Free Agency Review

    Welcome to the Big Blue Spotlight free agency review for the first part of free agency of the NFL offseason. This may be one of multiple entries if the Giants make any more splashes but for now, this is the only one. Alright, enough wasting time, let's start off with the free agency losses.

    Let's start with the biggest loss of the offseason for the Giants, Saquon Barkley. Barkley was most likely never going to come back to the Giants but there was still hope for Giants fans. However, the Texans and Eagles were hot in pursuit of Barkley and he ended up choosing a big payday with the Eagles. The contract was 3 years for 37.75 million with the potential to make up to 46.75 million, meaning he could have an average value of 17 million a year. Barkley's departure opens a wide hole in the Giants offense it hasn't had in years, no star player. This offense now doesn't have the running back they could always depend on and there is no other star player on the offense. Hopefully, they can find a way to fill the gap. 

    

    Along with Saquon Barkley leaving, star safety Xavier Mckinney also left, but I won't spend more time on him due to last week's safety overview. Smaller losses were IOL Ben Bredeson who had a solid year for the men in blue, WR Parris Campbell going to the Eagles, OT Matt Peart going to the Broncos, IDL A'Shawn Robinson leaving for the Panthers, QB Tyrod Taylor heading to the Jets, and OLB Jihad Ward making his way to the Vikings. 

    So far the Giants have lost a plethora of players, but they have gained a lot as well.

    If you want to talk about big moves, this is one of them. The New York Giants traded a 2nd round pick from this year and a 2025 fifth-round pick, as well as swapping 2024 picks with the Carolina Panthers for stud pass rusher Brian Burns. The Giants extended Burns to a 5-year deal worth up to 141 million dollars. In 2023 Burns garnered 8 sacks and the year prior had a career-high with 12. Burns will now join a Giants D-line that includes two-time all-pro second-team defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, and rising pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux. These three will all play together for the next 4 years almost guaranteed, and are sure to be the Giant's next great defensive line.

    I personally really like this move by the Giants. This defensive line has struggled to get to the quarterback, and Burns adds another force for opposing offensive lines to focus on. With Burns lining up next to Lawrence and Thibodeaux, they should all have the opportunity to work past offensive lines and garner more sacks. It will be fun to watch this upcoming season.    Moving on to some less flashy deals we have the offensive guard Jon Runyan Jr, son of Eagles legend Jon Runyan. Runyan brings the Giants much-needed offensive line help as the unit has struggled the past few years. It's no secret this offensive line is bad outside of star left tackle Andrew Thomas, and Runyan will provide some stability to the unit.

    Next up is offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, who will reunite with his former O-line coach from the Raiders Carmen Bricillo. Eluemunor isn't a stud offensive tackle by any means but he is a great depth piece for a struggling line. He has a chance to take the starting right tackle spot from struggling third-year tackle Evan Neal, but we shall see.

    To fill the gap left by Saquon Barkley, the Giants signed free agent running back Devin Singletary to reunite him with his former coach Brian Daboll from his days in Buffalo. Devin Singletary almost had 1000 yards rushing last year despite not being the starting back until the middle of the year. He isn't a superstar like Christian McCaffrey or a star like Josh Jacobs but he gets the job done. Just take a look at some of the best runs of his career, he may not be a superstar but he sure does get the job done. Credit to ATG MVP Sports Highlights for the video.

    Moving on to the last few minor signings that are more depth pieces than anything, for the defense there is veteran DB Jalen Mills, coming off his 8th year in the league after a stint with the Patriots. More of a veteran presence for the Giants secondary.

    

    Then for the offense, there is quarterback Drew Lock, taken in the same draft as current Giants QB Daniel Jones. Lock was signed most likely in a backup role for when Daniel Jones returns, or he might be fighting for the starting job, who knows. Another skill position signing is former Bills WR Isaiah McKenzie who is also signed as a depth WR to sit behind Wandale Robinson in the slot. Then we have tight ends Jack Stoll and Chris Manhertz who seem to be signings to beef up the Giants run packages with quality blockers.

    The biggest group of them all to get a lot of signings is the offensive line. There is offensive tackle Aaron Stinnie coming off an okay season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and then another offensive tackle with Detroits Matt Nelson. Finally, there is the flexible Austin Schlottman who has played both guard positions and center throughout his time in the league. All three of these guys are depth pieces as well as competition for the starters in training camp. 

    As far as returning players are concerned, the Giants brought back long-snapper Casey Kreiter and return specialist Gunner Olszewski. They also resigned linebackers Carter Coughlin and Benton Whitley, both special teamers. CB Darnay Holmes was resigned to a one-year deal, and finally, WR Isaiah Hodgins was brought back once again. 

    That just about covers all of the current free agency moves by the Giants and any other ones that happen leading up to the draft will be mentioned in future posts. Come back next time to take a look at the Giants defensive linemen.