The New York Giants will reportedly prioritize a veteran cornerback once free agency begins later this month, and it would appear as if Byron Jones will top their list of targets.
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reports that the Giants are “in the mix” for Jones even though they are not legally allowed to discuss a potential contract with he or his representation until March 16 (when the legal tampering window opens).
This is not the first report to surface suggesting the Giants will make a run at Jones. Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post had previously reported the same thing.
Smoke, meet fire.
The looming concern is how much Jones will cost, which may be somewhat insignificant to the Giants, who will carry more than $70 million in available cap space into free agency.
Former NFL agent and salary cap expert, Joel Corry, believes Jones will command more than $16 million per season with more than $50 million guaranteed.
“Anything under $16 million per year with fewer than $50 million in overall guarantees would be surprising,” Corry said recently, via CBS Sports. “I doubt he’s back in Dallas. I’ve thought his long-term fate with the Cowboys was sealed when (right tackle) La’el Collins signed a contract extension at the end of last preseason.”
The 27-year-old Jones was a first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and went on to earn Pro Bowl and Second Team All-Pro status in 2018. In 2019, he finished the season with a 76.1 grade courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
In 79 career games, Jones has recorded 349 tackles, 11 stuffs, 43 passes defensed, three forced fumbles, two interceptions and one touchdown.
