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[New York Giants]

NFL analyst: Giants' Joe Schoen 'deserves love' for 2024 draft class

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen is entering his fourth season on the job and is doing so with a tailwind that could take his team to future success.

The Giants had a rough 2024, suffering some embarrassing blows both on and off the field leading to Schoen almost getting himself and head coach Brian Daboll fired after a 3-14 season.

What is saving Schoen is his latest draft class — a group of six players who could become the core of the franchise.

• Round 1 – (No. 6) Malik Nabers, WR | 15 games/13 starts

• Round 2 – (47) Tyler Nubin, S | 13 games/starts
• Round 3 – (70) Andru Phillips, NB | 14 games/6 starts
• Round 4 – (107) Theo Johnson, TE | 12 games/11 starts
• Round 5 – (166) Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB | 17 games/12 starts

• Round 6 – (183) Darius Muasau, LB | 15 games/7 starts

Notable free agent signees:

• Elijah Chatman, DT | 17 games/3 starts
• Jake Kubas, OG | 5 games/3 starts

NFL.com analyst Gennaro Felice listed the Giants’ 2024 draft class as No. 6 out of 32 in a recent ranking with an A- grade.

With Saquon Barkley turning in one of the greatest campaigns ever by an NFL running back, the season felt like a six-month dunk contest on Joe Schoen. But here in draftland, the Giants general manager deserves love.

Quibble with the decision to not take a quarterback if you like — Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr. and J.J. McCarthy were all available at No. 6 overall — but New York added a bushel of starters, beginning with rookie Pro Bowler Malik Nabers. Combining a dog mentality with dynamic playmaking ability, Nabers posted spectacular numbers (109/1,204/7) while catching passes from an unspectacular cast of quarterbacks (Daniel Jones/Drew Lock/Tommy DeVito/Tim Boyle).

And he wasn’t the only first-year player to infuse New York’s offense with some much-needed juice. Tyrone Tracy Jr., who spent most of his college career as a wide receiver, showcased dual-threat ability out of the backfield, while Theo Johnson started 11 games at tight end before breaking his foot on Thanksgiving. Defensively, the secondary remained suspect in 2024 — particularly at outside corner — but the Giants added a pair of versatile building blocks in nickelback Andru Phillips and safety Tyler Nubin. Phillips especially stood out as an edgy playmaker.

Schoen has eight picks in the 2025 NFL draft, including the third overall selection. If he can remotely duplicate his 2024 performance, the Giants just might be able to climb out of the NFC East cellar.

Related​

Was Giants CB Deonte Banks responsible for Jerome Henderson's firing?​

Giants are 'scouring the landscape' for their next franchise QB​

Retired NFL MVP warns Giants about QB Matthew Stafford​

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/202...ts-joe-schoen-deserves-love-2024-draft-class/

 

[New York Giants]

Giants' Graham Gano named a potential cap casualty

The New York Giants have approximately $43 million in available cap space to play with come free agency next month but that doesn’t mean they won’t continue to fine-tune their roster.

One potential cap casualty this offseason could be veteran kicker Graham Gano, per The Athletic.

The Giants don’t have any albatross contracts to shed this offseason and they’re in a healthy enough cap situation that they don’t need to make any cap cuts. Still, a $5.7 million cap hit is excessive for the 37-year-old Gano, who has missed 16 games due to injury the past two seasons. The Giants can create $3.2 million in cap savings while eating $2.5 million in dead money by dumping Gano. That’s not an overwhelming financial impetus, but a team in the Giants’ position can allocate that money better.

The Giants could very well part ways with Gano as Dan Duggan outlines and may already have his successor in Jude McAtamney, who they inked to a futures deal last month.

McAtamney, an Irish native who kicked at Rutgers, played in one game for the Giants last season converting his one PAT chance and a 31-yard field goal in the Giants’ Week 9 loss to Washington.

The Giants could also explore a cheaper veteran option. Greg Joseph was their kicker for the final six games last season. He could be brought back to challenge McAtamney this summer at camp.

Related​

NFL analyst: Giants' Joe Schoen 'deserves love' for 2024 draft class​

Was Giants CB Deonte Banks responsible for Jerome Henderson's firing?​

Giants are 'scouring the landscape' for their next franchise QB​

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/17/new-york-giants-graham-gano-named-potential-cap-casualty/

 

[New York Giants]

Amani Toomer continues to slam Giants: There's a 'cultural problem'

Shortly after the conclusion of Super Bowl LIX, retired New York Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer addressed Michael Strahan waiving the Philadelphia Eagles flag and called it a “warning shot” to the franchise.

Toomer lamented the current regime’s futility and failures, adding that they should be held accountable in the same way their long-time players had been.

In a recent interview with Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, Toomer continued his justified assault, noting that it’s not a personal gripe but a professional one.

“I love Brian Daboll, and I love Joe Schoen,” Toomer said. “But at the end of the day this is not a personality contest. This is a results business, and the results just aren’t there. It’s not personal. I don’t hate these guys. I just want the results. It’s like, ‘Show me the baby.’ Show me something to be proud of.

“There should be nobody comfortable in that building. The last two years. I know the owner’s not happy. I know that for a fact. I know that the front office isn’t happy.”

Ultimately, Toomer believes, there’s a culture problem that is highlighted by a lack of effort on the field — something everyone can see.

“We have a corner out there who’s not — we have somebody out there, I’m not gonna say any names — who’s not putting forth effort. That is the basics of winning,” he said. “How do you not play with effort in the NFL? That’s one of two things: either they’re not holding him accountable, or the team isn’t deep enough to where you have a real fear of losing your position every day of the week.”

The issue with culture is also evident when it comes to roster building. Under general manager Joe Schoen, the Giants have allowed multiple captains to walk. They’ve also set free more Pro Bowlers and All-Pros than they have on their current roster, which has become a glaring issue.

“We let three Pro Bowlers out of our building: [Xavier] McKinney, Saquon [Barkley] and [Leonard] Williams. We let them just go,” Toomer said. “And I’m sure there’s more of them: Evan Engram, even [Sterling] Shepard played well. [Julian] Love. That’s a cultural problem. And you can draft whoever you want. We could have drafted Patrick Mahomes. If that culture is not there, that’s a big problem.”

How do the Giants fix it? Change everything.

“You’ve got to change everything,” Toomer said. “The way you practice, everything, so there’s nothing similar from last year. Comfortability kills teams. And if they feel comfortable, raise the bar of expectations to the point where if you don’t want to become part of this team, it becomes brutally honest.”

Unfortunately for the Giants and their fans, they’ve changed next to nothing so far this offseason. The front office and coaching staff remain largely the same and therefore, the culture will remain largely the same.

Related​

Giants' Graham Gano named a potential cap casualty​

NFL analyst: Giants' Joe Schoen 'deserves love' for 2024 draft class​

Was Giants CB Deonte Banks responsible for Jerome Henderson's firing?​

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/202...slam-new-york-giants-theres-cultural-problem/

 

[New York Giants]

NFL analyst names Giants as best fit for QB Justin Fields

The New York Giants are in the market for quarterbacks this offseason, both for the short- and long-term.

One player who will be available in free agency next month might fit both of those roles — former Bears and Steelers quarterback Justin Fields.

FOX Sports has the 26-year-old Fields rated fourth among free agent quarterbacks this offseason.

The Steelers coaching staff had Fields make smart, snappy decisions in their offense. As a result, his interception percentage dropped from 2.4% in 2023 to 0.6% in 2024. He had the highest completion percentage (65.8) and quarterback rating (93.3) of his career. It’s still sort of foggy whether Mike Tomlin made the right decision to bench Fields and turn things over to Russell Wilson, who fizzled out at the end of the year. If the 25-year-old Fields doesn’t return to Pittsburgh as QB1, another team will see the way the Steelers reset his fundamentals. He’s still a project, but the bones are good.

How do the Giants fit in? ESPN’s Benjamin Solak believes the improving Fields would be a match for the Giants and head coach Brian Daboll, who has had success in developing running quarterbacks.

What team is the BEST FIT for Justin Fields this offseason?@BenjaminSolak: "I like Fields to the Giants." @heykayadams @Giants pic.twitter.com/rr6uf4J8ho

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) February 17, 2025

The Giants could still draft a quarterback or even add another experienced starter to their room but this idea appears to make sense.

Only if it works, that is. If it fails, it will be just be another swing and a miss for general manager Joe Schoen.

Related​

Wild trade proposal lands Giants dynamic WR to pair with Malik Nabers​

2025 NFL draft: ESPN's Matt Miller has 0 quarterbacks with first-round grade​

Giants take Shedeur Sanders over Cam Ward in latest PFF mock draft​

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/202...rk-giants-best-fit-quarterback-justin-fields/

 

[New York Giants]

Wild trade proposal lands Giants dynamic WR to pair with Malik Nabers

The New York Giants found their next superstar last season in top draft pick Malik Nabers, who set an NFL record for receptions by a rookie wide receiver.

But the Giants are still in need of more help on offense. They first could use a starting quarterback but will also be seeking another big playmaker on offense.

Could that player be San Francisco 49ers versatile wideout Deebo Samuel? The folks at The 33rd Team recently named the Giants as a possible trade partner for Samuel’s services.

The trade proposal is a simple one: The Giants send their 2025 third-round pick (No. 65 overall) to the Niners in exchange for Samuel, who has recently requested to be traded.

Outside of Nabers, the Giants don’t have another impact playmaker at receiver or tight end. Darius Slayton will be a free agent, while Wan’Dale Robinson had just 1.21 YPRR despite significant volume in the slot in 2024.

The Giants could try to take Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft, but even if they do so, they can’t have a rookie quarterback trying to force-feed one target, even one as talented as Nabers. Adding a safety blanket underneath in a veteran like Samuel is the perfect way to settle down a rookie quarterback early in their career, especially with a coaching staff led by Brian Daboll.

Nabers and Samuel bring a great one-two punch to any offense, especially one that will likely be getting a new quarterback this offseason.

Samuel comes with a few red flags. He’s 29, right on the far edge of what many personnel evaluators would call his prime, plus he’s often injured or banged up.

Samuel doesn’t miss many games but his role in San Francisco as both a receiver and a runner has put him in harm’s way. There’s some wear and tear there.

It’s worth a shot, but the Giants might have other plans with that pick this year. Spending it on a player whose career may be on the downside might not fit general manager Joe Schoen’s vision.

Related​

2025 NFL draft: ESPN's Matt Miller has 0 quarterbacks with first-round grade​

Giants take Shedeur Sanders over Cam Ward in latest PFF mock draft​

Amani Toomer continues to slam Giants: There's a 'cultural problem'​

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/202...iants-dynamic-deebo-samuel-pair-malik-nabers/

 

[New York Giants]

2025 NFL draft: ESPN's Matt Miller has 0 quarterbacks with first-round grade

The New York Giants hold the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft and are in desperate need of a young quarterback. In any other year, that would put them in a prime position to achieve their goal but this is the Giants we’re talking about.

Six quarterbacks went off the board in the first round a year ago but that won’t be the case in 2025. With the Giants finally in striking distance of a young quarterback to build around it seems fitting that the class is largely underwhelming.

Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders are considered the top two at the quarterback position, but ESPN’s Matt Miller believes they would have been considered QB5 and QB6 in 2024.

In fact, Miller doesn’t have a single quarterback with a first-round grade this year.

Quarterback (0)

One year after seeing six quarterbacks drafted in the first round, the 2025 class has zero passers with a true first-round grade. Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward would have both been ranked behind Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and even J.J. McCarthy in 2024.

Both Sanders and Ward are talented and have the potential to rise in the predraft process, but I wouldn’t be comfortable calling them first-round prospects based on this past season’s tape. That doesn’t mean they won’t be drafted in the first round, though. In fact, it’s a safe bet that both get drafted in the top five selections; quarterbacks always go early.

If that weren’t bad enough, Miller had just three quarterbacks with a first-round grade in 2024 (Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye). That would suggest Round 2 or Round 3 grades on Sanders and Ward a year ago and Round 2 grades on them this coming April.

Of course, grades can be taken with a grain of salt. No one is perfect and every analyst gets something wrong at some point, but there seems to be a growing consensus that taking any of these quarterbacks in the top three would be considered a potentially dangerous reach.

Related​

Giants take Shedeur Sanders over Cam Ward in latest PFF mock draft​

Amani Toomer continues to slam Giants: There's a 'cultural problem'​

Giants' Graham Gano named a potential cap casualty​

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/202...matt-miller-0-quarterbacks-first-round-grade/

 

[New York Giants]

Giants take Shedeur Sanders over Cam Ward in latest PFF mock draft

Regardless of what happens in free agency, the New York Giants will enter the 2025 NFL draft with their eyes on a young quarterback.

They heavily scouted Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders throughout the season, but will those perceived top two even be available when the Giants come up to pick at No. 3 overall?

In the latest mock draft from Jordan Plocher of Pro Football Focus, both are available to the Giants after Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter went off the board at 1-2. And with their pick of QBs, Big Blue goes Sanders.

The Giants need a new identity and direction, and adding talent at the most important position in sports is the best way to achieve that. Sanders is a highly accurate quarterback with a proven track record as a productive starter. Pairing Shedeur Sanders with Malik Nabers could give the Giants the foundation for an explosive passing attack.

This choice is interesting because based on PFF’s own metrics, Sanders is the inferior player and the draft grade would be an “F.” They have him rated as the 42nd overall player and Ward as the 17th overall player.

Ward doesn’t go off the board in this mock until the New York Jets at pick No. 7 overall.

Plocher fails to explain this discrepancy but perhaps he’s just reading into the rumors and speculation. Sanders and the Giants have been linked more than any other player-team in recent months but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right decision in that scenario.

If the Giants really had their pick of Ward and Sanders, it feels like Ward would be the safer choice.

Related​

Amani Toomer continues to slam Giants: There's a 'cultural problem'​

Giants' Graham Gano named a potential cap casualty​

NFL analyst: Giants' Joe Schoen 'deserves love' for 2024 draft class​

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/202...-sanders-over-cam-ward-latest-pff-mock-draft/

 

[New York Giants]

Report: Floyd Mayweather putting 'huge offer' together for Giants minority stake

Last week, the New York Giants announced they would explore a sale of a minority stake in the team.

Since then, rumors have spread about potential suitors and former players who might want a piece of the pie. The latest duo to express interest in the team is Floyd Mayweather and real estate mogul Meyer Orbach.

From TMZ Sports:

Floyd Mayweather wants to own the NY Giants … and we’re told the 50-0 boxing legend is leading a group gunning to buy a 10% stake in the 4x Super Bowl-winning franchise!

TMZ Sports has learned that 47-year-old Mayweather and his business partner, prominent real estate magnate, Meyer Orbach, are putting together an offer. There will likely be another wealthy investor added to the team, per what we are being told from our sources.

We’re told the offer will be in the neighborhood of $700 million … and the plan is to submit the proposal soon. We’re told TBE has already moved $200 million into an escrow account.

“My partners and I are always looking at different opportunities, including ownership of sports teams. I can’t comment further than that,” Orbach told TMZ.

Orbach already owns a minority stake in the Minnesota Timberwolves and Floyd Mayweather has had his hands in various businesses for years. They want to purchase a 10 percent stake in the Giants and plan to offer $700 million, but that likely won’t be enough.

No formal valuation of the Giants has been done, so it’s hard to determine what amount equals 10 percent of the organization, but a $700 million offer means this particular view values the team at $7 billion.

In a handful of valuations done in the last year, the Giants are estimated to be worth anywhere from $6.8 to $7.65 billion.

There will likely be even more suitors lining up to place an offer for a minority stake in the Giants, but without a formal valuation, the money they will need to purchase that stake remains muddy. But it’s likely that more than $700 million will be needed.

Related​

Justin Pugh responds to Giants exploring minority ownership sale​

Could Eli Manning join group that buys minority stake in Giants?​

Giants exploring sale of minority stake in the team​

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/202...ffer-together-new-york-giants-minority-stake/

 

[New York Giants]

Joel Thomas leaves Giants for reunion with Saints

The New York Giants are in the market for a running backs coach for the fifth consecutive year.

After just one season under head coach Brian Daboll, Joel Thomas has decided to leave East Rutherford and rejoin the New Orleans Saints in a lateral move.

Reunion: Longtime #Saints RB coach Joel Thomas, who spent last season with the #Giants, is returning to New Orleans on Kellen Moore’s staff, sources tell The Insiders.

Thomas is highly regarded and recently served as offensive coordinator in the Senior Bowl. pic.twitter.com/qWNVde9Ol5

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 18, 2025

Thomas spent nine years as the running backs coach in New Orleans before joining the Giants in 2024. In his lone season, he oversaw the development of rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr., who finished the year as the team’s starter, taking over for veteran Devin Singletary.

Thomas’ exit is the latest in a cycle for the Giants, who have also lost running back coaches DeAndre Smith (to the Indianapolis Colts) and Jeff Nixon (to Syracuse) under Daboll. Before that, Burton Burns (2020-21) served as the position coach but was let go after Joe Judge was fired.

Earlier this offseason, Thomas was among a slew of Giants coaches to join a Senior Bowl staff. He served as offensive coordinator of the American Team.

The Giants are now on the hunt for a replacement.

Related​

Report: Floyd Mayweather putting 'huge offer' together for Giants minority stake​

NFL analyst names Giants as best fit for QB Justin Fields​

Wild trade proposal lands Giants dynamic WR to pair with Malik Nabers​

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/202...eaves-new-york-giants-reunion-orleans-saints/

 

[New York Giants]

Giants could clear nearly $40 million in cap space with several restructures

The New York Giants have an estimated $43.4 million in salary cap space entering the offseason but that number will rise once the cap ceiling is eventually set.

Between now and then, general manager Joe Schoen could clear additional space by making a few cuts. Kicker Graham Gano was recently named among those who could become a cap casualty but there are other options on the roster.

Defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches is another name worth watching, notes Dan Duggan of The Athletic.

Cutting Nunez-Roches would create $3.6 million in cap savings while leaving $1.4 million in dead money. That’s a no-brainer. The Giants don’t need to have $5 million committed to a 31-year-old rotational defensive tackle.

Cutting Gano and Nunez-Roches would give the Giants roughly $50 million in salary cap space but that number could climb an additional $37.4 million with a few max restructures.

Duggan adds that left tackle Andrew Thomas, nose tackle Dexter Lawrence, and linebacker Brian Burns could all provide cap relief if Schoen felt he needed it.

Cutting Gano and Nunez-Roches would give the Giants a projected $50 million in cap space. They could create an additional $37.4 million in cap space with max restructures of Andrew Thomas, Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns. But $50 million is more than enough cap space to operate, so they should avoid any significant restructures this offseason.

Although the Giants will be active in free agency, there aren’t many positions they’re likely to overspend on outside of quarterback. If they need to clear space for someone like Matthew Stafford (trade possibility), the options are available to them.

Short of that, as Duggan alludes, it’s unlikely Schoen will go down the restructuring path.

Related​

Joel Thomas leaves Giants for reunion with Saints​

Report: Floyd Mayweather putting 'huge offer' together for Giants minority stake​

NFL analyst names Giants as best fit for QB Justin Fields​

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/202...ly-40-million-cap-space-several-restructures/

 

[New York Giants]

2025 NFL draft: Trading up to No. 1 would be costly for Giants

The Tennessee Titans appear open to the possibility of trading the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft and with the New York Giants in need of a quarterback, it’s plausible to assume they would consider moving up.

But what would it cost?

The Fitzgerald-Spielberger chart gives the No. 1 overall pick a value of 3,000 and the No. 3 overall pick a value of 2,443 — a difference of 557.

Based solely on those numbers, the Giants could bridge the gap with their first pick in the fourth round, No. 104 overall, which carries a value of 646. However, because a quarterback would be the likely target, there would be a bidding war. The Las Vegas Raiders are among the teams considering moving up.

With that in mind, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan compared past trades and current value charts to break down the Giants’ options and likely cost. He believes any deal would be far more expensive than just the No. 3 overall pick and the No. 104 overall pick.

The Giants’ first and second-round picks (Nos. 3 and 34) provide similar or more value than the top pick based on most modern draft charts. Even the Giants’ third-round pick (No. 66) and perhaps a 2026 second-round pick might provide enough value, if packaged with No. 3 overall, for the Titans to make such a move if they are not smitten with Ward or Sanders and want to defer their QB decision another year.

This is likely what it would take for the Giants to make such a move — No. 3 overall and Day 2 picks. Perhaps they could be asked to throw in another mid-round pick or future selection as well. If they are sold on either quarterback, that should not preclude them from making such a potential franchise-altering move.

That’s a hefty price to pay for a quarterback who likely doesn’t have a first-round grade. And it would also reek of the kind of desperation move general manager Joe Schoen promised he wouldn’t make in order to save his job.

Related​

Giants could clear nearly $40 million in cap space with several restructures​

Joel Thomas leaves Giants for reunion with Saints​

Report: Floyd Mayweather putting 'huge offer' together for Giants minority stake​

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/202...ding-up-no-1-would-be-costly-new-york-giants/

 

[New York Giants]

PFF outlines 'dream offseason' for New York Giants

What would a “dream” offseason look like for the New York Giants?

Obviously, landing a franchise quarterback would have to be part of that, but upgrading talent up and down the roster would also be on the menu.

Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus recently outlined the “dream offseason” for all 32 NFL teams and believes the Giants’ best moves would be to select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the third overall selection and sign veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs in free agency.

As alluded to in PFF’s best landing spots series, with the Giants holding a top-three draft pick, the are expected to make a play for one of the class’ top quarterbacks. Sanders is often linked to New York, and given his strong foundation as a passer with fundamentally sound throwing mechanics that give him the tools to develop at the next level, it’s no surprise why.

Pairing Diggs’ experience with breakout star Malik Nabers would provide Sanders with quality weapons in the receiving game and ample opportunity to produce quickly.

There are no real wrong answers for the Giants, who have a record of 9-25 over the past two seasons and have averaged just 15.8 points per game on offense over that period.

They need dynamism on offense as well as production. They also need to shift the narrative away from their gaping personnel mistakes that have compounded their culture problem.

Bringing in players who can add some excitement on and off the field will help shift the narrative of a Giants franchise that is at an all-time low when it comes to popularity.

Related​

Giants pass on QB, add dynamic star in latest Daniel Jeremiah mock draft​

2025 NFL draft: Trading up to No. 1 would be costly for Giants​

Giants could clear nearly $40 million in cap space with several restructures​

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/202...cus-outlines-dream-offseason-new-york-giants/

 

[New York Giants]

Giants pass on QB, add dynamic star in latest Daniel Jeremiah mock draft

The New York Giants could do multiple things with the third overall selection in the 2025 NFL draft.

They could select who they believe can be their next franchise quarterback, trade the selection for a package of players and picks, or take a player they believe could change the negative narrative and hopefully, their fortunes.

In NFL.com’s latest mock draft by analyst Daniel Jeremiah, the Giants do the latter and opt for Colorado two-way sensation Travis Hunter, this year’s Heisman Trophy winner.

The Giants do their best to make up for letting Saquon Barkley walk in free agency last year by adding a dynamic two-way player in Hunter.

Jeremiah is predicting that the Tennessee Titans use the top pick on Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter followed by Cleveland taking Miami quarterback Cam Ward.

The Giants then would grab Hunter, a player that can help them in all three phases of the game — defense, offense,e and special teams.

This, of course, can only happen if the Giants have resolved their quarterback issues by then via free agency and/or a trade.

If they haven’t found at least a short-term solution at quarterback by draft day, taking Hunter over college teammate Shedeur Sanders here would face massive criticism from the fans.

But Jeremiah is right. Hunter would upgrade the Giants in multiple areas and become a fan favorite with his heroics. Whether that equates to wins remains to be seen.

Hunter will participate in next week’s NFL Combine as a cornerback but can play just about anywhere in the secondary and can also be used as a weapon on offense and special teams.

Related​

2025 NFL draft: Trading up to No. 1 would be costly for Giants​

Giants could clear nearly $40 million in cap space with several restructures​

Joel Thomas leaves Giants for reunion with Saints​

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/202...vis-hunter-latest-daniel-jeremiah-mock-draft/

 

[New York Giants]

Do Giants have an impending free agent worthy of franchise tag?

The New York Giants have 30 impending free agents as the new league year approaches and only a handful appear to be worth re-signing.

That’s a testament to poor roster building, but that’s a debate for another time.

Of the free agents worth bringing back to East Rutherford, should any of them warrant franchise tag consideration? Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus doesn’t think so.

The Giants’ cap priorities lie in finding their franchise quarterback, whether that be via trade (Kirk Cousins), free agency (Sam Darnold) or the draft (Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders). That will likely require a significant cap investment, likely making a tag cost probative. Luckily, none of the Giants’ impending free agents warrant a franchise tag.

Darius Slayton would be the most logical option but the tag value for wide receiver is slated to be $25.7 million guaranteed. That’s nearly $20 million more than Slayton made in 2024.

Obviously, the Giants and general manager Joe Schoen aren’t going to do that.

The only other feasible option would be punter Jamie Gillan, but that would come at the expense of $6.5 million guaranteed — an astronomical number that doesn’t make fiscal sense.

Needless to say, do not expect the Giants to use a franchise or transition tag in 2025.

Related​

Jevon Holland, Teven Jenkins named best fits for Giants​

Salary cap spike is music to the ears of Giants GM Joe Schoen​

PFF outlines 'dream offseason' for New York Giants​

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/202...ve-impending-free-agent-worthy-franchise-tag/

 

[New York Giants]

Jevon Holland, Teven Jenkins named best fits for Giants

The new league year is just around the corner and that means the official start to free agency. The early frenzy is inevitable and with a spike in salary cap, the New York Giants promise to be very active from the onset.

In addition to quarterback, general manager Joe Schoen will also be poking around several other markets. Positional needs include offensive tackle, guard, interior defensive line, cornerback, and safety.

The Giants also need improved depth at nearly every position, and could also find themselves looking for a wide receiver if Darius Slayton is not re-signed.

ESPN’s Matt Bowen recently evaluated the top 50 impending free agents and determined what would be the best team fit. The Giants accounted for three of those beginning with safety Jevon Holland.

A year after allowing Xavier McKinney to sign with the Packers in free agency, the Giants could try to grab the best safety on the 2025 market in Holland. He has the multidimensional traits to impact all three levels of the field for a Giants defense that needs a difference-maker at safety. New York had five interceptions last season, fewer than all but one other team (Browns). In four pro seasons with the Dolphins, Holland has five interceptions, 16 pass breakups, five forced fumbles and five sacks.

Although Holland is an ideal candidate for the secondary-starved Giants, it’s become apparent that Schoen is resistant to paying safeties big money. Even after a down year in 2024, Holland won’t come cheap.

Bowen also believes the Giants will target a guard over a tackle and lists Teven Jenkins as a “best fit.”

The Giants could fill their right guard vacancy with Jenkins, a 2021 second-round pick for Chicago. Drafted as a tackle, Jenkins has had multiple injuries in his career, as he has played in only 38 of a possible 68 career games. However, he has the tools to drive defenders off the ball in the run game and he had a pass block win rate of 92.0% last season. He’d boost a poor OL in New York.

Given that many of the Giants’ offensive line issues stem from injury and a lack of continuity, signing an oft-injured starter may not be the best way to allocate resources.

When he’s on the field, Jenkins is an above-average all-around guard. But any time you have to say, “When he’s on the field,” that should raise a red flag. And Jenkins has never played a full season in his career.

Finally, Bowen lists quarterback Russell Wilson as an ideal fit for the Giants, but that conversation has become a bit redundant.

Sitting at No. 3 in the draft order, the Giants are in the mix to land a quarterback with their first-round pick this spring. But adding Wilson would give them some security heading into the draft. In 11 starts for the Steelers, Wilson completed 63.7% of his throws for 2,482 yards and 16 touchdowns. Because of his diminished mobility, Wilson isn’t a natural creator at this stage. But Giants coach Brian Daboll can scheme for Wilson, using a play-action-heavy approach and setting him up on vertical throws.

Wilson visited with the Giants last year and would like to play in New York, but he’s just one of many potential quarterback fits.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears were named a fit for Slayton.

Related​

Salary cap spike is music to the ears of Giants GM Joe Schoen​

PFF outlines 'dream offseason' for New York Giants​

Giants pass on QB, add dynamic star in latest Daniel Jeremiah mock draft​

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/202...even-jenkins-named-best-fits-new-york-giants/

 

[New York Giants]

2025 NFL draft: Comparing Giants results on multiple mock simulators

The 2025 NFL draft is a little over two months away and while much will change as the result of free agency, mock draft season continues to steam forward.

For the New York Giants, most predictions have become redundant and overly familiar. Given that they have the third overall pick in the first round, there’s only a small number of prospects likely to be selected (sans a trade). Rather than continue down that path, Giants Wire attempted something different and a bit more chaotic — comparing mock draft simulations from various outlets.

For this exercise, we left all settings on default with the exception of pick speed and trades. In each simulator that permitted it, we turned trading on, including CPU-to-CPU trades. And that certainly made things more interesting.

We controlled only the Giants and ran only a single simulation each. Here are the results.

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/lis...york-giants-results-multiple-mock-simulators/

 

[New York Giants]

Shedeur Sanders is Giants' most-picked prospect in PFF's mock simulator

The New York Giants hold the third overall selection in the 2025 NFL draft and could be in prime position to finally solve their franchise quarterback issue.

Pro Football Focus is suggesting that Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is the choice of Giants draft enthusiasts on their mock draft simulator.

But, if you do select Sanders at No. 3 to the Giants, they will give you an “F” grade. PFF has Sanders ranked as their 47th overall prospect.

Sanders may be below average in stature and arm talent compared to NFL quarterbacks, but he plays the game cleanly, takes care of the football and is tough as nails with ice in his veins under pressure.

Many draft experts have to question PFF’s rating system. They are basically saying that Sanders is a mid-second-round pick. That is highly unlikely.

We won’t know Sanders’ true value until after the upcoming NFL Combine and pro days.

Related​

2 Giants named to PFF's top 101 players from the 2024 NFL season​

2025 NFL draft: Comparing Giants results on multiple mock simulators​

Do Giants have an impending free agent worthy of franchise tag?​

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/202...ants-most-picked-prospect-pff-mock-simulator/

 

[New York Giants]

2 Giants named to PFF's top 101 players from the 2024 NFL season

One of the main goals of New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen since he took over the team three years ago has been to upgrade the overall talent.

Thus far, Schoen hasn’t really moved the needle in that area. He has conducted three drafts and only his most recent one has been received warmly by critics.

The Giants have a 9-25 record over the last two seasons and everyone is on the hook here in 2025. Looking at Schoen’s performance, he is growing into the job but there is still quite a way to go to get the club back into contention.

In a list of the NFL’s Top 101 players compiled by Pro Football Focus, the Giants placed just two names and one of them predates Schoen’s tenure.

53. DI Dexter Lawrence

Lawrence continues to play like one of the best defensive tackles in football, earning a top-three grade at the position for the third straight season. In fact, he was the only interior defender in the league with 80-plus grades both as a pass-rusher and run defender in 2024. Lawrence’s nine sacks on the season were the third most among defensive tackles as well.

The second is naturally Schoen’s best draft pick to date, a player who has already paid major dividends.

59. WR Malik Nabers

Nabers was the best receiver in college football last year at LSU, and he was the NFL’s best rookie receiver this season.

His 1,204 receiving yards ranked seventh among all receivers in the league in 2024 while his 86.7 PFF grade was eighth. Nabers was especially dangerous after the catch, placing third in receiving yards after contact (256) and fifth in forced missed tackles (19). The Giants drafted an LSU receiver in the first round 10 years ago in Odell Beckham Jr., and it looks like they struck gold again with the same exact method.

The Giants will have an increased war chest this offseason to use on player extensions and free agents thanks to the salary cap increase and also hold the No. 3 overall selection in the draft.

It’s do or die for Schoen and underlings this spring.

Related​

2025 NFL draft: Comparing Giants results on multiple mock simulators​

Do Giants have an impending free agent worthy of franchise tag?​

Jevon Holland, Teven Jenkins named best fits for Giants​

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/202...ts-named-pff-top-101-players-2024-nfl-season/

 

[New York Giants]

Salary cap spike is music to the ears of Giants GM Joe Schoen

The NFL has informed teams that the salary cap will be raised significantly this season, “somewhere between $277.5 and $281.5 million.” That is up from $255.4 million last season.

In total, the cap will have increased by more than $50 million over the past two years.

This is from the memo the league sent to teams today, including league’s explanation of why the cap number is not yet finalized. pic.twitter.com/CQC5azcMO8

— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) February 19, 2025

Based on the numbers at Spotrac, the Giants have a current available Top 51 cap space number of $45.1 million. The jump in the cap ceiling would give them more financial latitude heading into free agency next month.

The Giants could also gain even more cap room through some cuts and contract restructures, which were detailed recently. Coupled with the significant rise in the cap ceiling, general manager Joe Schoen could create a total of around $100 million in available cap space if he desired. However, that is highly unlikely (and unnecessary).

The league will announce a final salary cap number next week. Since 2009, the salary cap has nearly doubled as the NFL’s revenue continues to grow steadily.

Related​

PFF outlines 'dream offseason' for New York Giants​

Giants pass on QB, add dynamic star in latest Daniel Jeremiah mock draft​

2025 NFL draft: Trading up to No. 1 would be costly for Giants​

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Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/202...ike-music-to-ears-new-york-giants-joe-schoen/

 

[New York Giants]

Ex-Giant Jon Feliciano announces retirement from football

Former New York Giants center Jon Feliciano announced on Thursday that he is retiring from the game of football.

At the same time, Feliciano, 33, also hinted he could come back should a contending team warrant his services during a playoff run next season.

pic.twitter.com/QO1Q8ZmIzD

— Jonathan Feliciano (@MongoFeliciano) February 20, 2025

The Long Island native played in 113 games with 61 starts after being selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft out of Miami.

Feliciano played four seasons with the Raiders before moving on to Buffalo for three years. He then joined the Giants for the 2022 season before ending his career with the San Francisco 49ers.

Feliciano had this to say about his time with the Giants:

“I always wanted to play in New York (I know it’s in New Jersey, but it’s right there; relax). The year I got to spend there was incredible,” he wrote. “Helping the Giants win a postseason game in Minnesota was definitely my favorite moment of that year. I get to rub it in my wife’s family’s faces for the rest of my life. And if you know me, you know I love talking (expletive).”

Feliciano, who did not play a single down in 2024 for the Niners after undergoing knee surgery, said he might answer a call this December to help a team during a playoff run. He mentioned the 49ers and Bills.

Maybe that team could end up being the Giants?

Related​

Shedeur Sanders is Giants' most-picked prospect in PFF's mock simulator​

2 Giants named to PFF's top 101 players from the 2024 NFL season​

2025 NFL draft: Comparing Giants results on multiple mock simulators​

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/202...feliciano-announces-retirement-from-football/