The New York Giants ran into salary cap issues when the NFL free agent began in 2022. Joe Sean and Brian Daball signed two seasoned offensive linemen (after adding Matt Gono ahead of the free agent), former Texans quarterback Tyrode Taylor and tight end Ricky Seals-Jones.
Both linemen, former Colt Mark Glowinski and former Bill John Feliciano, worked with Giants offensive line coach Bobby Johnson. I appreciate how Shawn handles the offensive line inexpensively while providing flexibility for the Giants so they don’t put themselves off in the draft.
New York still has to deal with the offensive line, but must not miss out on the best value on the board due to pressure priority; instead, they can wait and choose the value in position as they see fit. Glowinski is a reliable starter, while Feliciano can be an adequate center who knows offense, demands defense and is functional.
The giants are not made in free will. There are still many holes in the roster, and New York could still add veteran players – on cheap deals – to help complete the roster. Here are a few available free agent options that are still available.
Boston Scott, RB
I’m serious. Scott is such a giant killer that if you can’t stop him, add him. He is of a solid build, runs very hard and has shown results when given the opportunity. Scott caught 66 of his 76 career targets for 523 yards and scored.
Last season, he averaged 4.6 yards per carry (a career average of 4.5 YPCs) for 407 yards and eight touchdowns. He has 1,051 yards and 14 touchdowns in his career. His lone fumble last season resulted in a loss to the Giants in Week 12 after he scored a touchdown and rushed for 64 yards.
With the departure of Devonte Booker, the Giants could use a veteran running back with a three-fall skill set. They will need said RB if star runner Sakwon Barkley is traded before the start of the season. The contract value should be low, but the 26-year-old makes sense.
Blake Bell, TE
The addition of Ricky Seals-Jones shouldn’t stop the Giants from chasing another veteran tight end. Evan Engram left New York for Jacksonville, Caden Smith was ruled out with an injury, and Kyle Rudolph was released. New York has a big need for a tight end, despite the possibility that the team will use a second-day pick in this position.
Bell spent two seasons with Mike Kafka in Kansas City – in 2019 and 2021. He is a reliable general blocker used in their 12-man pack. In 2021, he caught 10 of 12 targets at 90 yards. He has one career touchdown.
Sheldon Richardson, DL
Richardson was in my first article about it and he’s still a free agent. His relationship and the mutual respect he shares with current Giants defensive line coach Andre Patterson makes this an interesting signing.
Richardson could end up costing too much money. He finishes the season with 37 pressings and four sacks, and in 2020 with Cleveland he had 51 pressings and six sacks. He has baggage in the past, but he plays good football.
The Giants lost to Austin Johnson’s Chargers in free agency. They need a third line of defense behind Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence. Richardson’s fit, familiarity and production suggest he would be an option at the right price.
Justin Houston, EDGE
I excluded Houston from the list in my original article because I wasn’t sure how much money he would get. I’m still not entirely sure.
However, he was productive in Baltimore last season for Martindale. He had 34 pressures, 4.5 sacks, six tackles for loss and played 645 snaps. Last year, he was primarily aiming for Baltimore, and he could fill the same role, wooing young talent from Aziz Aujualry, Queenie Roche, and whoever the Giants choose at EDGE.
2021 Ravens linebackers
Josh Bynes, LJ Fort, Chris Board
I still think the Giants should go after one of Martindale’s former linebackers, Josh Bynes, LJ Fort, or Chris Board. All three know the system; Bynes had 58 tackles, 35 STOPS, six presses, two sacks and three passes defended. He allowed 24 catches on 32 targets for 226 yards. Bynes is an adequate all-round defender who could start. The 32-year-old is 6’1″ and weighs 235 pounds and is a cheap familiar option for the coaching staff.
Fort is also a 32-year-old quarterback but has spent the last two seasons in the Martindale system. He will become a quality rotational linebacker if he is healthy after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament at the end of training camp last season.
Chris Board is only 26 and played 337 snaps last season. He’s rawer than the two veterans, but could be a reliable and cheap option in the linebacker rotation.
Donte Jackson, CB
The former Carolina Panthers quarterback had his first contract with the team. He was drafted by Carolina in the second round in 2018 and has shined in his young career. However, at 26, Jackson has a positive side to him.
He has always been athletic and agile enough to play with men. Throughout his career, he has shown really good representatives of reporting on men. The price for Jackson may be too high, but if he’s interested in a one-year deal, the Giants will improve their scheme with him as a third or fourth cornerman.
Jaron Kears, S
Kears is still available as a free agent, and the Giants’ need for safety has increased with the release of veteran Logan Ryan. Kiers is 6ft 4in, weighs 215lbs and would excel in Big-Nickel and Dime packages as a narrow end plating specialist.
Like most free agents, the Giants couldn’t afford him; PFF projects a salary of around $5 million a year, which could be worth the Giants. Either way, Kearse would be a fun addition and an impressive presence in the Martindale plan.
DeSean Elliott, S.
Martindale’s reunion with Elliott could benefit both parties. Elliott is 6ft 1in, 210lbs and was drafted by the Ravens at the end of the round in 2018.
Last season against the Vikings, he tore his biceps and pecs, an injury that reduced his value. He could be an inexpensive and familiar replacement for Ryan. He’s not the same player anymore, but at 24 he’s still turning pro.