The New York Giants are expected to enter free agency with roughly $61 million in salary cap space (likely much more after cuts), which means they are theoretically in the market for whoever their heart desires.
And while co-owner John Mara has implied the team will not go on a wild spending spree, Pro Football Focus still believes they are going to make a major splash in free agency.
In fact, PFF predicts that the Giants will sign four big-named free agents, including three who play in the secondary.
First up? Re-signing defensive lineman Leonard Williams.
34. DI LEONARD WILLIAMS – NEW YORK GIANTS
Projected contract: 5 years, $15 million per year ($43 million guaranteed)
The Giants don’t have to pay Leonard Williams, but with the way some double down on their mistakes, it seems likely that they’ll continue riding the investment made on him. They gave up a third- and fifth-round pick for him midseason, and he finished off the year just 36th in PFF grade among those at his position. He’s always been a strong run-defender and a below-average pass-rusher. Williams had just a 66.2 pass-rush grade in 2019, which ranked 33rd among those at his position.
PFF believes Williams will get that $15 million per season after all. We shall see. Either way, we’ve beaten the whole Williams story like a dead horse, so let’s move on…
Next up, PFF has the Giants addressing the safety position.
23. S DEVIN MCCOURTY – NEW YORK GIANTS
Projected contract: 2 years, $10 million per year ($10 million guaranteed)
New head coach Joe Judge reportedly isn’t afraid to poach free agents from his previous team in the New England Patriots, and given their need for receiving weapons, the Giants might be in the hands of the guys they aren’t able to pay, such as Devin McCourty. He’ll turn 33 this year and is on the last leg of his football career, but he can be temporary help for a Giants team hindered by their secondary. McCourty has been one of the 10 most valuable safeties in each of the past two seasons, rarely allowing explosive plays and exemplifying great tackling.
McCourty seems like the obvious go-to at the position, not just because the Giants have had interest in him previously, but because there is a connection to head coach Joe Judge. And given his age (32), a two-year deal for McCourty would be ideal.
Still, at $10 million per season, that accounts for $25 million of the team’s available cap space between McCourty and Williams.
From here, PFF has the Giants addressing the cornerback position by signing not one, but two veterans.
43. CB LOGAN RYAN – NEW YORK GIANTS
Projected contract: 3 years, $10.5 million per year ($12.5 million guaranteed)
Bringing back Logan Ryan with Tannehill, Conklin and Henry seems to be a pipe dream. Ryan is by no means an elite slot corner — in fact, he surrendered over 1,000 yards in coverage in 2019 and was constantly picked on. That being said, he’s still an average player at the position — he was the 48th most valuable corner in 2019. His projected contact might be a bit steep, but Ryan could be a big improvement for a team that had a liability defending the slot for them in 2019, such as the Giants. Ryan spent the first four years of his career on the same team as Giants coach Joe Judge and could reunite in New York.
Can’t say we’re loving this projection at all. $10.5 million a year for a slot corner who surrendered 80 receptions (worst in the NFL) and over 1,000 yards in coverage in 2019?
Ryan may be a big-name free agent based on his previous resume, but the last thing the Giants need right now is another corner who struggles in coverage. And that contract on top of it? Hard pass.
But they didn’t stop there… Another questionable cornerback signing coming up…
45. CB TRAE WAYNES – NEW YORK GIANTS
Projected contract: 1 year, $7.5 million ($6.5 million guaranteed)
Trae Waynes is likely going to get a one-year, prove-it deal this free agency. He’s barely cracked the top 50 in grade among those at his position in each of the past two seasons. Waynes really wasn’t a terrible man-corner in 2019, allowing just 71 yards on 134-man coverage snaps. The Giants’ outside corners were the third-lowest graded among the 32 units and are going to need all the help they can get in the new scheme.
Waynes (outside) played better than Ryan (inside) based on many metrics, but he also played nearly 300 fewer snaps in two fewer games. And with a contract that is projected to be almost fully guaranteed? That’s a tough sell.
The experts clearly believe the Giants are going to invest heavily in the cornerback position despite their many draft picks in recent years, but Ryan and Waynes for a combined $39 million? We don’t see it.
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