Giants, Leonard Williams Not Close On Deal

Five-plus months after making a surprising trade for contract-year defensive lineman Leonard Williams, the Giants still have some work to do to re-sign him. The sides are not close on an extension, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

The former top-10 pick is expected to have a strong market in free agency, and Rapoport adds that the franchise tag remains a possibility. The Giants stand to hold more than $70MM in cap space but have many needs.

Dave Gettleman said earlier this year that Williams wanted to re-sign with the Giants. Williams, however, said he would not do so without a top-tier deal. The Giants traded for Williams just before the deadline. If the Giants extend Williams before free agency opens, they owe the Jets third- and fourth-round picks. If no extension occurs in that time, the compensation drops to third- and fifth-round selections.

The prospect of a Williams re-up with the Giants may stand at 50-50, Josina Anderson of ESPN.com tweets. Big Blue has been linked to Jadeveon Clowney in free agency while also not being prepared to give him a top-market deal. Given that the Giants’ present strength on defense resides up front — where Dexter Lawrence and Dalvin Tomlinson are under contract — it would be interesting to see them hand Williams a major extension and pass on Clowney, who has the Giants on his short list. With B.J. Hill also in the fold, it can be argued the Giants should pass on a long-term Williams deal and devote money to other needs.

Nevertheless, the Giants want to retain Williams. This makes sense given that they dealt a third-rounder and change for him despite not being a contending team last season. Williams recorded career-low numbers in sacks (0.5) and quarterback hits (11) last season and has not delivered on the promise he carried into the 2015 draft, when the Jets selected him at No. 5 overall. Williams, however, is just 25 and has a Pro Bowl on his resume. He also registered a career-high 25 QB hits in 2017 and, lack of sacks notwithstanding, has graded fairly well in the view of Pro Football Focus throughout his career.

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