Could they be Giants? Potential free agents to watch on Wild Card Weekend

The Giants need to upgrade their roster, and some of the guys playing this weekend might help

The New York Giants will enjoy Wild Card Weekend from their couches as 12 NFL teams battle for the right to advance in the NFL playoffs. Here are the six games over Wild Card weekend:

Due to the horrific fires in Los Angeles, the NFL has moved Monday’s Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams game to State Farm Stadium, the home of the Arizona Cardinals.

There are more than 100 pending free agents across these 12 teams. The Giants Pro Scouting Department — led by Chris Rossetti — will keep their eyes open for potential future Giants. Joe Schoen, Brian Daboll, and Shane Bowen are all still on staff, giving us an idea of scheme and player familiarity. Bowen’s presence in 2025 is not sure, but the Giants would likely move soon if they decide to make a change.

Here are 10 (actually 11) free agents the Giants should pay attention to this weekend.

Sam Darnold, QB

It’s no secret — the Giants desperately need quarterback help. Schoen will likely take several kicks at the can this offseason, and Darnold is likely on that list if Minnesota decides to let him walk. Kevin O’Connell has a quarterback room that consists of Darnold, Daniel Jones, Nick Mullens, and rookie first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. Minnesota went 14-3 with Darnold, making the situation tricky.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah may use the franchise tag on Darnold, which was $38 million in 2024. That’s a lot of money with the possible franchise future waiting in the wings. Still, Darnold may find his way to the open market and earn a massive contract. Spotrac.com has Darnold’s average annual salary at $54.7 million — wow!

The Giants will have to add multiple quarterbacks this offseason, with Tommy DeVito the only one under contract. I’m open to Darnold, but the price tag may be too much for the Giants. Either way, his performance when the lights are brightest is something of intrigue, especially after his struggles last week in Detroit.

Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, QBs

We may not see Fields against the Ravens, but I will pay close attention to the 36-year-old Wilson as a potential stopgap. As I wrote earlier this week, I am interested in Fields as a possible second or third option, depending on Schoen’s aggression with the quarterback room.

Wilson started in Week 7 and continued through the season, finishing with 16 touchdown passes and five interceptions, 2,482 passing yards, yards per attempt of 7.4, and a Big Time Throw Rate of 5.7%. I’m hoping for a completely revamped quarterback room. Either of these options could fill a role and start if necessary, but neither should be the only option added.

Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, edge

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Tryon-Shoyinka with the last pick in the first round of the 2021 draft. He’s played well throughout his career but is set to be a free agent. The long 6-foot-5, 260-pound Tryon-Shoyinka has just 22 pressures in 2024 — his worst season. Still, the 25-year-old has 133 total pressures and 15 sacks in his career. Young edge defenders with potential — who will not break the bank — should be heavily considered as the Giants attempt to plug holes throughout their roster. I also wouldn’t be opposed to savvy veterans with leadership qualities.

Anthony Nelson, edge

Did I say savvy veterans? Nelson is a 6-7, 271-pound motor monster who is relentless, long, and competent against the run and the pass; Nelson isn’t necessarily dynamic at either but is functional at both. Nelson has 113 pressures and 15 sacks in his career. His body type would be different than anything the Giants currently possess.

Pat Jones II, edge

The Giants could use more depth behind Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. The potential departure of Azeez Ojuarli in free agency will leave a hole that a player like Jones II could fill. Jones was a third-round pick in 2021 after a productive college career at Pitt. He spent his first contract in Minnesota, playing for Brian Flores and Mike Zimmer. He has experience with Giants’ defensive line coach, Dre Patterson.

Jones II has 73 pressures through four seasons, but almost all of them were earned over the last two years. The additions of Jonathan Greenard and first-round pick Dallas Turner — as well as the presence of Andrew Van Ginkel — placed Jones II in a reserve role. The 26-year-old could have more to offer in an expanded role while having a low floor as an upgrade over the edge depth the Giants currently possess.

Milton Williams, iDL

The 6-3, 290-pound, 25-year-old blew up the Combine in 2021 and is an explosive rotational piece for the Philadelphia Eagles. Williams had 40 pressures and 5.5 sacks this season and is primed to earn a contract that may be outside of the Giants’ reach. He’s played around 500 snaps in each season and would be able to kick inside to 3-technique or play 5-technique/edge if necessary, a la Denico Autry under Bowen in Tennessee. Williams’ best football is ahead of him, and his tools are rare.

Teair Tart, iDL

The 27-year-old has struggled to find the football field consistently, but he’s helped stabilize the defensive line rotation for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024. Tart has 16 pressures and 14 STOPs in just under 350 total snaps this season. He spent his first three-and-a-half seasons with Bowen and the Tennessee Titans after he went undrafted in 2020 out of FIU. Like the quarterback position, the Giants need depth at interior defensive line, and Tart could be an option for the Giants.

Greg Gaines, iDL

I was Gaines’ Senior Bowl position leader as an intern in 2019 before he was selected in the fourth round by the Rams. He was a quality asset with the Rams but just had a down season in Tampa Bay. Still, the 6-1, 315-pound defensive tackle plays with excellent leverage and is craftier than he looks with his hands. He had 46 pressures in 2021 with the Rams when he benefitted from Aaron Donald’s presence, but Gaines only has 96 total pressures throughout his career. If added, Gaines would push players like D.J. Davidson for snaps; Gaines has more to offer and could potentially recapture his magic from 2021 with Dexter Lawrence next to him.

Kristian Fulton, CB

I wanted the Giants to pursue Fulton this past offseason, but he signed a one-year, $3.1 deal with the Chargers after playing in Bowen’s system for four seasons. He’s played well for the Chargers, earning five passes defended and one interception with a 66% completion rate against on the outside. Fulton does tend to get too grabby — he has 26 penalties throughout his career. However, he has man/zone versatility and is just 26 years old; he’s a potential option that Jerome Henderson can coach up.

Benjamin St. Juste, CB

I was always a fan of St. Juste’s game, not necessarily because he’s a shutdown cornerback, but because he’s a controlled athlete with elite size and length. St. Juste is still 27 years old and has 29 passes defended through his career, although he’s only secured one interception. He’s played in multiple schemes and operated as the Commanders’ top cornerback until they recently traded for Marshon Lattimore. There are much worse options to pursue, and St. Juste would provide the secondary with a competent veteran who can play either zone or man coverage.