The Giants’ free agency needs and potential targets at every position (original) (raw)

Giants general manager Joe Schoen says his goal is to go into the draft with a roster that could play a game — that way the Giants won’t be forced to make any picks based on need. Filling needs is what free agency is for.

The Giants’ roster has plenty of holes as the negotiating period opens on Monday afternoon. They have $14.3 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap, which ranks 20th in the league. They can easily create more space with contract restructures, so they’ll be able to spend to upgrade the roster even if they likely avoid the top of the market.

Expect a steady influx of players with ties to Harbaugh, as new coaches typically import familiar faces to help establish a culture.

Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the Giants’ needs heading into free agency, with a look at potential options to address them.

Quarterback

Starter: Jaxson Dart
Backup: Jameis Winston
Free agent: Russell Wilson
Need level: Low
Potential free-agent targets: Brandon Allen (Titans)

The Giants are set at quarterback with Dart and Winston, but they’ll need to add depth for the offseason and eventually the practice squad. Tyler Huntley would have been an obvious fit as a cheap option with an extensive history with Harbaugh, but he re-signed with the Ravens on Saturday. Instead, they could go with Allen, who was with new quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan in Tennessee last season. An undrafted rookie should be added as a camp arm. The Giants should consider extending Winston, who is entering the final season of the two-year, $8 million contract signed last offseason.

Running back

Starter: Cam Skattebo
Backups: Tyrone Tracy Jr., Devin Singletary, Eric Gray, Dante Miller
Free agents: N/A
Need level: Medium
Potential free-agent targets: Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks), Rico Dowdle (Panthers), J.K. Dobbins (Broncos), Tyler Allgeier (Falcons), FB Patrick Ricard (Ravens)

Conversations with league sources this offseason have indicated that the external view of the Giants’ backfield isn’t as high as the internal assessment. The Giants’ rumored interest in some of the top backs on the market, led by Walker, signals that Harbaugh believes an upgrade is necessary. The Ravens had 487 more rushing attempts than any other team during Harbaugh’s 18 years in Baltimore. He wants to build a smashmouth offense and may put a heavier emphasis on having an elite back after deploying Derrick Henry for the past two seasons. Still, spending on Walker, who league sources expect to command a payday worth $15 million annually, seems too rich for the Giants.

Singletary, surprisingly, is remaining with the team after agreeing to a pay cut. With his salary reportedly being trimmed from $5 million to the league minimum, the move doesn’t offer any hints about the Giants’ plans. Ricard is an obvious target as an affordable option who will help Harbaugh infuse his culture into the Giants. The 300-pound fullback has spent his entire nine-year career in Baltimore.

Wide receiver

Starters: Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Gunner Olszewski
Backups: Jalin Hyatt, Beaux Collins, Dalen Cambre, Xavier Gipson, Da’Quan Felton, Courtney Jackson
Free agents: Wan’Dale Robinson, Isaiah Hodgins, Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Ryan Miller
Need level: Medium
Potential free-agent targets: Jauan Jennings (49ers), Romeo Doubs (Packers), Tyquan Thornton (Chiefs), Jalen Nailor (Vikings), Darnell Mooney (Falcons), DeAndre Hopkins (Ravens), Marquise Brown (Chiefs)

A case could be made that the need at receiver is high, considering Nabers’ ongoing recovery from a major knee injury and Slayton’s disappointing 2025 season. But the Giants do have those two starters in place, so they likely won’t break the bank on a top option like Alec Pierce. Re-signing Robinson has appeal, but with league sources projecting a salary over $15 million per year, he could be priced out.

The free-agent receiver class is uninspiring, so this position could be upgraded via trade or the draft instead. The good news: There is a variety of play styles on the market. Thornton could be an affordable big-play threat who was with new offensive coordinator Matt Nagy in Kansas City last season.

Tight end

Starter: Theo Johnson
Backups: Thomas Fidone II, Tanner Conner
Free agents: Daniel Bellinger, Chris Manhertz
Need level: Medium
Potential free-agent targets: Isaiah Likely (Ravens), Chigoziem Okonkwo (Titans), Charlie Kolar (Ravens)

Tight end appears to be another major need, but the Giants are high on Johnson, so a major investment would be a surprise. Likely’s past with Harbaugh may not lead to a reunion since his role was limited over four seasons in Baltimore. Kolar is the former Ravens tight end who could be the better fit, as his blocking skills align with the Giants’ expected run-heavy attack.

Offensive line

Starters: LT Andrew Thomas, LG Jon Runyan, C John Michael Schmitz, RG Jake Kubas, RT Marcus Mbow
Backups: C Bryan Hudson, C Reid Holskey
Free agents: T Jermaine Eluemunor, G Greg Van Roten, C Austin Schlottmann, G Aaron Stinnie, G Evan Neal, G Joshua Ezeudu
Need level: High
Potential free-agent targets: C Tyler Linderbaum (Ravens), G Wyatt Teller (Browns), G Isaac Seumalo (Steelers), G Alijah Vera-Tucker (Jets), G Dylan Parham (Raiders), G Kevin Zeitler (Titans), G Daniel Faalele (Ravens), T Braden Smith (Colts)

A weak tackle class drives home the importance of re-signing Eluemunor. League sources forecast a wide range for Eluemunor’s market value, varying from 13millionto13 million to 13millionto18 million per year. The Giants should be comfortable in that range after Eluemunor’s solid play the past two seasons — but tackles who can pass protect get paid, so those estimates may be low. Of the Giants’ top free agents, Eluemunor is the one with the highest odds of re-signing.

Linderbaum could be the Giants’ biggest investment of free agency if they can land the 25-year-old three-time Pro Bowler. But a bidding war could drive Linderbaum’s salary over $20 million per year — don’t expect the Giants to extend that far. Instead, they can stick with Schmitz at center and redirect funds to guard. There’s a strong possibility that the Giants will invest in a quality right guard who will come considerably cheaper than Linderbaum.

Defensive line

Starters: Dexter Lawrence, Roy Robertson-Harris, Darius Alexander
Backups: Elijah Chatman, Marlon Tuipulotu, DeMarvin Leal
Free agents: Rakeem Nunez-Roches, D.J. Davidson
Need level: High
Potential free-agent targets: John Franklin-Myers (Broncos), Sebastian Joseph-Day (Titans), Calais Campbell (Cardinals), DJ Reader (Lions), David Onyemata (Falcons), Sheldon Rankins (Texans)

The Giants need to make a serious investment in their interior defensive line to finally fix their porous run defense. The problem with this free-agent market is so many of the top options are older. That likely won’t stop the 29-year-old Franklin-Myers from cashing in, but it could produce some bargains if the Giants take a calculated approach to the market. The ageless Campbell spent three seasons with Harbaugh in Baltimore.

Outside linebacker

Starters: Brian Burns, Abdul Carter
Backups: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Chauncey Golston
Free agents: Victor Dimukeje, Tomon Fox, Caleb Murphy, Trace Ford
Need level: Low
Potential free-agent targets: Jihad Ward (Titans), Kyle Van Noy (Ravens)

This is easily the deepest position on the roster, with Thibodeaux a strong No. 3 edge rusher and Golston a quality run defender. This position only becomes a priority if the Giants trade Thibodeaux, who is due $14.8 million this season. The Giants are open to trading Thibodeaux, but they won’t give away the 25-year-old. Their asking price is believed to be a Day 2 pick, but his market isn’t that strong coming off a 2.5-sack season. The Giants will likely hang onto Thibodeaux unless they receive an attractive player-for-player offer.

Inside linebacker

Starters: Darius Muasau, Chris Board
Backups: Swayze Bozeman
Free agents: Micah McFadden, Neville Hewitt, Zaire Barnes
Need level: High
Potential free-agent targets: Tremaine Edmunds (Bears), Alex Anzalone (Lions), Leo Chenal (Chiefs), Kaden Elliss (Falcons), Alex Singleton (Broncos)

The Giants cut Bobby Okereke, who manned the middle of the defense for the past three seasons, generating $9 million in cap savings. The linebacker room will be overhauled, although McFadden could return on a cheap deal after missing almost all of last season with a foot injury. The Giants don’t figure to shop at the top of the inside linebacker market, but there are plenty of mid-tier options like Edmunds and Anzalone who could fit. Using the No. 5 pick on Ohio State’s Sonny Styles would be in line with Harbaugh’s history of major investments at inside linebacker.

Cornerback

Starters: Paulson Adebo, Deonte Banks, Dru Phillips
Backups: Korie Black, Rico Payton, Jarrick Bernard-Converse, TJ Moore, Myles Purchase
Free agents: Cor’Dale Flott, Art Green, Nic Jones
Need level: Medium
Potential free-agent targets: Jamel Dean (Buccaneers), Chidobe Awuzie (Ravens)

There was a report out of Kansas City that the Giants pursued ex-Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie, who last week was traded to the Rams (a report that might have been overstated). The Giants aren’t in position to rival the package offered by the Rams, which included first- and third-round picks.

Still, the Giants do need to make an investment at cornerback. Re-signing Flott would be the most direct avenue to addressing the position. Flott’s market has been tricky to project. Polling league sources suggested it could be $11 million per year. The Giants would likely pay that amount, but they may bow out if bidding for the 24-year-old stretches higher. Awuzie, who played well last season in Baltimore, could be a cheap backup plan.

Safety

Starters: Jevon Holland, Tyler Nubin
Backups: Beau Brade, Raheem Layne, Anthony Johnson Jr., Patrick McMorris
Free agents: Dane Belton
Need level: Medium
Potential free-agent targets: Ar’Darius Washington (Ravens), Alohi Gilman (Ravens), Geno Stone (Bengals), Chuck Clark (Steelers), Tony Jefferson (Chargers)

The Giants need to find an upgrade on Nubin as an every-down player. The 2024 second-round pick found a role as a box safety late last season, but new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson needs interchangeable safeties. The good news is the market is flooded with low-cost veterans with ties to Harbaugh and/or Wilson, so the Giants will have plenty of options.

Special teams

Starters: K Graham Gano, P Jamie Gillan
Backup: K Ben Sauls
Free agents: LS Casey Kreiter
Need level: High
Potential free-agent targets: K Jason Sanders (Dolphins), Jordan Stout (Ravens)

The Giants, surprisingly, hadn’t made any special teams moves as of Sunday afternoon. Cutting Gano for $4.5 million in cap savings seems like an obvious move. Sauls was perfect in a three-game cameo at the end of last season, but that’s not enough to hand him the kicking job; competition should be added. Sanders is the top option on the market after getting cut by the Dolphins last week. There are no real cap savings from cutting Gillan, but Harbaugh may prefer an upgrade. The specialists could get a complete makeover if Kreiter doesn’t sign his seventh consecutive one-year contract with the team. Harbaugh’s special-teams background lends confidence that he’ll have a sound plan.