News Giants Team Notes

[New York Giants]

Big Blue View mailbag: Giants ownership split, understanding free agency, the draft, more

The mail’s here!

David Kanter asks: All things considered, including 2025 edge contracts being inked, do you think Brian Burns contract is a good one?

Ed says: David, I do not have a problem with the Burns contract.

I know you can look at the sack numbers and say 8.5 isn’t enough for a player with the fourth-highest average salary per year among edge defenders. There is, though, so much more than sack numbers that should be considered.

When do many sacks occur? In the fourth quarter when teams are passing because they are trailing and are desperate. How often is a pass rusher on a 3-14 team in that situation?

Burns is a tremendous player, whatever the stats say. He played much of last season with a groin injury. It is amazing he was as productive as he was and played as much as he did the way he was dragging himself around.

He is a locker room leader and an example for his teammates. He has only two years of guaranteed money left on his deal, and he will be only 27 this year. He is in his prime. He is the kind of player at a premium position that you spend money on.

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Brennan Lyons asks: Is there an NFL rule prohibiting a team from giving non-first round picks (I.e. a second round QB) a fifth-year option the same or similar to the one all first rounders get? I assume there is simply because I don’t recall ever hearing about it, but just to confirm?

Ed says: Brennan, only first-round picks have fifth-year options as part of their rookie contracts. That is why you may see team trade up late into the first round for a quarterback. That fifth-year option can be really valuable to control costs for an additional season.

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Robert Colot asks: Should the Giants use an early draft pick to get an offensive tackle? The Thomas foot injury worries me since some people don’t fully recover from that injury. Neal is obviously not the answer at right tackle.

Ed says: Robert, that’s a tricky question to answer. They have Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor as starters, and signed James Hudson III to be the swing tackle. We don’t know if they will be surrendering draft picks to move up for a quarterback. What I would like to see them do is draft a developmental tackle in the middle rounds. Eluemunor has only one year left on his contract, so getting a potential 2026 replacement for him in this draft would be a good idea.

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John Urbielewicz asks: I think the tank has begun starting with free agency. No Milt Williams, DJ Reed, Johnathan Allen. Instead we splash with Robertson-Harris, Board, and Golston, all with below average PFFs. Come on, what are we doing?

Ed says: John, first of all we know the Giants don’t tank. Remember John Mara addressing that after the season? Second of all, let’s be realistic.

What the Giants are doing is building a 90-man roster. Cornerback Paulson Adebo is a top of the market signing. Safety Jevon Holland is a top of the market signing. Not every signing can be for a player at the top of the market. Bringing back Darius Slayton is an excellent move.

Chauncey Golston is a good player who will have a key role for the Giants defense. Roy Robertson-Harris and Chris Board are depth signings, but, newsflash, they come in spots where the Giants did not have depth a season ago. Same with offensive tackles James Hudson III and Stone Forsythe. The Giants did not have a real swing tackle a year ago. Now, they do.

As for Pro Football Focus scores, they are not the be-all and end-all of judging player performance.

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Thomas Targonski asks: I’m writing this on the first day of free agency.

I know it will be spun in some positive way but the signings of ex-Seahawks DT Harris and ex-Brown OT Hudson are underwhelming at best. PFF grades for both are mediocre. As many have reported, I believe top free agents are avoiding joining the Giants’ mess - and who could blame them?

Ed says: Thomas, my answer is roughly the same as the one I just gave above. Not every signing can be top of the market. In terms of Roy Robertson-Harris, he is a veteran depth signing who was coached in college by Giants defensive line coach Andre Patterson. They know what he can do and signed him for a reason. As for James Hudson, if swing tackles were overwhelming they wouldn’t be swing tackles. He’s an improvement over Josh Ezeudu and Chris Hubbard, and that’s how the signing should be viewed. He is also young enough that perhaps there is still some upside.

As for top free agents avoiding the Giants, that comment was made by Amani Toomer. If it was the case, how do you explain a top of the market cornerback in Paulson Adebo and the premier safety on the market in Jevon Holland joining the Giants? How do you explain Darius Slayton, who had options, deciding to return?

I’m not going to say every one of these moves was perfect, or that they will all pay dividends. That is never the case in free agency or the draft.

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Adam Leon asks: Can you please explain/justify how the NYG would pay Slayton $13M/year for 3 years yet last year they would not give Saquon roughly those same terms..?

This question is not an indictment on Slayton who has been a good Giant, but rather another example of a head scratcher by this regime.

Ed says: Adam, the Giants DID offer Barkley $13 million annually in 2023, but Barkley turned it down because he didn’t like the amount of guaranteed money in the deal. The guaranteed money offered by New York never reached the total of two franchise tags. He signed for three years, $37.75 million with the Philadelphia Eagles, but got more in guarantees than the Giants offered.

This is a quibble, but Slayton’s is $12 million annually, three years, $36 million.

Schoen did not want to pay a big money deal to a 27-year-old back with a long injury history. Barkley made him look bad in 2024, but would Barkley have made the Giants better on the field? Probably not.

Isn’t it time we moved on from the Barkley debate?

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Richard Repasky asks: Given that the Giants have the toughest schedule in 2025, what win-loss record, in your opinion, would be acceptable to John Mara for keeping Daboll and Schoen? For that matter, what record would be acceptable to you for keeping them?

Ed says: Richard, that question is impossible to answer in mid-March. I don’t know that there would ever be a hard number that means fire them if below, keep if above.

It’s about what it looks and feels like. Do they ultimately get a quarterback of the future in place who looks like a potential long-term starter? Are they competitive week-in and week-out? Do players appear bought in or tuned out? Do Schoen and Daboll appear to have learned from some past mistakes?

For me, I just have to see how the season plays out.

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Ronald Lukoff asks: With the Titans and Browns both needing quarterbacks, why would they even consider trading the 1st or 2nd pick. If they are considering this, they obviously do not think to highly of Ward or Sanders. So if both teams are willing to pass on a QB (the most important position in sports), what makes us think that Ward or Sanders is the answer. With the exception of last year, the Giant draft record the previous two years was horrible.if the Giants had the 1st pick, there is no way they would trade it if they felt like a franchise QB was to be had. What are your feelings about trading up to secure one of the quarterbacks?

Ed says: Ronald, I think I have been clear for several weeks that if the Giants feel Cam Ward is the best quarterback in the class and the guy they want to build around, they should do what they deem necessary to make sure they get him. There is no price too high to pay if you get quarterback right. If you get it wrong, you get fired. But, at some point you have to take the swing.

The Titans and Browns need long-term answers at quarterback, yes. They are in different situations than the Giants, though. Each has, in my view, a little more leeway to pass on quarterback at the top of the draft than the Giants do if there isn’t one they LOVE.

Tennessee, in particular, has stated a desire to collect as many Day 1 and Day 2 draft assets as possible.

Also, scouting is not an exact science. It involves human beings and their biases, their experiences. No two scouts or teams will see any player exactly the same way. One team can love a player, while another may not. That happens all the time.

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David Cynamon asks: You have frequently stated, including in this week’s mailbag answers, that the Giants’ 50-50 split ownership “complicates decisions” and “can lead to compromise decisions and a lack of clear direction.” But to all appearances, Tisch is an absentee owner who is there only for the financial side; I have never read or heard of his involvement in any football-related decisions. Can you provide any specific examples (without breaching any confidences) where Tisch’s involvement led to a “compromise decision” or a “lack of clear direction” that hurt the team’s success? My sense is that, while Mara appears to be a good person and someone who wants to do the best for the team and fans, he is too insular and too tied into the “family business” model to run a successful modern football franchise. In another words, the buck stops with him, even though he may get only fifty cents.

Ed says: David, it does seem that Steve Tisch has receded farther and farther into the background in recent years. Tisch has not been involved regularly in the football side the entire time I have covered the team, but his opinion on major changes still carries weight. As I have said, it’s an equal split in terms of finances and authority.

This goes back a while, but I don’t think John Mara wanted Tom Coughlin out after 2015. That, to my understanding, was Tisch demanding a change. I think there was also a split opinion on how long to ride with Eli Manning. We know where Mara’s loyalties were. I’m not sure Tisch was on the same page.

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Douglas Mollin asks: The secondary is looking pretty solid right now, on paper at least: Adebo, Banks, Phillips, Nubin, Holland. Do you think this takes Travis Hunter off the board if he’s there at #3? Assuming Ward is gone and Sanders is not their guy, might Graham be three-worthy, to borrow a Seinfeld phrase?

Ed says: Doug, I don’t think what the Giants have done would take Hunter out of consideration in that circumstance. There have been some reports that say the Giants think Hunter will be a better NFL cornerback than wide receiver, so that might give the Giants pause. Maybe it pushes up edge defender Abdul Carter. Right now, I don’t know. For me, Mason Graham is not worth the No. 3 overall pick in a deep defensive tackle class. That doesn’t mean the Giants wouldn’t think differently.

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Mark Cicio asks: Other than a veteran QB (whenever that is settled), do you see any other bigger ticket free agent signing? Any word on if they are still in the market for a high end guard?

I think building quality depth across the trenches so far has been underrated by many, as it has been an issue with us for years. Your thoughts on what they’ve accomplished there so far?

Ed says: Mark, no, I don’t foresee any more “big ticket” free agent signings. As of Friday morning, Over The Cap showed the Giants with $31 million in cap space. That, though, is without the contracts of Jevon Holland, Chris Board, Stone Forsythe, Chauncey Golston, Greg Van Roten, Aaron Stinnie and Ihmir Smith-Marsette. The real number is probably $20 million or less.

I think the Giants wanted a big-ticket guard, but after Will Fries got five years and $88 million from the Minnesota Vikings they realized guard prices are exorbitant. That’s why they brought back Greg Van Roten and Aaron Stinnie.

I like what they have done, vastly upgrading the secondary talent and adding offensive line depth. It all comes down to getting the right quarterback(s).

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Brian Sheitman asks: When NBA teams trade future #1 draft picks they often place a qualifier on the pick such as “top 10 protected”. I don’t hear about this being an option for NFL teams. As a Giants fan I would be much more willing to trade a future #1 pick if I could be sure they wouldn’t miss out on a future star Quarterback that could be available at the top of the next years draft. Are you aware of any NFL rule prohibiting this practice?

Ed says: Brian, “protected picks” do not exist in the NFL. What the NFL does allow are “conditional picks.” In other words, when a trade is made a pick will be a fourth-rounder if certain conditions are met, a fifth-rounder if they are not.

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Submit a question​

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Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...plit-understanding-free-agency-the-draft-more

 

[New York Giants]

2025 NFL Draft prospect profile - Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon

Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images

Is Ferguson a sleeper in the tight end class?

For the second year in a row, we appear to have a deep, talented, and athletic tight end class.

The 2025 NFL Draft might not have a tight end who challenges rookie receiving records, but it looks to be a very strong class. That can make it relatively easy for good players to fly under the radar if they don’t truly stand out.

Oregon’s Terrance Ferguson is a well-rounded, “complete”, tight end who can fill a variety of roles in a modern offense. He’s a capable blocker, a reliable receiver, and a good athlete. However, he isn’t as widely heralded as some of his peers who have had a bigger role in their teams’ passing attacks.

In many ways, Ferguson has a similar game to New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger. The Giants already have Bellinger on their roster, but could they look at Ferguson as a low-cost successor if they choose to move on after 2025?

Prospect: Terrance Ferguson (3)
Games Watched: vs. Washington (2023), vs. UCLA (2024), vs. Oregon State (2024), vs. Ohio State (2024)

Measurables​

Kent Lee Platte | RAS.football

Strengths​

Best traits

• Size
• Athleticism
• Versatility
• Route running
• Blocking discipline

Ferguson is a well-rounded and highly versatile tight end prospect.

Ferguson has a very good blend of size and athleticism for the position at 6-foot-5, 247 pounds, with 4.63 speed. He’s a competent blocker as well as a savvy receiver, which allowed Oregon to play him all over their offensive formation.

The Ducks used Ferguson as an attached and detached tight end, as an H-back, a slot receiver, as a screen blocker in wide alignments, and as a true wide receiver. He executed well from each of those alignments and is useful with and without the ball in his hands.

Ferguson showed improved discipline as a blocker in his senior season, with a good understanding of his role in the scheme and technique. He’s a functional blocker who’s able to sustain against off-ball linebackers and “lose slow” against bigger edge defenders and defensive linemen. He’s also more than athletic enough to block in space on screens or off-tackle runs.

He’s a smart route runner who also understands his role in larger route concepts. Ferguson understands how to weaponize his release and route stem to either find voids in coverage, or to pick up defenders and create traffic. Oregon frequently used him to help scheme separation, and he’s both unselfish and skilled in that regard. Finally, Ferguson has solid ball skills for a player who didn’t see many targets. He does a good job of locating and tracking the ball in the air, making adjustments and solid “hands” catches away from his frame.

Weaknesses​

Worst traits

• Lack of elite traits (size, athleticism, or play strength)
• Occasional over-aggression

There are few real weaknesses in Ferguson’s game as a blocker or as a receiver.

His biggest flaw is an occasional bout of over-aggression as a blocker which can lead to lunging at defenders with poor leverage or outright whiffing.

Beyond that, the biggest criticism of Ferguson is that he isn’t elite in any area of his game. He lacks elite size, play strength, or athleticism. And while he’s at least solid in all of those areas, he won’t be a true match-up nightmare or a dominant blocker. That could lead teams to view him as more of a “number two”, as opposed to a starting tight end in an 11-personnel package.

Game Tape​

(Ferguson is the Oregon tight end wearing number 3)

Projection​

How Ferguson projects as an NFL player will likely depend on the team viewing him. Teams who already have a dynamic tight end would likely view him as more of a “number two” option. On the flip side, teams who lack a great tight end could view Ferguson as an adequate (or even above average) starter.

Ferguson’s greatest strength is his versatility and breadth of skills. He’s well-rounded enough to be the sole tight end on the field in an 11-personnel package, or serve as a counter\point to a dynamic receiver or dominant blocker.

While he may never ascend to Pro Bowl or All-Pro status, Ferguson is more than good enough to see significant playing time and make his team feel good about him being on the field.

Does he fit the Giants?
Yes

Final Word: A Day 2 value

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...e-terrance-ferguson-te-oregon-scouting-report

 

[New York Giants]

It’s time for the Giants to sign Russell Wilson and be done with the Aaron Rodgers nonsense

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Giants are just fooling themselves as they wait on Aaron Rodgers

Perhaps the time has come for the New York Giants to stop fooling themselves in their desperate pursuit of Aaron Rodgers, get Russell Wilson’s name on a contract and be done with their seemingly flailing effort to sign a veteran quarterback.

If, that is, the Giants haven’t already blown that opportunity be letting Wilson leave their building on Friday without signing a contract.

It’s time for GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll to be realistic.

Matthew Stafford was never coming to the Giants. In their desperation to find a big-name quarterback who could help them keep their jobs, Schoen and Daboll allowed the Giants to be used by Stafford in an effort to get the deal Stafford ultimately wanted — and got — from the Los Angeles Rams.

Now, the Giants are waiting ... and waiting ... and waiting some for the attention-loving Rodgers to make a decision.

Why would Rodgers choose the Giants, 3-14 last year and 9-25 the last two seasons, anyway?

The most recent reporting from The Athletic is that Rodgers wants the Minnesota Vikings — if they want him.

If the Vikings ultimately decide they don’t want to keep delaying the J.J. McCarthy era, The Athletic is reporting that Rodgers might say ‘no thanks’ to both the Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers and retire.

I’m not sure I believe that. Why, though, would Rodgers turn down the Steelers, a playoff team more often than not that is coached by Mike Tomlin, for the Giants? Unless the Giants throw ridiculous money at Rodgers — which they should not do — I can’t give you a good reason Rodgers would choose the Giants.

Wilson is not, and never has been, quite the player that Rodgers is still capable of being. He is still far superior to anyone the Giants had at quarterback last season. He seems to want the New York/New Jersey market.

Wilson is said to be “ready to sign,” but how long will he be willing to play second fiddle while the Giants and Steelers wait on Rodgers?

Wilson gives the Giants what they need — better quarterback play that they have had the past couple of years and someone who seems willing/able to help mentor a young quarterback for the future.

The Giants just need to stop the Rodgers foolishness and get Wilson’s name on a contract.

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...n-and-be-done-with-the-aaron-rodgers-nonsense

 

[New York Giants]

Your daily Giants trivia game, Sunday edition

Think you can figure out which Giants player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

We’re back for another day of the Big Blue View in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in the Google Form.

Today’s Big Blue View in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Saturday, March 15, 2025
Friday, March 14, 2025
Thursday, March 13, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Big Blue View in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the correct Giants player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/16/24386957/sb-nation-giants-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[New York Giants]

Ed’s 7-round New York Giants mock draft: Taking the Shedeur Sanders off ramp

Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images

To find their quarterback, this is the road the Giants might need to take

As a write this latest edition of my weekly seven-round New York Giants mock draft, Aaron Rodgers is still somewhere leaving the Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and maybe the Minnesota Vikings twisting in the wind. Russell Wilson and Joe Flacco have come and gone from East Rutherford without signing contracts to quarterback the Giants in 2025.

The Giants still need a quarterback. In reality, they need multiple quarterbacks. They need a veteran who can help them win games in 2025, and a rookie who can help GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll convince ownership that the team’s future is in good hands.

With that backdrop, let’s get to this week’s mock draft. I am using the Pro Football Network mock draft simulator.

Round 1 (No. 3) — Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado​

The Tennessee Titans took Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 pick in this draft, and the Cleveland Browns passed on a quarterback for LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell at No. 2.

That leaves the Giants in a realistic scenario — do they take Sanders and be done with the “gotta get a quarterback of the future” debate? Do they take edge defender Abdul Carter or cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter and hope to find a way to get Jaxson Dart or Tyler Shough, QB3 and QB4 in this class, at No. 34 or via trade up?

I have well-documented misgivings about Sanders. I have written and talked about them. I decided, though, not to get cute here. Schoen and Daboll must have a young QB in place this year that ownership believes can carry the franchise forward. In my view, if they don’t someone else will probably be in the GM and head coach chairs in 2026.

Sanders isn’t perfect. I think we know, though, that the bright lights of the New York-New Jersey market won’t bother him.

Besides, even though the New York Jets signed Justin Fields I have doubts that they would let Sanders slide past No. 7, where they pick in Round 1. After passing on J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix and Bo Nix a year ago, passing on Sanders and having him succeed with the Jets is another way for Schoen and Daboll to find themselves on the unemployment line.

Taking Sanders is a risk. In a normal year, he would not go this high in the draft. The Giants, though, might have to take the chance.

@LRiddickESPN

Is Shedeur Sanders a franchise quarterback in this #NFLDraft?#NFL #GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/Tn7TlfRPGO

— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) March 14, 2025​

Round 2 (No. 34) — Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss​

I hate to pigeon-hole myself into drafting a specific position at a specific point in the draft. I was hoping, though, to find help in the trenches — on either side of the ball — on Day 2.

Nolen seems unlikely to fall out of Round 1. He does here, and I take advantage.

PFN says:

Walter Nolen is an athletic 3-technique defensive tackle, which is a valuable asset in today’s NFL. Combine that with his leap in production in 2024 and his top-notch pedigree, and it’s not hard to see why many are high on him entering the NFL. Although only 21 years old, Nolen has shown improvement as a technician over the years, which has helped him make better use of his freakish combination of speed and power. He still has some more development to do, but he has shown that he’s coachable, and that’s an important trait for future success. With an NFL-ready frame and in-game athleticism that’s well above average for his position, Nolen figures to be an early-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. If he can continue to develop his plan as a pass rusher and work on his pad leverage a little bit, Nolen possesses a high ceiling at the next level. Gifted young prospects with production at a Power Four level don’t often fall out of the first round.

Other players considered: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State; Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State; Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State; Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan; Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

Round 3 (No. 65) — Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona​

Trenches, remember? The Giants did not find the big fish at guard they were looking for in free agency. I will put Savaiinaea into that mix and see what happens.

PFN says:

Jonah Savaiinaea projects best as an offensive guard at the NFL level, where his average range as a blocker due to a lack of top-notch length and agility can be better masked. Because of his abilities in pass protection, his ceiling is arguably higher inside, as well. A sturdy, well-built offensive lineman with a powerful anchor, Savaiinaea does a good job of keeping his pads low and his weight underneath him. Though he’s primarily experienced as a zone-run blocker, he has enough gap experience to project into that kind of system, too. He also has a strong upper body and keeps a wide base as a blocker. Savaiinaea’s inside-outside versatility should help him, as he could realistically step in as a starter right away at whichever position his NFL team needs him at the most. He’s a plug-and-play starter who could be a good tackle or a great guard, and it’s just a matter of which of the two you would prioritize from there.

Other players considered: Marcus Mbow, OT, Purdue; Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State

Round 3 (No. 99) — Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech​

This is the compensatory pick for the loss of Xavier McKinney in free agency. I use it to keep adding players to the young, revamped secondary. You can never have enough good coverage cornerbacks.

PFN says:

Dorian Strong is a skilled and instinctive cornerback who excels in man coverage but is also more than competent in zone coverage schemes. He possesses fluid hips, quick feet, and strong closing speed, allowing him to stick with receivers and disrupt passing lanes. Strong’s ball skills stand out, as he consistently tracks the ball and makes plays on it in contested situations. He plays with physicality at the line of scrimmage, using his length effectively to disrupt routes. Strong’s football IQ and anticipation enable him to read quarterbacks and jump routes but can also make him vulnerable if he mistimes the play or double moves. Additionally, adding strength will allow him to handle bigger receivers and further enhance his game as a lockdown defender.

Round 4 (No. 105) — Anthony Belton, OT, North Carolina State​

Jermaine Eluemunor can be a free agent at season’s end. Free agent signees James Hudson III and Stone Forsythe are depth pieces and probably not long-term starters. Maybe Belton can take Eluemunor’s spot in 2026. I have said many times that the Giants need to get young, developmental players into the pipeline. I do that here.

PFN says:

Anthony Belton is a physically imposing offensive tackle with the strength and length to control defenders at the line of scrimmage. He excels in pass protection, using his size and footwork to keep edge rushers at bay while maintaining balance against power moves. In the run game, he generates solid push and plays with an aggressive mentality, helping open lanes for ball carriers. His awareness and ability to adjust to stunts make him a dependable presence on the line. However, he can improve his pad level and hand placement to maximize his power and consistency. With refinement, he has a significant upside.

Round 5 (No. 154) — Kaden Prather, WR, Maryland​

Maybe Prather can push Jalin Hyatt for snaps as WR4. Besides, as a Maryland grad, how could I pass on the kid?

PFN says:

Kaden Prather, a Third-Team All-Big Ten Maryland Terrapins wide receiver, earned an invite to the 2025 Shrine Bowl as an under-the-radar prospect poised for greater national attention. Standing 6’3” and 210 pounds, Prather combines size with agility, excelling in spatial awareness and physicality to make contested catches. His ability to glide through space and adjust in the air could position him as an early Day 3 NFL draft contender.

Round 7 (No. 219) — Tyler Batty, edge, BYU​

Let me acknowledge that this deep in the draft my knowledge of the players is somewhere from scant to non-existent.

PFN says:

Tyler Batty, a fifth-year senior from BYU, is a highly instinctual and physically robust pass rusher known for his intense awareness and anticipation. As an exceptional run defender with a long frame and powerful playing style, Batty offers NFL teams a reliable and high-floor prospect. His mauling mentality and strong foundation will enable him to contribute immediately at the professional level while further developing his pass-rushing skills.

Round 7 (No. 246) — Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia​

A running back to throw into the mix for a backup role.

PFN says:

Trevor Etienne is a dynamic and explosive running back with a strong combination of vision and burst. He runs with excellent balance and low pad level, but being slightly undersized means he sometimes struggles to break tackles and fight through contact. Etienne’s acceleration and agility make him dangerous in space, while his sharp cutting ability helps him evade defenders with ease. He possesses good hands as a receiving threat out of the backfield, adding versatility to his game. In order to elevate his impact at the NFL level, he will need to both add some bulk and work on his technique in pass protection.

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...ock-draft-taking-the-shedeur-sanders-off-ramp

 

[New York Giants]

Turning the tide: how investments have changed the New York Giants’ defense

Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images

Giants have fortified the secondary, added depth in the trenches

Valuable lessons must be extracted from the debacle of a season that the 2024 New York Giants endured. New York finished with three wins, half the win total from the previous disastrous 2023 season. Murphy’s Law plagued and persisted through the 2024 season; still, the magnanimous John Mara abstained from change, resulting in the retention of general manager Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll, albeit on metal seats left in the sun.

The roster was devoid of depth at critical positions, with no signal caller other than exclusive rights free agent Tommy DeVito. Several top-100 Schoen draft picks have not scratched their perceived potential, and only Dexter Lawrence, Andrew Thomas, and Brian Burns had non-rookie contracts past the 2026 season. Proven, competent talent proved difficult to develop and even retain, furthering animosity toward the regime.

One surefire way to bolster the roster was to fix the defense. The quarterback situation is obviously the most important pillar to reinforce, but Shane Bowen’s 2024 defensive unit required fortification.

The Giants spent two top-70 picks on their secondary in 2024, and they traded up in the first round of the 2023 draft to select Tae Banks, yet the 2024 passing defense had sieve-like moments; this, after allowing former team captain Xavier McKinney to walk in free agency, did not reflect well on the Giants’ decision making.

The Giants recorded just five interceptions in 2024, four of which were from the secondary. The team went nine weeks without recording an interception. Only the Cleveland Browns finished with less interceptions than the Giants. New York also ranked 30th in QB rating against (103.2) and completion percentage against (69.4%).

Bowen’s coverage EPA (Expected Points Added) also ranked 27th and New York had the sixth lowest Pro Football Focus coverage grade. After Dexter Lawrence’s injury, the lack of depth on the defensive line forced Bowen to change his defensive structure and strategy to focus on plugging the run with bodies.

This, coupled with the offense’s inability to sustain drives and score points, resulted in ostensibly respectable defensive totals but was more a product of teams bleeding the clock against an ineffective opponent (other than Week 17).

Nevertheless, Schoen and company identified and addressed an issue in free agency with their cap flexibility.

The secondary​

Schoen wasted little time signing one of the younger, more promising cornerbacks on the market, Paulson Adebo. The 25-year-old signed a three-year, $54-million contract, including a $15-million signing bonus and $38.5-million guaranteed. Adebo is now the 14th-highest-paid cornerback in the league.

Adebo has good eyes and the necessary man-coverage skills to be an above-average starter in the NFL. But he finds his way to the football, which is his hallmark. Adebo has 10 career interceptions and 29 passes defended in four seasons (1,922 coverage snaps / 294 targets). He sports a 62.6% completion rate and hasn’t allowed more than a 60% rate in the last two seasons.

Presuming Banks was the cornerback one in 2024, the Giants’ cornerback two was a mixture of Adoree’ Jackson and Cor’Dale Flott; the former is now a Philadelphia Eagle, and the latter is entering the final year of his rookie contract.

Adebo will likely be the Giants’ number-one cornerback, giving a reprieve to Banks and lessening the responsibility of the volatile third-year player. Banks took a step back in 2024. Flott, however, did take a slight step forward in his development, and he’ll provide insurance behind Adebo and Banks, with Dru Phillips presumably focusing on the nickel role.

The impact of the Adebo addition was amplified early on the second day of free agency when former Miami Dolphin Jevon Holland agreed to a three-year, $45.3-million contract. Kayvon Thibodeaux put on his recruiting cap and helped convince the former Oregon Duck to take his talents to East Rutherford.

Holland, who many believed was the top safety on the market, replaces Jason Pinnock next to Tyler Nubin, giving the Giants a secondary nickel package of Holland, Nubin, Adebo, Banks, and Phillips — all 25 years old or younger. Flott is also just 23-years-old.

As usual with many recent draft selections by the organization, the development of a player—like Banks—did not go as planned. Banks, entering his third season, regressed on the field and his level of maturity was called into question. Suffice it to say that the Giants could not rely on Banks to assume a leadership role.

New York’s defensive structure and organization felt the sting of McKinney’s departure. Bowen runs plenty of two-read concepts predicated on the safeties responding to the release of the No. 2 receiver that will dictate the coverage. It’s pattern matching. McKinney would have thrived in that environment.

However, the Giants put their safety chips in the basket of Nubin, a rookie who missed most of training camp, and Jason Pinnock. Bowen had two-star safeties in Tennessee: Kevin Byard and Amani Hooker. Securing Brian Burns was a vital move to get Bowen the necessary pieces to run his system, but the back end was talent-deficient and too young to overcome adversity.

New York struggled to fit the run from the two-high shells that Bowen often employed. The even front used in the first half of the season was adequate when Lawrence was on the field, but offensive coordinators would run directly into the A and B-Gaps whenever Lawrence was spelled.

Essentially, the defensive structure was predicated on Lawrence playing, for his backups were often liabilities and placed WAY TOO MUCH on the plate of the linebackers and the alley-defending safeties. The integrity of the defense was rarely held intact if Lawrence was on the sidelines. After his injury, Bowen changed his defensive structure to aggressively focus on stopping the run (post Dallas 2.0).

Now, New York improves in the alley with Holland and can be trusted to defend one-on-one on the outside, with Adebo assuming the No. 1 duties. Holland's veteran nature should also lead to a more comprehensive approach from a responsibility stand point. Holland has operated in three separate systems over four years.

Holland can execute any role assigned to him, but buzzing him down or dropping him into single-high when Bowen employs Cover-3 or Man Cover-1 also fits his skill set; he executed that role well early in his career with Josh Boyer. Much like Adebo, Holland gets his hands on the football. He has recorded 16 passes defended and six interceptions in his career.

What was a massive issue in the secondary last season was seemingly rectified in early in free agency with these two signings. It will allow Bowen to be more flexible and aligned with his philosophy. Still, I want to see more additions to the secondary, specifically a third safety and cornerback depth.

Beef up the front​

Parting ways with Azeez Ojualri is unfortunate. I was always a big fan of Ojulari, but his health issues plagued him throughout his time in New York. Ojulari had 42 pressures and set the Giants’ rookie sack record in 2021 but failed to play more than 500 snaps over the next three seasons.

New York opted to get stronger in the trenches to replace Ojualri; they signed former Dallas Cowboy Chauncey Golston to a reasonable three-year, $19.5-million contract ($6.5-million AAV). Golston is larger, longer, and more physical than Ojulari:

Most notable is Golston’s size and the trajectory of his production. The 27-year-old is a shade under 6-foot-5, 270 pounds. Golston is a taller, much better version of what the Giants wanted Boogie Basham to be. Golston is quick enough to play edge and be a commanding presence in the run game from five-technique outside and big enough to kick inside during passing situations.

Golston had 37 pressures and 5.5 sacks in 2024 with the Cowboys. He offers effort and energy while toughening the trenches and offering a larger — more physical — body type that is more resistant to bullying. Golston as the third edge behind Thibodeaux and Brian Burns forms a solid and diverse trio of pass rushers.

The Giants also added Roy Robertson-Harris and Jeremiah Ledbetter for depth on the defensive line. Robertson-Harris (6-5, 290-pounds) is an older, slight upgrade over D.J. Davidson and Jordon Riley. He signed to a two-year, $9-million contract. He is one season removed from three consecutive 30-plus pressure seasons, but he’s 31 years old. He recorded 16 pressures for two teams (Jaguars and Seahawks). Andre Patterson also coached him at UTEP.

Robertson-Harris could compete with Rakeem Nunez-Roches for the third, perhaps even the fourth, defensive line spot, but the Giants should not be done adding big physical bodies to their trenches. They cannot enter the season as a complete liability if something befalls Dexter Lawrence. Ledbetter (6-3, 300 pounds) is a depth option who will compete for a roster spot in the summer.

Special teams and linebackers​

New York invested in their special teams and linebacker rooms with Chris Board and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles signings. Both players have defense experience and are slightly more than just special teams assets. Board, 29, has played more than 1,000 snaps on defense and is a good athlete with coverage ability. However, he’s played less than 500 defensive snaps over the last three seasons. He spent 2024 with the Ravens and the previous two seasons with the Patriots and Lions; the first four years of his career were also spent in Baltimore.

Flannigan-Fowles is 28 years old and has played 628 defensive snaps over five seasons with the 49ers. He missed 33% of his tackles in 2024 but is more of a fixture on special teams despite starting three games for the 49ers last season.

I appreciate the additions for Michael Ghobrial, and Flannigan-Fowles will have to earn his roster spot against Darius Muasau and Dyontae Johnson, who was also retained this off-season. Board signed a two-year $5.7-million with $3.5-million guaranteed, with incentives so he likely has more of a path to the roster. Either way, more competition at linebacker is welcomed.

Final thoughts​

The Giants still need to strengthen the spine of their defense, specifically next to Dexter Lawrence, but the addition of Golston is a solid start to gaining toughness in the trenches. The 2025 NFL Draft is deep at defensive line, and the Giants currently possess four selections in the top 100 and five in the top 105.

New York should not stop investing in its defensive trenches. When they are stronger up front, Bowen will maximize the two main additions that Schoen signed to the roster: Holland and Adebo. Suppose the Giants can fortify their run defense and ability to rush the passer with four. In that case, New York can more confidently drop seven into coverage with a quarters/palms approach to defending the pass, meaning fewer players in the box to defend the run immediately.

Holland and Adebo are both massive upgrades over the Giants’ 2024 personnel. They both understand how to create turnovers; couple them with Nubin’s college experience intercepting passes, and maybe the Giants can record more than five interceptions next season. I would argue each position in the secondary needs more depth and competition, but Holland is much better than Pinnock, and Adebo is, unfortunately, better than Banks (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it).

For this all to be actualized close to its potential, the Giants offense must find a competent signal caller who can keep the offense on script and the defense off the field. That’s a tall task at this point in free agency; Schoen should swing away at quarterback in hopes of finding someone who can make the Giants competitive again. Their defense is primed to compete, albeit still not quite there, but they must figure out their quarterback situation.

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...ents-have-changed-the-new-york-giants-defense

 

[New York Giants]

New York Giants free agency grades: Mixed reaction to what Giants have, have not done

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

How have the New York Giants done thus far in free agency? Writers around the country have a mixed reaction to that question. Let’s look at free agency grades for the Giants after a week of action.

Pro Football Network​

Grade: B+

The New York Giants have actively addressed the defensive side of the ball in free agency so far. The unit struggled in 2024, and they needed to get better across the board. Paulson Adebo and Jevon Holland give them young high-upside defensive backs who should start in 2025. Roy Robertson-Harris should be a decent rotational piece for a run defense that was porous last season.

Bringing back Darius Slayton was somewhat unexpected — not because the Giants shouldn’t want him but because he could’ve easily wanted out of a rough offensive situation. The future at quarterback is uncertain, but Slayton decided to return. The Giants also got him back on a good deal. New York still has a lot of work to do, but they’re off to a decent start.

Sporting News​

Grade: B-

They have the same refrain as the Steelers — what will they be doing at quarterback to bring this team together? Holland and Golston were great defensive additions, and Slayton was a reasonable re-sign to keep with Malik Nabers.

USA Today​

Grade: B-

The Giants spent most of their early free agent resources on their secondary. They signed cornerback Paulson Adebo and safety Jevon Holland to three-year deals worth a combined $99.3 million. Adebo and Holland are both just 25 years old, so New York in banking on the duo continuing to grow into a dynamic, playmaking tandem.

Some will question why the Giants were willing to pay Holland $15 million in AAV but not Xavier McKinney $16.75 million in 2024. Nonetheless, the Giants’ secondary is improved, and so is their trench depth after agreeing to deals with Chauncey Golston and Roy Robertson-Harris on the defensive line and backup offensive tackles in James Hudson and Stone Forsythe.

Yahoo! Sports​

Grade: D

The secondary got some help, but it’s a reminder that they let 2024 All-Pro Xavier McKinney walk. And there’s still the quarterback problem.

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...ed-reaction-to-what-giants-have-have-not-done

 

[New York Giants]

2025 NFL Draft prospect profile: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State

Photo by Keith Gillett/IconSportswire

Porter is just scratching the surface of his upside

The New York Giants have invested heavily in their secondary over the last couple years. They have multiple high-round draft picks as well as high-dollar free agents at the cornerback and safety positions.

They are young, athletic, and talented all over the back end of their defense, so it should follow that they’re set there — at least for now.

However, we’ve also seen a high rate of attrition in the secondary and it pays to be deep. So could the Giants also look to add a corner who is already playing well yet also has vast untapped upside thanks to rare traits?

Iowa State’s Darien Porter only has three seasons at cornerback after starting his collegiate career as a wide receiver. However, he’s tall, long, rangy, fluid, and one of the best athletes at any position in the entire class.

Could the Giants select Porter as an investment for the future?

Prospect: Darien Porter (10)?
Games Watched: vs. Iowa (2024), vs. West Virginia (2024), vs. Central Florida (2024), vs. Arizona State (2024)

Measurables​

Kent Lee Platte | RAS.football

Strengths​

Best traits

• Athleticism
• Length
• Ball skills
• Versatility

Darien Porter is a tall, long, and exceptionally athletic cornerback prospect.

Porter combines rare length for the position at 6-foot-3 with 33-inch arms and exceptional athletic traits. Not only is Porter fast and explosive, but he also has excellent movement skills. He has remarkably quick feet as well as fluid hips which combine to give him simply rare traits for the position and Porter will enter the NFL with the fourth-highest recorded RAS among cornerbacks.

He is a converted wide receiver and as such he already has a firm understanding of offensive and route concepts. Porter does a good job of avoiding schemed traffic and his athletic traits allow him to recover and erase schemed separation. His traits also allow him to play both man and zone schemes well. Porter’s speed and hip fluidity allow him to stick in tight coverage with receivers through their breaks or sprinting down the field. His experience as a receiver, processing, and explosive closing burst, meanwhile, make him an effective zone defender.

Porter’s background as a wide receiver also gives him excellent ball skills. He understands how to read a receivers’ body language as well as a quarterback’s eyes and he is excellent at high-pointing the ball.

Weaknesses​

Worst traits

• Experience
• Play strength
• Mass

Porter has two primary weaknesses in his game, one of which could be viewed as a long-term strength.

Porter is a wide receiver turned cornerback, and only changed positions prior to the 2022 season. As such, he’s still very new to the position and defensive side of the ball and needs development in multiple aspects of his game. He still needs to work on his technique, particularly when it comes to run defense. He doesn’t consistently use his hands when taking on blockers and instead uses a shoulder check, which leads to blockers controlling him and him. Likewise, his tackling is a definite work in progress as well. He needs to continue to work on his angles and form so he can consistently get ball carriers on the ground.

That said, his inexperience at the position, and on defense in general, suggests upside that can be tapped into with coaching.

There might not be much that Porter can do about his frame. He has rare length for the position, and even rarer movement skills for his length. However, he has a slender frame and his play strength is visibly lacking when tackling, taking on blockers, and at the catch point.

His frame might not allow additional muscle mass to be added without compromising the athleticism that is the strength of his game.

Game Tape​

(Porter is the Iowa State DB wearing number 10 with white sleeves on both arms)

Projection​

Darien Porter projects as a starting cornerback at the NFL level, with Pro Bowl potential if he reaches his upside.

Porter might have a rocky start to his career considering his inexperience at the position. And it might behoove a defense to try and put him in a position where he’s working his way onto the field rather than starting immediately. That said, he has elite traits and could excel if he lands in the right situation.

Teams might have to accept the fact that Porter may only ever be an “okay” run defender. However, his upside as a cover corner and his potential ball skills as a converted receiver could quickly make up for that limitation.

Does he fit the Giants?
Yes.

Final Word: An early second round value.

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...e-darien-porter-cb-iowa-state-scouting-report

 

[New York Giants]

Giants news, 3/17: It’s still all about the quarterback

New York Giants headlines for Monday

Good morning, New York Giants fans!

From Big Blue View​

• Turning the tide: how investments have changed the New York Giants’ defense
• Ed’s 7-round New York Giants mock draft: Taking the Shedeur Sanders off ramp
• It’s time for the Giants to sign Russell Wilson and be done with the Aaron Rodgers nonsense
• Big Blue View mailbag: Giants ownership split, understanding free agency, the draft, more

More headlines​

Aaron Rodgers to Vikings is “50-50”

Just listen to the first segment with Mike Silver of The Athletic.

2025 NFL draft takeaways from free agency signings, trades - ESPN
What has NFL free agency told us about how April's draft might play out? Our draft experts break down what the signings mean for Round 1.

Did the Titans show their draft hand with free agency moves? - ESPN
With the addition of backup quarterback Brandon Allen, all signs seem to point to Tennessee taking a quarterback in the draft.

Giants better hope Shedeur Sanders is Day 1 starter if they whiff on Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson - nj.com
The Giants might be screwed if Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson sign elsewhere.

“It’s going to haunt them” - Bill Simmons warns Giants on passing opportunity to draft Shedeur Sanders
The New York Giants are staring at a franchise-altering decision. Quarterback remains their biggest question mark, and New York could be eyeing a reset.

Russell Wilson teases Steelers return with pair of IG stories
Russell Wilson may have teased his return to Pittsburgh with a pair of the Steelers-related IG stories.

The Aaron Rodgers wait continues - NBC Sports
Where will the four-time MVP land?

Giants need to make right call on free-agent QB - Newsday
Who fits best for the Giants among Joe Flacco, Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers?

Why Giants Need to Exit Gracefully from the Aaron Rodgers Waiting Game
The Giants have a dwindling number of other options at quarterback besides Aaron Rodgers which they risk losing if they continue to operate on Rodgers' timeline.

BBV mailbag​

Have a Giants-related question? E-mail it to bigblueview@gmail.com and it might be featured in our weekly mailbag.

BBV YouTube​

You can find and subscribe to Big Blue View YouTube from the show’s home page

BBV on X: Follow @BigBlueView | Ed Valentine: @Valentine_Ed | Threads: @ed.valentine | Bluesky: @edvalentine
BBV on Facebook: Click here to like the Big Blue View Facebook page
BBV on YouTube: Subscribe to the Big Blue View YouTube channel
BBV on Instagram: Click here to follow our Instagram page

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...news-3-17-its-still-all-about-the-quarterback

 

[New York Giants]

Can you guess this former Seminole in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Giants player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

We’re back for another day of the Big Blue View in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in the Google Form.

Today’s Big Blue View in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Sunday, March 16, 2025
Saturday, March 15, 2025
Friday, March 14, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Big Blue View in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the correct Giants player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/17/24387647/sb-nation-giants-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[New York Giants]

Three remaining free agents who could help the New York Giants

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

The New York Giants had a busy start to the new league year. General manager Joe Schoen spent money on Shane Bowen’s defense and retained a few key contributors on offense from previous seasons. Yet, with the draft just over a month and a half away, New York still has holes to fill beyond just adding depth.

NFL Network’s Gregg Rosenthal updated his top 101 free agents of 2025 to reflect the available players. His top-ranked player available is wide receiver Amari Cooper, who he ranked 11th overall heading into free agency. Twenty-five players are still available on the list of 101 total. Here are three (or more) who the Giants should pursue.

1) A quarterback...or two​

The Giants have to figure out their quarterback situation. Tommy DeVito is the lone signal caller on the roster. Everyone from Schoen to the janitor at 1925 Giants Drive understands the importance of the quarterback situation, especially after the disastrous 2024 season.

There are three available quarterbacks on Rosenthal’s list: Aaron Rodgers, Jameis Winston, and Russell Wilson. All three should be on the Giants’ radar. Rodgers is presumably waiting and hoping for the Minnesota Vikings to sign him, which would complete the 360 Favre Arch. Pittsburgh is also vying for Rodgers’ skill set.

New York is stuck twiddling its thumbs until Rodgers' situation unfolds, for the future Hall of Famer still offers Schoen the best chance to compete realistically in 2025. Rodgers may also be attempting to pit the Giants and Steelers against each other for more guaranteed money in 2026, as Big Blue Interactive suggests.

Regardless, the Giants must cross their t’s and dot their i’s to ensure their quarterback room is not barren heading into the draft. Jameis Winston’s volatility doesn’t seem to mesh with Brian Daboll’s style, but I would advocate for the veteran based on his peaks, although his valleys are low.

Wilson is another option the Giants should consider, albeit with some hesitation. If New York misses on Rodgers — and possibly even if they sign Rodgers — they should double dip in the free agent market if possible. Wilson plus Winston; Winston plus someone not on Rosenthal’s list, like Joe Flacco or Carson Wentz.

New York will likely add a quarterback with one of their first two picks in the upcoming NFL Draft. The room must be stable and have an environment that can maximize the rookie’s potential while being competent enough to operate independently of the rookie successfully. A combination of these three quarterbacks and players like Joe Flacco, who did visit the Giants, give New York a puncher’s chance at developing that atmosphere.

2) Brandon Scherff, OG​

The former Washington and Jacksonville interior offensive lineman was a star tackle at Iowa who would immediately upgrade the Giants’ right guard position. Almost every snap of his professional career — dating back to 2015 when Washington selected him fifth overall — has been at right guard. He’s played more than 1,000 snaps in three consecutive seasons and has allowed less than 20 pressures in each of the last two seasons.

Scherff is one of the better—more stable—guards in the NFL. The 33-year-old was First-Team All-Pro in 2020 and is a five-time Pro Bowler. Spotrac.com has his market value set at $6.7 million average annual value, which seems incredibly low. I have to imagine he’ll earn more than what the Giants essentially gave to James Hudson III. Still, he would immediately improve the offensive line and give the Giants a reliable starting five with quality depth.

3) Teven Jenkins, OG​

Ladies and gentlemen, we’re doubling up on guards here. Jenkins is 27 years old and has played significant snaps at both left and right guard, although more recently on the left side. After a sub-optimal start to his career, Jenkins has been steady-Eddie for three consecutive seasons, surrendering just 46 pressures and nine sacks in over 1,000 pass-blocking snaps for the Chicago Bears. Jenkins’ trajectory is headed upward, and his ceiling remains untouched, making him desirable for 2025 and beyond.

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...ree-agents-who-could-help-the-new-york-giants

 

[New York Giants]

NFC East free agency recap: What have the Eagles, Commanders and Cowboys done?

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

While we have been focused on the Giants, what has happened in the rest of the NFC East?

The NFC East has once again been one of the most active divisions in the league during the 2025 offseason. Teams across the division have made moves, from blockbuster trades to significant departures, all of which will impact the upcoming season.

Philadelphia Eagles​

Notable Signings: QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (trade), G Kenyon Green (trade), RB A.J. Dillon

Notable Departures: Edge Josh Sweat, DT Milton Williams, CB Darius Slay Jr., CB Isaiah Rodgers, RB Kenneth Gainwell, QB Kenny Pickett (trade), S C.J. Gardner-Johnson (trade)

The Eagles, coming off their second Super Bowl in franchise history, have been busy reloading their roster. They made a notable addition in signing EDGE Josh Uche to a one-year, $1.92 million deal. Uche is expected to bring versatility to the pass rush after the loss of Josh Sweat to the Arizona Cardinals. The Eagles also secured linebacker Zack Baun on a three-year, $51 million contract, rewarding him for his strong performance last season. However, the team took a significant hit in their secondary with the departure of two key players: Darius Slay, a longtime defensive leader, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, whose playmaking abilities have now helped the Eagles to two deep playoff runs. To strengthen the offensive line, the Eagles acquired Kenyon Green from the Houston Texans in hopes of developing him into a starter, even though he struggled in Houston.

Dallas Cowboys​

Notable Signings: RB Javonte Williams, DT Solomon Thomas, DE Payton Turner, DT Osa Odighizuwa (re-sign), CB Kaiir Elam (trade), LB Kenneth Murray (trade)

Notable Departures: CB Jourdan Lewis, DE DeMarcus Lawrence, OT Chuma Edoga, RB Rico Dowdle

The Cowboys have taken a more measured approach in free agency, making key moves to improve their roster. Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa re-signed on a four-year, $80 million deal, while veteran Solomon Thomas joined on a two-year, $8 million contract. In the secondary, safety Markquese Bell was kept with a three-year, $9 million deal, and cornerback Kaiir Elam was acquired from the Buffalo Bills. On offense, returner KaVontae Turpin was re-signed to a three-year, $18 million deal, and the Cowboys strengthened their backfield by adding Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. To improve the pass rush, Dante Fowler Jr. and Payton Turner were signed on one-year deals. Additionally, Robert Jones was brought in to help on the offensive line.

Washington Commanders​

Notable Signings: WR Deebo Samuel Sr. (trade), LT Laremy Tunsil (trade), DT Javon Kinlaw, CB Jonathan Jones, S Will Harris, LB Bobby Wagner (re-sign), TE Zach Ertz (re-sign), DE Deatrich Wise Jr.

Notable Departures: DT Jonathan Allen, WR Dyami Brown, S Jeremy Chinn, OT Cornelius Lucas, CB Benjamin St-Juste

The Commanders were the most active team in the division, making one of the biggest moves of the offseason by acquiring left tackle Laremy Tunsil in a trade with the Houston Texans. Tunsil is considered one of the best pass protectors in the NFL and will significantly upgrade a Commanders offensive line that struggled last season. Washington also made moves at quarterback, signing Marcus Mariota to a short-term deal to provide stability behind Jayden Daniels. Defensively, the Commanders added cornerback Jonathan Jones and edge defender Deatrich Wise Jr. to further strengthen their unit.

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...t-have-the-eagles-commanders-and-cowboys-done

 

[New York Giants]

Giants free agency news: QB Jameis Winston to meet with the Giants

Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images

The Giants’ QB search continues

The New York Giants are hosting free agent quarterback Jameis Winston on Tuesday, per reports.

Interestingly, the initial report from Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network stated that the visit with Winston is scheduled for Tuesday. Ian Rapoport, in confirming and reposting the report, states that the meeting is scheduled for today (Monday).

While the Giants wait for Aaron Rodgers, they visited with Russell Wilson on Friday and now host Jameis Winston today. @tompelissero.bsky.social

— Ian Rapoport (@rapsheet1.bsky.social) 2025-03-17T14:19:39.218Z

We’ll, of course, find out soon enough what day it is.

The Giants, like every other team still in the market for a quarterback, are in a holding pattern while the Minnesota Vikings decide whether or not to court Aaron Rodgers, and Rodgers weighs his various options.

Russell Wilson is likely the next-best option for the Giants, though they have competition from the Pittsburgh Steelers in that regard.

Winston is significantly younger than either Wilson or Rodgers, just turning 31 in January of this year. He’s a volatile passer who’s disregard for risk for a potential reward, but his arm strength and mobility could mesh with a more aggressive version of the Giants’ offense. He’s also said that he has “a ton of respect for coach Brian Daboll, the things he does offensively.”

Winston has also said that he would “absolutely” sign with the Giants and that he believes that the Giants’ young roster is ready to win now. We’ll see if he gets the chance to back up his beliefs.

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...ews-qb-jameis-winston-to-meet-with-the-giants

 

[New York Giants]

Veteran WR Zach Pascal visits Giants

Zach Pascal | Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

Pascal looks like a special teams-first player at this point in his career

The New York Giants are continuing to explore the free agent market to add depth options. In addition to Monday’s news that quarterback Jameis Winston will visit the team, veteran wide receiver Zach Pascal reportedly visited the Giants on Monday.

Pascal, 30, is a seven-year veteran who spent four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, one with the Philadelphia Eagles and the last two years with the Arizona Cardinals. Giants wide receivers coach Mike Groh was was Pascal in Indianapolis in 2020 and 2021 when he caught a combined 82 passes.

Pascal, 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, played only 68 offensive snaps for the Cardinals in 2024. He was never targeted. He did play a career-high 278 special teams snaps, the third consecutive season in which he played more than 200 special teams snaps.

Should he sign what would likely be a veteran minimum contract, Pascal would likely be in competition with Bryce Ford-Wheaton and others for a spot at the bottom of the receiver depth chart.

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...nts-free-agency-veteran-wr-zach-pascal-visits

 

[New York Giants]

NFL free agency: Eagles sign former New York Giant Azeez Ojulari

Tom Horak-Imagn Images

The Giants lose another player to Philly

Former New York Giants edge defender Azeez Ojulari is signing with the Philadelphia Bulldogs, err... The Philadelphia Eagles.

We've agreed to terms with OLB Azeez Ojulari on a one-year deal.@Toyota | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/xq3ZpEGjdY

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 17, 2025​

Ojulari will join a whole gaggle of former Georgia Bulldogs on the Eagles' defense on a one-year, $4 million contract.

The Giants drafted Ojulari out of Georgia in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft. Ojulari was considered a potential top 10 pick, but fell due to injury concerns. He had an immediate impact on the Giants defense with 8.0 sacks as a rookie.

Ojulari has been a disruptive pass rusher whenever he's been on the field, but he has also proved to be a liability as a run defender.

His injury concerns were born out and his rookie year was his last healthy season.

That is likely why Ojulari only signed a one-year deal with the Eagles when he was projected to sign a relatively rich multi-year deal.

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...agency-philadelphia-eagles-sign-azeez-ojulari

 

[New York Giants]

2025 NFL Draft prospect profile - Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse

Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Is McCord a sleeper at the QB position?

Speculation abounds as to what the New York Giants will do at quarterback. They’re widely expected to try and draft one of the top passers in this class, but what if that isn’t in the cards? What is “Plan D” for them?

A name fairly commonly brought up by Giants fans, but not the media or in draft circles, is Kyle McCord out of Syracuse.

McCord started his career at Ohio State and was their starter for the 2023 season, however he elected to transfer to Syracuse for his final season of eligibility in 2024. McCord certainly got to throw the ball around in Syracuse’s spread offense, attempting 558 passes last year. Fans took notice of McCord when the Orange beat Miami late in the season, and his name began cropping up as a potential option for the Giants.

But will the NFL feel the same way?

Prospect: Kyle McCord (6)
Games Watched: vs. UNLV (2024), vs. Pittsburgh (2024), vs. Cal (2024), vs. Miami (2024)

Measurables​

Kent Lee Platte | RAS.football

Strengths​

Best traits

• Footwork
• Competitive toughness
• General accuracy

Kyle McCord is a good-sized quarterback with several traits that should appeal to NFL teams

To start, he has pro-ready footwork with calm, and quiet feet throughout his process. His drops are balanced and efficient, timing well with route concepts so he can get the ball out on time and in rhythm when the play isn’t disrupted. Likewise, he typically does a good job of aligning his feet with his target, allowing him to deliver a ball that is at least generally accurate and on-target.

McCord has adequate arm strength for the system he was asked to run. He’s able to generate enough velocity to challenge coverage in the short-to-intermediate area of the field and he’s able to access deeper areas of the field when he can step into the throw.

He’s also a functional athlete who can scramble to extend the play, as well as pick up yardage on his own if the defense turns their back on him. He’s also able to execute rollouts to move the pocket or change his launch point.

Weaknesses​

Worst traits

• Arm strength
• Athleticism
• Mental processing

McCord has two main weaknesses that will give teams pause.

First and foremost, he’s a one-read quarterback who has a strong tendency to lock onto his target very early in the down. While he does occasionally move off his primary read to a checkdown, it isn’t often nor is it quick. He also doesn’t often throw with anticipation and has a tendency to hold the ball or pump while he waits for his receiver to uncover before throwing.

His tendency to stare down receivers leads defenders to the catch point, leading to big hits, defended passes, and turnover worthy plays. He saw his interception total double when transferring from Ohio State to Syracuse, and there were still multiple missed opportunities for interceptions on the tape viewed.

McCord also lacks great arm strength and has a mediocre arm. While “Arm Talent” is often over-valued, McCord is a relatively limited passer. He has a somewhat long and slow throwing motion with a noticeable windup. That can further slow down his process and allow defenders an extra beat to close on the receiver or get their hands up to disrupt the passing lane. He also struggles to generate velocity to drive the ball down the field, and his passes tend to stall outside the numbers. McCord has to work to generate power for his deeper passes, which can lead to a decline in accuracy and a lack of precision that forces receivers to make catches at the extremes of their radii. He also lacks the arm strength to generate significant velocity when throwing off-platform.

Finally, while McCord is a functional athlete overall, he isn’t a particularly good one and he lacks great quickness, agility, burst, or speed as an athlete. While McCord can extend plays against college offenses, he won’t escape many NFL caliber athletes. Likewise, he shouldn’t be relied upon to be a regular contributor in a teams’ run game.

Game Tape​

Projection​

Kyle McCord projects as a reserve quarterback for a team that is heavily based in West Coast principles. McCord has some traits that teams could try to develop, however his limitations will only be more significant at the NFL level.

McCord was able to execute the route concepts called in the Syracuse offense well enough. And just because that’s what he was asked to do, it doesn’t mean that’s all he’s capable of doing. It’s possible that he could eventually become a “point guard” in the NFL.

That said, McCord struggled mightily against tight coverage on tape and his tendency to stare down receivers and limited arm strength erased any margin for error. Greater defensive complexity and speed at the next level could be more than McCord is able to overcome.

Does he fit the Giants?
No

Final Word: A late Day 3 pick

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...ofile-kyle-mccord-qb-syracuse-scouting-report

 

[New York Giants]

Giants news, 3/18: Jameis Winston to visit Giants, Zach Pascal, Aaron Rodgers, more headlines

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

New York Giants headlines for Tuesday

Good morning New York Giants fans!

From Big Blue View​

• Giants free agency news: QB Jameis Winston to meet with the Giants
• Veteran WR Zach Pascal visits Giants
• Three remaining free agents who could help the New York Giants
• NFC East free agency recap: What have the Eagles, Commanders and Cowboys done?
• New York Giants free agency tracker: Latest signings, rumors, news, analysis
• New York Giants’ QB search: Everything we know about pursuit of a veteran quarterback
• 2025 NFL Draft prospect profile - Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse
• NFL pro days schedule, results tracker 2025: What to know about pre-draft workouts
• New York Giants 2025 free agency | New York Giants 2025 Draft

Other Giant observations​

The Aaron Rodgers waiting game: Two QBs, three teams wait on Kevin O’Connell and Vikings’ call | The Athletic​

Rodgers has been targeted by the Steelers and Giants but has essentially put both teams on hold while he waits for clarity regarding the Vikings’ situation. If Minnesota ceases to be an option, it’s also possible that Rodgers will turn down both the Steelers (a 2024 playoff team) and Giants and instead opt for retirement.

To be sure, pursuing Rodgers would be an organizational decision, Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell is the person with the most on the line, and it will only happen if he’s comfortable with the scenario. The bottom line: There are a lot of people waiting on Rodgers’ decision. And Rodgers, at least for now, is waiting on O’Connell.

Making the case why the Giants are the best fit for Aaron Rodgers​

Colin on why Aaron Rodgers should sign with the Giants over the Steelers pic.twitter.com/xmZ7YhpZ1b

— Marshall Green (@MarshallGreen_) March 15, 2025​

Every NFL team’s biggest need following free agency | PFF​

New York Giants: Quarterback. Giants primary owner John Mara laid down the law in his postseason press conference, placing general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll on the hot seat while acknowledging that finding a franchise quarterback is the team’s top priority.

Well, the only quarterback on New York’s roster as of March 16 is Tommy DeVito. The Giants seem to be in the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes with Russell Wilson as a Plan B. Even if one signs with New York, it shouldn’t preclude the team from selecting Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders in the draft.

Giants are one of NFL’s biggest free agency spenders | USAToday.com​

Over the Cap notes that the Giants have spent $193.5 million so far this offseason, the third most in the NFL behind Minnesota ($245.4 million) and New England ($238.5 million).

Updated NFL Salary Cap Outlook for All 32 Teams Entering Week 2 of Free Agency 2025 | Bleacher Report​

As the second week of free agency begins and still not having signed a quarterback yet, the New York Giants have $25.9 million available in the salary cap.

Future teammates?​

Free agent Stefon Diggs playing catch and training with #Giants QB Tommy DeVito
pic.twitter.com/ukZrhSiwXa

— hello (@hello014258) March 16, 2025​

2025 NFL Draft: Cam Ward is much more than the top QB of a weak class. Here’s why | Yahoo Sports​

There’s a lot to like about Ward’s game, and Nate Tice thinks it would slot him favorably in 2024’s lauded draft class. But can you win *because* of Ward in the NFL?

New York Giants mock draft 3.0: A Big Blue trade in latest projection | The Record​

Round 4, Pick No. 104: Jordan Phillips, DT, Maryland. Phillips had himself a week at the East-West Shrine Bowl, showcasing good power and explosion on the interior. He's an early draft entrant still just 20 years old who was included on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List in The Athletic for his 665-pound squat and 365-pound overhead press. The Tennessee transfer could fit with the Giants as a 3-technique, and it'll be interesting how high his all-star performance boosts his value. But in a loaded class at the position, Phillips could emerge as one of those Day 3 gems who should have gone way earlier.

Around the league​

Dallas Cowboys free agents: Baltimore Ravens signing QB Cooper Rush | Blogging The Boys

Mekhi Becton thanks the Eagles for making him better as he leaves for the Chargers | Pro Football Talk

Eagles RB AJ Dillon ‘good to go’ after missing 2024 season due to neck injury | NFL.com

FB Jakob Johnson leaves Giants for a one-year deal with the Texans | Pro Football Talk

Bengals reach extensions with WRs Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins | ESPN.com

Texans, Derek Stingley Jr. agree on three-year, $90 million deal to make him league’s highest-paid DB | NFL.com

Raiders to re-sign former Giant CB Darnay Holmes | Pro Football Talk

Sources -- Free agent JuJu Smith-Schuster returning to Chiefs | ESPN.com

49ers trade RB Jordan Mason to Vikings, per source: Why Minnesota made the move | The Athletic

Kyler Murray: Cardinals 'on the up and up' in 2025 | NFL.com

49ers bring back Kyle Juszczyk on two-year deal days after releasing him | CBSSports.com

BBV mailbag​

Have a Giants-related question? E-mail it to bigblueview@gmail.com and it might be featured in our weekly mailbag.

BBV YouTube​

You can find and subscribe to Big Blue View YouTube from the show’s home page

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Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...ants-zach-pascal-aaron-rodgers-more-headlines

 

[New York Giants]

Your daily Giants trivia game, Tuesday edition

Think you can figure out which Giants player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

We’re back for another day of the Big Blue View in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in the Google Form.

Today’s Big Blue View in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Monday, March 17, 2025
Sunday, March 16, 2025
Saturday, March 15, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Big Blue View in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the correct Giants player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/18/24388453/sb-nation-giants-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[New York Giants]

Mel Kiper mock draft: Shedeur Sanders to New York Giants after free agency

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Giants get their quarterback

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is the choice at No. 3 for the New York Giants in Mel Kiper’s newly-released post-free agency NFL mock draft.

Kiper said his mock is based on intel from sources inside the league. He gives quarterback Cam Ward to the Tennessee Titans at No. 1, saying “it sure seems the stars are starting to align for Tennessee to draft its next franchise QB. At No. 2, he gives edge defender Abdul Carter to the Cleveland Browns, saying that drafting a quarterback “wouldn’t be out of the question,” but that Carter or Travis Hunter “just makes more sense right now.”

That leaves Sanders for the quarterback-starved Giants, and Kiper didn’t pas on the chance.

Even if the Giants land Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson, they need to think about the future under center. Rodgers is 41. Wilson is 36. Neither would be the long-term fix. That’s why I still think the Giants could draft Sanders at No. 3. And signing one of those veterans — two guys who have won Super Bowls — then double-dipping at the position with Sanders would only help the rookie learn and develop. There would be no pressure to start Sanders right away or be the guy in Week 1.

In Sanders, New York would get a super accurate passer (74.0% completion rate in 2024) who is tough as nails. Despite taking the most sacks in the FBS over the past two seasons (94), he also tied for second in touchdown passes during that time frame (64). Sanders could provide some QB stability to New York for the first time since Eli Manning was taking the snaps.

Valentine’s View: No lengthy analysis. All I will say is it won’t be a surprise if the draft unfolds this way.

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...-sanders-to-new-york-giants-after-free-agency

 

[New York Giants]

Who is the best free agent quarterback for the Giants?

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

One stands out among the others

Most of us have opinions on which free agent quarterback the New York Giants should sign as the 2025 starter or as a bridge to a quarterback obtained in the draft. We don’t know whether the Giants want to or will be able to trade up to No. 1, whether Cam Ward is their preference if they do, whether Shedeur Sanders is their second choice if he’s there at No. 3, whether they’d want or be able to trade back into the first round for Jaxson Dart or Jalen Milroe if they miss on Ward and Sanders, whether they like any of the other quarterback prospects enough to take them at No. 34, and whether any satisfactory developmental QB would still be available at No. 65.

That’s a lot of “whether”s.

That makes the signing of a veteran quarterback a pretty big decision for Joe Schoen, who may be looking for work this time next year if he doesn’t get it right. The problem is that the very fact that a veteran QB is available at this moment tells us that there is something undesirable about them, despite the fact that two of them are probable Hall of Famers. Some of those undesirable things are off-the-field concerns, length and/or size of contract demands, etc. Let’s just stick to the football aspect, though, and ask: Today, not at the peak of their careers, what would the Giants be getting with each quarterback and how does it compare to what they had last year?

To get an idea let’s look at advanced statistics for 2024 that Pro Football Focus provides. Some, e.g., PFF grades, are judgment calls by analysts watching film, albeit of every snap; others, though, are hard numbers sorted in more revealing ways than the usual statistics. The list includes Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco, Jameis Winston, and for comparison, the devil you know, Daniel Jones.

Basic passing statistics​

Courtesy of Pro Football Focus

• If you believe PFF grades, all four of them were better passers than Jones (67.5) last year, though only barely for Winston (69.9) and Flacco (70.7). Wilson (77.5) and Rodgers (76.3) are still very good, but they are no longer elite. Rodgers has graded above 90 in four of his seasons and above 80 in 12 of them, but none since 2021. Wilson has graded above 90 once and above 80 in 7 of his seasons, but none since 2020. Both are still good, but not great. The Giants would not be getting the HOF version of either player. Flacco has graded over 80 only once in his 17-year career (2009). Winston has never graded as high as 80, and his only two seasons over 70 were 2016 and 2017. Jones has graded over 70 twice, in 2020 and 2021 (in 2022 he graded 69.5).
• ALL of them threw more TD passes than Jones last year, even though Flacco and Winston played significantly fewer snaps. Wilson threw 18 TDs to Jones’ 8 and had only 5 INTs to Jones’ 7 even though he played only 37 more snaps. Winston, as per his reputation, had both a lot of TDs and a lot of INTs given his number of snaps.
• Wilson had 24 big-time throws (BTTs) to only 7 turnover-worthy plays (TWPs), by far the best ratio for any of them. Rodgers was somewhat similar but had more TWPs. Jones, Flacco, and Winston all had more TWPs than BTTs. In other words, in Flacco and Winston, the Giants would be getting QBs with similar levels of net passing success as Jones...but with one exception. Jones’ 7.5 yard average depth of target (ADOT) was the second lowest of the five, while Winston (9.7) and Flacco (9.2) were third and sixth in the NFL in ADOT, while Wilson was 15th. With any of those three, expect the ball to be pushed downfield a lot more than Giants’ fans have been used to when Tyrod Taylor was not on the field. (For the record, Taylor’s ADOT was 11.1 and 9.1 in his two seasons as a Giant). Rodgers’ 7.3 ADOT last season was his lowest since 2017, when he was injured much of the year; usually he’s been well above eight. Is he now a checkdown merchant, or was the Jets’ offensive line or offensive game plan to blame?

Passing depth​

Deep​

Courtesy of Pro Football Focus

Wilson and Rodgers are still among the league’s great deep passers when they decide to do it. Wilson’s 97.3 grade on passes of 20+ yards was the best in the NFL among QBs with at least 50 such attempts, while Rodgers’ 92.3 was eighth. Wilson has a reputation for throwing moon balls that are often up for grabs, but the stats belie this notion: His 21:1 BTT:TWP ratio on such passes was excellent, as was Rodgers’ 20:2. Wilson’s 54% completion rate on deep throws comfortably led the NFL (Rodgers was 14th). No wonder Darius Slayton smiled at his presser when asked about Wilson. (For comparison, Tyrod Taylor was 96.0 and 15:2 in these stats in 2023, when he was the Giants’ best QB). Flacco, Winston, and Jones were much less likely to make great deep throws and just about as likely to make turnover-worthy throws when they tried...and they tried much less often than Wilson despite playing a fairly similar number of snaps.

Intermediate​

Courtesy of Pro Football Focus

Winston actually led the NFL with 27.4% of his pass attempts being to intermediate depths (10-19 yards), and his grade on those (82.7) was 12th in the NFL. He threw past the sticks on 47% of his passes last year, 7th highest in the NFL. Flacco wasn’t too far behind (21.4%, 77.3), fairly similar to Sam Darnold’s numbers last year. Wilson was excellent (89.1, 7th in the NFL) - he just rarely probed that part of the field (12.9%), though he managed 7 TDs. Jones (74.0) was above average but also fairly intermediate-averse, and surprisingly, Rodgers was just as averse and only average when he did (67.4). The biggest thing is that none of them were likely to make big plays when they tried the 10-19 yard range - all of them had very few BTTs (Jones had none) and were about as likely to make a TWP as a BTT when they tried. For context, Joe Burrow had 14 BTTs and 4 TWPs last year while Lamar Jackson had 11 and 1 on intermediate depth passes.

Short​

Courtesy of Pro Football Focus

Passes less than 10 yards aren’t exciting, but sometimes you’ve got to just move the chains, and when you’re inside the 10, 7 points is better than 3. There are few BTTs at such distances, but there are TWPs (five of them last year from Winston). Rodgers (80.2) was the best of the five, but Jones and Flacco were still very good, while Winston and Wilson were just average.

Pressure​

Courtesy of Pro Football Focus

No quarterback likes pressure. That’s why Patrick Mahomes didn’t three-peat and why Tom Brady went 18-1 rather than 19-0 in 2007. Not surprisingly, then, each of the five quarterbacks we’re looking at performed below average under pressure last season. Rodgers and Wilson, the two best QBs the Giants are considering, were at least just moderately below average and had more TDs than INTs when pressured. (Rodgers had a remarkable 8 TDs and 0 INTs.) Jones, Flacco, and Winston all performed terribly under pressure. This is one of the things that separates great from mediocre quarterbacks.

Sometimes a quarterback is his own worst enemy, though:

Courtesy of Pro Football Focus

The absolute numbers in the chart above aren’t of much interest, since the five quarterbacks played very different numbers of passing snaps. The percentages on the right, though, show PFF’s judgment of how often the QB himself, as opposed to the offensive line, was responsible for the pressure. (The percentages add up to less than 100 because I left out those attributed to inline tight ends, running backs, etc.). What we see is that Wilson did the worst job of avoiding sacks, with Jones not far behind, while Flacco was by far the best. In this albeit limited sense, we might say that Flacco has excellent pocket presence while Wilson does not, though pocket presence is about more than just avoiding sacks.

Notice that left tackle was the biggest culprit (31.3%) for the Giants last season - that’s because the Giants’ braintrust had no viable replacement for Andrew Thomas when he got injured.

Time in the pocket​

PFF breaks down passing stats by attempts that occur in less than vs. greater than 2.5 seconds. Here are the less than 2.5 seconds breakdowns:

Courtesy of Pro Football Focus

and the greater than 2.5 seconds breakdowns:

Courtesy of Pro Football Focus

There are some fascinating differences among the quarterbacks depending on how long they hold the ball before throwing:

• Wilson is excellent (92.1 grade, 13 TDs, 1 INT) when he gets the ball off quickly, and Rodgers isn’t too far behind (86.3 grade, 10 TDs, 5 INTs). The majority of their BTTs occur in these situations.
• Jones was all right (71.8) when he released the ball quickly, but it didn’t translate that much on the scoreboard (4 TDs, 3 INTs). The same was true for Flacco and Winston but with somewhat lower passing grades.
• Winston (71.2) and Flacco (69.8) were just about as good, though, when they held the ball for a long time as when they got the ball off quickly, while Rodgers, Jones, and especially Wilson were noticeably worse.

The verdict​

Setting aside the off-field issues with all these quarterbacks, the contract amount and length demands, the desire to play in the New York market, and anything else other than what happens on the field, what we can say about the remaining potential bridge quarterbacks is as follows:

The distinct perception within the NFL seems to be that Rodgers is the most desirable option and Wilson a distant second. Wilson has met with both the Giants and Browns and has walked out of the building without a contract. In contrast, both the Giants and Steelers seem to be ready to have Rodgers sign on the bottom line, and the reason it hasn’t occurred is that Rodgers is on either a darkness retreat or ayahuasca retreat or (more likely) is begging the Vikings to sign him instead.

Their 2024 performance does not support that, though. Rodgers has been the better QB over his career and a more certain Hall of Famer than Wilson. In 2024, though, Wilson was just as good if not better a quarterback than Rodgers was. Wilson still excels in the deep and intermediate passing game, though Rodgers is better in the short game. Rodgers is better under pressure, less likely to get himself sacked, and more likely to make a big play even when he has to hold the ball for a long time.

Flacco and Winston, on the other hand, are at this stage of their careers fairly similar to Daniel Jones. All of them are terrible under pressure. They are all as likely to make a big pass as a terrible pass, but both Flacco and Winston are more likely to try to make a big play downfield. Both are less likely to run themselves into sacks and more likely to try to make something happen downfield even when forced to hold the ball.

Maybe it’s the desire for two years. Maybe it’s the money. But whatever the reason is that the Giants don’t yet have a quarterback, their best shot is signing Wilson. He can still play, and he can play better than any quarterback the Giants have had since 2012 Eli Manning. Let him be the example for a rookie QB, whoever it may be. If not, though, either Flacco or Winston would be a somewhat more entertaining version of Jones but without the running ability and at a much lower cost.

All things considered, if Wilson is willing to sign a contract, the Giants should do it.

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/18/24387036/who-is-the-best-free-agent-quarterback-for-the-giants