With free agency frenzy dying down Big Blue begins to focus on the draft in April. GM Joe Schoen and his team did a solid job utilizing their salary cap availability to address several holes in their lineup. I still expect them to hold onto their #25 overall first round pick as draft capital is still important and they can draft an impact player in that spot. There still be a move or two to be made once several contracts are restructured to free up more cap space.

The negotiations with QB Daniel Jones went down to the last minute but they locked up the young signal caller for 4 more years. There has been much conversation about the $160MM contract but here are two key points. The 4^th year is voidable so the three-yr. AAV is $37.5MM which is in line with the current market. His 2023 cap hit is only $19MM which was a huge savings as the team plans their spending for the year.

After locking up Jones to a long term contract, the Giants immediately placed the franchise tag on RB Saquon Barkley. They will have until mid July to negotiate a long term deal with Saquon. I believe this will be done after several other contracts are restructured. He is a part of their future in my opinion. RB Matt Breida was signed to a 1 yr. deal to back up Saquon once again.

The receiving corps received the beginnings of a facelift and will continue with the draft next month. WR Darius Slayton was re-signed to a 2 yr. deal. He had a bounceback season last year and has a good rapport with Jones. He also can stretch the field. Young WR Isiah Hodgins was given a very cheap one-year deal. He showed promise at the end of last year but at best he is a #2 receiver. WR WanDale Robinson tore his ACL in November and likely will miss training camp & the early part of the season. Veteran WR Sterling Shepard was signed to a one yr. veteran minimum deal, but his timing is in question as he rehabs after his ACL injury. WR Parris Campbell was signed to provide some speed and also play some slot receiver. WR Kenny Golladay was cut as expected to free up cap space. Big WR Collin Johnson was having a great training camp until he tore his Achilles. If he comes back strong, it will be a nice bonus. I think they will draft a receiver in Round 2 or 3 if they don't draft one in Round 1. Given their remaining needs, I see them drafting either a cornerback or edge rusher in the first round, not a receiver.

The biggest splash Big Blue has made so far was the acquisition of talented TE Darren Waller from the Raiders for a 3^rd round pick, This was a genius move by Schoen as it basically became Waller for Kadarius Toney plus a 6^th round pick which they also received in the trade with KC for Toney. The receiver free agent market and draft class are average at best but Waller will bring #1 receiver chops to this offense. If he stays healthy, expect him to play a role like Travis Kelce as OC Mike Kafka will line him up everywhere. He will be a matchup nightmare. Too fast for a linebacker and too big for a defensive back. Expect a lot of two tight end sets with TE Daniel Bellinger.

This is now DL Dexter Lawrence's defense after his breakout campaign in 2022, he needs to be extended! DL Leonard Williams will be restructured as his cap hit in 2023 is brutal. DT Rakeem Nunez-Roche was signed to provide some important rotational depth. Don't be surprised if another edge rusher is drafted next month.

The other big free agent signing was the acquisition of LB Bobby Okereke. He is a 3 down player who can play the run and pass. He is the tackling machine they have needed and should provide a nice boost to their rush defense. Another LB might be drafted in the mid rounds to provide competition and depth. Remember, they still have LB Darrian Beavers coming back from an ACL injury who they were very high on him in training camp but you can't count on guys coming back from serious injuries. It will be gravy if he can contribute.

I believe the Giants will draft a cornerback in the first round. It's a good group this year and they need another corner opposite CB Adoree Jackson.

That's it for now. More to come in April after the draft.

End.