The New York Giants didn’t completely blow up their roster this offseason, but they recognized that trying to run it back with a group that made the playoffs in 2022 wasn’t going to work.
New York tried that approach last season and finished with a 6-11 record. Since the spring, the Giants have focused on reloading their offensive line, adding potential difference-makers on defense and improving one of the league’s worth receiving corps.
Additions like Jon Runyan, Jermaine Eluemunor, Brian Burns, Malik Nabers and Tyler Nubin should make the Giants better in 2024. The roster is probably still a few pieces away from being playoff-caliber, though. New York has just $10.3 million in cap space remaining, but there’s still time to make a few moves.
Here, we’ll dive into three free agents the Giants must consider before training camp opens (for rookies) on July 16.
The Giants lost a key piece of their offense when Saquon Barkley signed with the rival Eagles in free agency. They added Devin Singletary and rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. this offseason, but their backfield depth is still quite questionable.
Unfortunately, New York isn’t going to find a “sure-thing” starter lingering on the free agent market. There was a run at the position early in free agency, and the player pool has drained considerably.
The Giants might be able to get a steal, however, if they take a chance on four-time Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook. The 28-year-old struggled to see the field with the New York Jets last season, but he’s still just two years removed from a season with 1,468 scrimmage yards.
Cook is eager to reestablish himself as a top back.
“I can still cut and still take (the ball) 80 (yards) when it’s time. I just got to get out there and show all these people that Dalvin is still Dalvin,” he told NFL Network’s The Insiders in May.
Cook should be open to a low-risk “prove-it” contract, and New York’s potential reward could be massive. However, it would be wise to get him into the building ahead of camp so that he can be fully integrated into the offense. Cook joined the Jets in mid-August last offseason, which may have been part of the issue.
The Giants aren’t likely to get cornerback Patrick Peterson on the sort of low-budget flier contract that might entice Cook or Thomas. Peterson is an eight-time Pro Bowler who played on a $7 million salary with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season.
Still, if the Giants can land the 33-year-old, they should. Peterson isn’t the top-tier cover corner he once was, but he’s still a dependable starter who appeared in all 17 games in 2023.
New York, meanwhile, had its fair share of coverage issues last season. The team finished 24th in net yards per pass attempt allowed and still has little proven depth behind 2023 first-round pick Deonte Banks.
In a division that now features quarterbacks Jalen Hurts, Dak Prescott and Jayden Daniels, that’s a problem.
Peterson’s special-teams experience could also benefit the Giants, given the league’s revised kickoff rules for 2024. While he hasn’t been a returner since 2018 and has far more experience returning punts than kickoffs, Peterson could give New York another option in the return game.
While Peterson isn’t the only quality corner available—Xavien Howard and Stephon Gilmore headline the remaining market—he’s arguably the best option that might still fit within New York’s price range.
