The NFL’s tampering period begins on Monday at noon eastern, allowing the New York Giants and the rest of the league to start negotiating with free agents. While these negotiations can take place, teams cannot officially sign a player until March 13.
The Giants have a slew of needs to address this offseason and can waste no time in doing so. General manager Dave Gettleman will be looking to add a pass-rusher (or two), a pair of safeties, a right tackle and some help at cornerback.
Sure, free agency won’t cure all of these ills by itself, but it’s certainly a start before the upcoming NFL Draft. So, let the tampering begin as we take a look at who the Giants should be talking to early on with free agency rapidly approaching.
Trey Flowers, EDGE
Acquiring a pass-rusher is a top priority for the Giants this offseason and that’s especially true now that the team just dealt away its best pass-rusher remaining, Olivier Vernon, to the Cleveland Browns.
Defensive end Trey Flowers is one of the top pass-rushers currently on the market after the New England Patriots failed to place the franchise tag on him. The 25-year-old former fourth-round pick had his best season with the New England Patriots in 2018, notching a career-high 7.5 sacks and ranking as Pro Football Focus’ No. 6 edge defender.
Flowers isn’t a guy who will compile a large number of sacks, but he is a disruptive force in opposing backfields and would be just what the doctor ordered for Big Blue’s ailing pass-rush.
Za’Darius Smith, EDGE
Ranked as Pro Football Focus’ most under-the-radar free agent of 2019, linebacker Za’Darius Smith isn’t getting as much attention as some of the top free-agent names, but he should be.
While he won’t help against the run much, Smith had a breakout year in 2018 with the Baltimore Ravens, as he posted a career-high 8.5 sacks. His 60 pressures were good enough for 17th among edge defenders. The former first-round pick graded out as the No. 33 edge defender by PFF and is entering the prime of his career at the age of 26.
With so many top pass-rushers getting the franchise tag, Smith has worked his way up the rankings and has become a top option at his position.
Tyrann Mathieu, S
The Giants already had a hole at the safety position even with Landon Collins on the roster, but now that Big Blue’s former second-round pick is departing, the team has two needs at safety.
Pro Football Focus graded Mathieu as the No. 21 safety during his first and perhaps only season with the Houston Texans. Much of that grade came from the fact that Mathieu was good against the run, ranking as the No. 5 safety in the NFL. The 26-year-old also tied his own personal-best mark with 89 total tackles.
The Honey Badger wasn’t great in coverage, which has traditionally been his strength, but he is still a veteran playmaker who can make a significant impact on a defense from day one. To add to his appeal, Mathieu has shown the versatility to be able to play either safety position, and he even played some corner for the Texans last season.
Pierre Desir, CB
As much attention as the Giants’ run defense got last season for its poor play, Big Blue’s pass defense was just as bad. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins took another step in the wrong direction and an already ineffective Eli Apple was dealt to the New Orleans Saints, leaving New York with even less talent in the secondary.
After bouncing around with a few different teams in his first three seasons in the NFL, cornerback Pierre Desir finally had his breakout season during his second campaign with the Indianapolis Colts. Pro Football Focus rated Desir as the No. 18 cornerback in the league and he proved to be an elite defender against the run, earning himself a grade of 90.3. His 79 total tackles were also a career-high.
Desir won’t solve all of Big Blue’s problems against the pass, but pairing him with Jenkins would be a major boost for the Giants’ defense, both against the run and pass.
Daryl Williams, RT
With the Giants trading Vernon to the Browns, Big Blue was able to secure another spot on its offensive line by receiving right guard Kevin Zeitler. And, now that Jon Halapio is signed for another season, it appears the Giants have one more spot to fill at right tackle.
After coming off an injury-shortened season in 2018 thanks to a torn MCL, tackle Daryl Williams is one of the more intriguing options on the open market. Before that injury, Williams ranked as the No. 3 overall tackle by PFF in 2017, and the No. 1 right tackle in the NFL.
Despite his injury concerns from last season, Williams is just 26 years old and it’s feasible that the Giants could land him on a short-term, prove-it deal. It is also possible that signing Williams could net the Giants a potentially elite tackle for a fair price.
