The Giants are in dire need of a top-flight pass rusher, but we’ve been hearing for weeks that no such players — with the possible exception of Jadeveon Clowney — are likely to hit the open market. The Giants are reportedly interested in Clowney, and Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv believes the club will make a run at him, but they will be facing stiff competition for his services.
Though Big Blue has upwards of $70MM in cap space, Vacchiano says the team is not going to break the bank for a second-tier option like Kyle Van Noy or Dante Fowler. And with Ohio State standout Chase Young almost certain to be off the board by the time the Giants are on the clock with the No. 4 overall selection in this year’s draft, adding an immediate-impact edge rusher from the college ranks will also be difficult.
GM Dave Gettleman recently noted that improving a club’s secondary can have a trickle-down effect on its pass rush, and sources expect Gettleman to prioritize cornerbacks in free agency, per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. The Cowboys’ Byron Jones and the Broncos’ Chris Harris are the two top CBs on the market, and Dunleavy believes New York will at least make a pitch to Jones. We recently heard that the Panthers’ James Bradberry‘s price tag may be too rich for the Giants, though Bradberry is not as accomplished as Harris or Jones.
But even if the Giants land a coveted defender or two in free agency, they could still make defense a priority in the draft. They have been linked to Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah, and league sources are telling Matt Miller of Bleacher Report that the club is likely to take Clemson defender Isaiah Simmons. Simmons is listed as a linebacker, but his versatility — which includes plenty of pass rush ability — is perhaps his best asset.
If the Giants don’t love their options with the No. 4 pick, they could trade back and perhaps land one of this year’s top left tackle prospects. But Gettleman has never traded down in his seven drafts as GM, and Vacchiano writes in a separate piece that Gettleman will not drop down too far, if he drops down at all. The Giants could be a trade partner for a club looking for a QB, but those teams aren’t picking too far behind New York, so Gettleman will still be able to land an elite player if he chooses to sell the No. 4 selection.
Giants smh… you break the bank on the team surrounding a young QB. That is the only time you can. Sure wait till you pay him 40M a year and try to win.
The team is rebuilding. It took a lot to get out of the cap mess they were in so they are not going all out in FA. Should build through the draft. I would def consider trading back to acquire more draft picks.
Their GM has it backwards tho.
Improving your pass rush helps the coverage, not so plainly vice-versa
Give me KVN over Clowney, stats for KVN are better anyways.
Stats don’t show the true affect a player has on a play. Clowney was so disruptive in the backfield he made others around him better.
I doubt NY has a shot unless they way over pay. He would not agree to a trade unless it was to a winner. I doubt that has changed much. Money talks though. If Seattle is in the ballpark he stays. His friends told him to come here and I am sure they want him to stay.
G-men have had such great success signing former Patriot castoffs ie. Nate Solder
Jonathan casilas helped them win a super bowl, Shane Vereen was productive as a giant…funny how you only point out solder who a cording to ppf has been a league average tackle
Vereen was a bust and always hurt with the giants. As for Solder there is a reason when Belichick doesn’t bring back players. He gets more out of them and to fit his system.
Haha I was gonna say didnt they give Vareen a pretty big contract only to have him be a huge bust
And the net wasn’t cast wide enough.. could say guys who switch teams dont pan out.. usually theres a reason their former team isnt willing to pay up to keep them.. then factor in scheme change and NFL free agency is half as important as the draft
G Men should trade out of the pick. We have too many needs, I also don’t want to give Clowney huge bucks, hurt all the time and takes a lot of plays off. Rather build through draft and get a few mid tier free agents. Should also sign a back up qb not tanney.
Might be worthwhile to trade back and take an o-lineman since there doesnt seem to be one rated top-10 pick this year
Agreed they need help all over
Don’t think that any of the O-lineman are deserving or being picked at #4….I think only 1 of the guys usually mentioned have even played on the left side…..the $money at #4 is way too big to spend there given the draft talent available as well as the expectations that go along with it…..see Flowers for perspective there….how did that work for the Giants…..trade down…
Totally agree with respect to Clowney….all this “he makes the other players around him better” stuff…well you can stuff that…..and he is known for taking plays off….we don’t have the talent to even think about that approach on defense…better to spend the free agent bucks on “solid, middle tier type players while building through the draft….trade down and acquire more early round picks that can improve the overall team.
I guess you are right if you don’t have players around you good enough to make better then that doesn’t work. Clowney did good things in Seattle and most fans would be happy to have him back. Every team has a few fans that don’t understand you might not have the sacks but if two to three guys are blocking you it frees up other guys. Or if the TE is chipping you it takes longer to get in his route or get to the LBer. It is OK there are a lot of videos that teach the basics on YouTube.
Sadly the NY Giants need more than just Clowney. Trade down in the draft pick up more assets.