With NFL free agency less than a month away, it’s becoming easier to envision new faces in the new places. For the New York Giants, that means placing the top available pass rushers atop their wish list.
One player, Tampa Bay’s Shaq Barrett, appears to be willing to give the Bucs a home team discount but others are champing at the bit to test the free agent waters.
Here’s who NFL.com sees as the best fit for the Giants:
NEW YORK GIANTS: Jadeveon Clowney, defensive end
The Giants are young and need help in a variety of areas, but with nearly $62 million in projected cap space, New York has the room to sign a big-time player at edge rusher. The Giants will likely first try to keep Leonard Williams at a lower number, but if they want to aim for the big catch, Clowney would fit the bill and provide an instant impact at a position of need.
Williams will likely cost the Giants a pretty penny, so he will eat up the majority of cash they can afford to allocate to the defensive line. Clowney would put them over — way over.
Keep in mind after entering the league with a high ceiling as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Clowney has never registered a double-digit sack season and has battled injuries along the way.
The upside is Clowney is still only 27 years old and his best football may still be in front of him. Again, price will dictate who the Giants target come March 18. They will kick the tires on Clowney but they aren’t expected to be serious suitors.
The Giants also have the No. 4 overall selection in the draft and could leverage that into a package via a trade, but given general manager Dave Gettleman’s history that seems unlikely.
