depart, citing a desire to allocate resources to more impactful positions. Reversing course now and potentially overpaying for Holland doesn't align with the team's stated philosophy.

Additionally, Holland is coming off a down year in 2024 compared to his stellar 2023 campaign:

• 2023 PFF Grades: 90.4 overall, 82.5 run defense, 84.0 tackling, 89.9 coverage
• 2024 PFF Grades: Significant decline across the board

The Giants would be better served addressing other needs and finding more cost-effective solutions at safety.

Offensive Line: Teven Jenkins

ESPN also connected Chicago Bears offensive lineman Teven Jenkins to the Giants. This potential fit makes more sense given New York's ongoing struggles along the offensive line.

Jenkins' Profile:

• Age: 26
• Position: Guard (has played tackle in the past)
• 2024 Stats: 92% pass block win rate

Pros:

• Versatility to play multiple positions
• Strong run blocker
• Entering his prime years

Cons:

• Extensive injury history
• Has never played a full season

Analysis:

Jenkins is an intriguing option for the Giants. When healthy, he's proven to be an effective player, particularly in the run game. His ability to play multiple positions along the line is valuable for a team needing to improve its depth and overall talent up front.

However, Jenkins' injury history is a major red flag. Let's look at his career snap counts:

• 2021: 6 games, 14% of offensive snaps
• 2022: 13 games, 55% of offensive snaps
• 2023: 12 games, 64.7% of offensive snaps
• 2024: 14 games, 65% of offensive snaps

Overall, Jenkins has played in just 50% of his team's offensive snaps since entering the league. For a Giants team that has been plagued by offensive line injuries in recent years, committing significant money to Jenkins would be a considerable risk.

Pro Football Focus projects a potential 3-year, $40 million deal for Jenkins with $24 million guaranteed. That's a hefty price tag for a player with such a checkered injury history.

Quarterback: Russell Wilson

Perhaps the most intriguing connection ESPN made was linking veteran quarterback Russell Wilson to the Giants. With New York holding the 3rd overall pick in the draft and a clear need at quarterback, bringing in a bridge option like Wilson could make sense.

Wilson's Profile:

• Age: 35
• Career Accomplishments: Super Bowl champion, 9x Pro Bowler
• 2024 Stats (11 starts): 64% completion rate, 2,475 yards, 16 TDs

Pros:

• Veteran leadership
• Still capable of making big plays
• Could mentor a rookie quarterback

Cons:

• Diminished mobility
• Struggles under pressure
• Potential locker room concerns

Analysis:

Wilson presents an interesting option for the Giants. While he's no longer the elite player he once was, he showed flashes of his old form with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024. From Weeks 7-13, Wilson led the Steelers to a 5-1 record while averaging 29 points and 270 passing yards per game.

However, Wilson's limitations were also apparent. He struggles to create plays outside the structure of the offense and has difficulty targeting the middle of the field consistently. The Giants would need to tailor their offense to Wilson's strengths, focusing on play-action and deep shots.

The biggest question surrounding Wilson is his potential contract. His market value is difficult to project, but anything in the $20-30 million range would be a significant investment for the Giants.

Ultimately, Wilson could be a solid bridge option if the Giants draft a quarterback at #3 overall. His leadership and experience could be valuable for a young signal-caller, but the team would need to weigh the financial cost carefully.

Darius Slayton's Future

One of the Giants' own free agents, wide receiver Darius Slayton, was ranked as the 36th best available free agent by ESPN. However, they projected him to potentially sign with the Carolina Panthers rather than return to New York.

Slayton's 2024 Stats:

• 39 receptions
• 14.2 yards per catch

Pros:

• Deep threat ability
• Familiarity with the Giants' system

Cons:

• Inconsistent hands
• Limited route tree

Analysis:

While Slayton has been a productive player for the Giants at times, re-signing him should not be a high priority. His struggles with drops have been a persistent issue throughout his career:

• 2024: 4 drops on 39 catches (10.3% drop rate)
• 2023: 7 drops on 46 catches (15.2% drop rate)
• 2022: 6 drops on 26 catches (23.1% drop rate)

Pro Football Focus projects a potential 3-year, $37.5 million deal for Slayton. At that price point, the Giants would be better served exploring other options in free agency or the draft. Players like Tee Higgins or Chris Godwin, while more expensive, would represent significant upgrades to the receiving corps.

Additionally, there's an argument to be made for a culture change within the Giants' locker room. Moving on from players associated with recent losing seasons could help usher in a new era for the franchise.

Key Takeaways

1. Safety Concerns: Pursuing Javon Holland would be a questionable use of resources given the team's recent history with Xavier McKinney.

2. O-Line Gamble: Teven Jenkins offers intriguing upside but comes with significant injury risk.

3. QB Dilemma: Russell Wilson could be a viable bridge option, but his contract demands will be crucial.

4. Slayton's Future: Re-signing Darius Slayton should not be a priority given his inconsistency and potential price tag.

5. Focus on Offense: The Giants should prioritize building around a potential rookie quarterback through free agency and the draft.

As the free agency period approaches, Giants fans should expect an active offseason. With significant cap space and the 3rd overall pick, Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll have the opportunity to reshape the roster and potentially find the franchise's quarterback of the future. How they navigate these crucial decisions will go a long way in determining the team's trajectory for years to come.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsViR3uWkHk