New York Giants
Projected Cap Space: $38.7 million
Draft Picks: 8
- 1st (No. 3)
- 2nd (No. 34)
- 3rd (No. 65)
- 4th (No. 104)
- 4th (No. 134, comp)
- 5th (No. 155, SEA)
- 7th (No. 221)
- 7th (No. 248, BUF)
Notable Free Agents:
- WR Darius Slayton
- OLB Azeez Ojulari
- CB Adoree’ Jackson
- S Jason Pinnock
- QB Drew Lock
- LB Isaiah Simmons
- G Greg Van Roten
- TE Chris Manhertz
- QB Tim Boyle
- P Jamie Gillan
- LS Casey Kreiter
Top Three Needs
1 – Quarterback
The Giants finally cut ties with QB Daniel Jones this past season, and now they need to find their next starter. Expect the Giants to add multiple quarterbacks since not only is Jones gone, but Lock is a pending free agent as well and probably isn’t interested in coming back to a team that benched him with no warning for Tommy DeVito. As an aside, DeVito is currently the only QB set to be under contract for New York in 2025.
2 – Defensive Tackle
Honestly, it was tough to narrow down the other top two needs for the Giants after quarterback. The only positions New York should feel solid about going into 2025 are edge rusher, left tackle and maybe running back. Every other position group could use a boost, even if there’s already an established player.
For instance, even though the Giants have one of the best defensive tackles in football in Dexter Lawrence — who turned in another dominant pass-rushing season with nine sacks in 12 games before an injury shut him down — the rest of the defensive line around him isn’t in great shape. There was a heavy rotation between Rakeem Nunez-Roches, D.J. Davidson, Jordon Riley and Elijah Chatman. “Nacho” Roches is a 10-year journeyman, while the rest were Day 3 picks or undrafted free agents.
The lack of investment outside of Lawrence showed in the results. The Giants were 27th in the NFL in rush defense, allowing over 2,300 yards on the ground. No one outside of Lawrence was much of a factor as a pass rusher either, and while the team was top-ten in sacks, they were right in the middle in pressure rate. Upgrading the defensive line would have a trickle-down impact on the rest of the defense, making it easier for the secondary and linebackers to do their jobs, which is why the Giants should make investing in the trenches a priority.
3 – Cornerback
The Giants were active last offseason but one position they weren’t able to address effectively was cornerback. Former first-round CB Deonte Banks struggled once again, and the spot across from him was a revolving door that was even worse. While the Giants were a top-ten pass defense in terms of yards allowed, they were 25th in net yards per attempt, which is a much more accurate depiction of their quality in the secondary. As noted above, teams could just run on the Giants and didn’t have to pass.
If there’s a bright side, it’s that 2024 third-round CB Andru Phillips looks like a starting-caliber nickel corner. New York will keep the light on for Banks and a couple other younger players to take a step forward under new DB coach Marquand Manuel but will likely be aggressive in trying to add a veteran starter across from Banks and replenishing the position in the draft.
One Big Question
Can the Giants find a quarterback to save GM Joe Schoen and HC Brian Daboll?
Quarterback will dominate the offseason conversation for the Giants with good reason. It’s a huge need for the team and the most impactful position in the sport, and New York only has to look at the division-rival Commanders with QB Jayden Daniels for an example of how finding the right player at that position can have a transformational impact.
But the Giants need more than just a quarterback. They need help up front and on the back end, as described above. The offensive line outside of LT Andrew Thomas is still a collection of average to below-average starters, and the depth is an issue. New York has some interesting skill players on rookie contracts, including 2024 first-round WR Malik Nabers, fourth-round TE Theo Johnson and fifth-round RB Tyrone Tracy, as well as WR Wan’Dale Robinson. But Nabers is the only truly established player in that bunch who scares opposing defenses. There’s room to improve, particularly if the plan is to draft a rookie quarterback.
That leads to the next major question facing the Giants; after a stay of execution from owner John Mara to give Schoen and Daboll another season at the wheel, what needs to happen for them to keep their jobs in 2026? How many games do they need to win — and is that number realistic with a rookie starter?
Schoen and Daboll have had three years to work on rebuilding the Giants and their win total has gone down by three each season, from nine to six to three. Mara admitted he kept them not because of any specific belief in their plan or body of work but because he erred previously by not being patient enough with his previous hires. There is a lot of pressure on the Giants and a new quarterback, rookie or veteran, is going to be stepping into a fraught environment.
Crazy stuff happens in the NFL — again, just look at the Commanders — but at this point it’s hard to feel optimistic about where the Giants seem to be headed as a franchise.
The post 2025 NFL Offseason Primer: New York Giants appeared first on NFLTradeRumors.co.