The New York Giants would like to get their hands on Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue come free agency next month, but the price is going to be high — perhaps even out of their range.
Ngakoue would fit nicely into the Giants’ plans but first he must reach free agency. The Jaguars know exactly what they have and might not let go that easily.
All he has done since the Jaguars took him in the third round in 2016 is rack up 37.5 sacks (second on the franchise’s all-time list) and 14 forced fumbles. The tag would be for approximately $19.3 million, which is doable because the Jaguars are expected to release several players in the coming weeks to clear about $35 million ($46 million if CB A.J. Bouye is released). Ngakoue wants a long-term deal and is seeking about $22 million annually. He also indicated late last season that he would be unlikely to show up until the Aug. 11 reporting deadline for players under contract if he had to play on the franchise tag.
Ngakoue, third-round pick out of Maryland in 2016, is still just 24 and would be the perfect player for the Giants to build their pass rush around. The Giants know exactly what he can do, as they’ve seen it up close. He’s also mentioned the Giants as a possible destination.
All that will be moot should the Jags slap the tag on Ngakoue. Even if they don’t, can the Giants afford to pay him the $22 million he’s allegedly seeking?
They can outbid the Jags, who have just $22 million in available cap space at the moment (the Giants have $61 million), but they also have to pay Leonard Williams approximately $14-15 million this season if they want that trade to not be a total loss.
This is another instance of the Giants’ shortsightedness, not knowing the market and who to conserve resources for.
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