Articles

By Michael Stewart/@golferbad

Introduction: Now that the dust has cleared, the New York Giants have completed their free agent signing focusing more on the defensive side of the ball. Barring any other major moves, it appears the Giants GM Dave Gettleman will now fill out the remaining roster with players that will be less expensive, but will add depth. Below I will give a brief bio of each player and a final grade.

  • James Bradberry (CB) 3 years/$45M ($15M per-$32M guaranteed): Bradberry gives the Giants the experience and production from the corner position that was lacking in 2019. Bradberry’s career completion % against him is 53.1% as he usually lines up against the best wide receivers. Bradberry has good instincts; which has lead to interceptions and his presence will give D’Andre Baker an opportunity to grow without being the #1 corner. Grade: A
  • Blake Martinez (ILB) 3 years/$30M ($10M per): Martinez is a solid 2 down ILB who will excel against the run as he has the most tackles over the past 3 seasons with 446. Martinez is extremely durable, missing only 3 games over his 4 year career. Martinez downside is his inability to be an effective ILB in pass coverage, so new DC Patrick Graham will need to be creative in his defensive packages. Grade B
  • Leonard Williams (DT/DE) 1 year/$16.1 (Franchise Tagged): GM Dave Gettleman took a tough stand and was firm with Williams by placing the franchise tag on him. Williams lack sacking the quarterback in terms of the numbers; which is why he didn’t receive a multi-year contract. However; Williams value lies in this ability to stop the run and occupy double teams throughout the game most of the time. Grade B-
  • David Mayo (ILB) 3 years/$8.4M ($2.6M per): Mayo is an excellent job for the Giants and with the signing of Martinez, will battle Ryan Connelly for the other starting ILB position in 2020. Regardless; the Giants now have better talent and depth at the ILB position and they could still draft an ILB or perhaps like last season’s UDFA Josiah Tauaefa better to pass on one in the draft. Grade C+
  • Aldrick Rosas (K) 1 year/$3.3M (2ndround tender): Rosas had a disappointing season in 2019; which was the complete opposite of his 2018 season where he was selected to the Pro Bowl. The Giants are banking on a rebound and if another team is also willing to take a flyer on Rosas and the lose him; they will receive a 2nd round pick in the 2020 draft. In all likelihood, Rosas will remain a Giants; at least for 2020 where must show more consistency. Grade C+
  • Levine Toilolo (TE) 2 year/$6.2M ($3.1M per): Toilolo is massive at 6’8/270 and he uses every bit of his size as a blocker primary. Toilolo is more of a possession receiver that can move the change on occasion; very similar to recently retired TE Rhett Ellison to a smaller scale. The Giants now have Engram, Smith, Toilolo and Conrad on the roster, so it’s unclear if the Giants will still draft a TE on Day 3 in the draft. Grade C
  • Kyler Fackrell (OLB/Edge) 1 year/$4.6M: Fackrell could be this year’s version of Markus Golden as he posted 10.5 sacks in 2018. Grade C
  • Cody Core (WR) 2 years/$4.7M: Core was one of the best special teams player for the Giants and the consensus is that new OC Jason Garrett wants to get him more snaps at the WR position. Grade C
  • Cam Fleming (RT) 1 year/$4M: Fleming is expected to compete for the RT position along with Nick Gates (who could also compete at center) and whoever the Giants plan on drafting. Fleming was graded (PFF) near the bottom half among RT in 2019 and should be used more of a swing tackle adding depth at both tackle positions. Grade C

Overall Final Grade: B

  •  Final Thoughts: GM Dave Gettleman didn’t go after the flashy names of free agents on the market and instead focused on players who provided solid production at an affordable price. Gettleman has roughly $10M remaining in cap space and he will need every penny to sign his 2020 draft picks and UDFA signees as well. Gettleman could still trim the roster for additional cap space by releasing/trade center Spencer Pulley who has a $2.75 salary for 2020 and $0 dead money attached. If so, this would most likely prompt Gettleman to draft a center within the first 2 days of the draft and more than likely re-sign Jon Halapio.