New York Giants 2023 Free Agency Updates and Takeaways

Keep checking this page for instant reactions, reports, videos and more as the NFL free agency period gets underway.

Author:
Patricia Traina
Updated:
Mar 28, 2023 9:49 AM EDT
Original:
Mar 23, 2023

In this story:

The New York Giants are set to be much more active in free agency this year than last. And we'll do our best to keep you updated on all the latest rumors, comings, and goings, so be sure to keep checking this page for quick thoughts and links to videos and more.

== LAST UPDATED: March 28, 9:45 AM ET ==

Updated Some Salary Cap Numbers

Reported Interest

WR Bryan Edwards (Falcons). The Giants hosted receiver Bryan Edwards, a third-round pick by the Raiders in 2020. Edwards spent two seasons with Las Vegas before moving to Atlanta for one year (2022). Edwards, who played his college ball at South Carolina, appeared in 35 games with 16 starts and has caught 48 of 79 pass targets for 779 yards and four touchdowns. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder is primarily an outside receiver but has had some experience in the slot.

IOL J.C. Hassenauer (Steelers). The center-needy Giants are hosting center J.C. Hassenauer on a free-agent visit, per ESPN. Hassenauer, 27 years old, appeared in 45 games with seven starts for the Steelers, who signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Alabama three years ago.

Per Pro Football Focus, the 6-foot-2, 295-pound Hassenauer has played 147 career snaps at left guard and 545 at center.

DB Kris Boyd. The Giants are also hosting defensible back/special teamer Kris Boyd this week. A seventh-round draft pick by the Vikings in 2019, the 5-foot-11, 195-pound Boyd, who played his college ball for Texas, is being viewed for his special teams ability, which he's spent the first two years of his career doing for the Vikings.

Boyd has played on all the special teams unit, the breakdown being 209 on kickoff returns, 286 on kickoff coverage, 194 on punt returns, 201 on punt coverage (as a gunner), and 239 on field goal block. Boyd has experience as a punt gunner.

DL A'Shawn Robinson (Rams). NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports that Robinson will visit the Giants on Monday. Robinson, a seven-year veteran, has mainly lined up as a 5-technique for the Rams, even though he hasn't produced much as a pass rusher.

He's appeared in 93 games with 61 starts and has recorded 293 tackles, including 20 tackles for loss. Robinson has 20 quarterback hits and seven sacks in his career.

Last season, the 28-year-old appeared in ten games and recorded 42 tackles, two tackles for loss, no sacks, three quarterback hits, and five total pressures. He missed seven games to a knee injury.

The Giants, as of Tuesday, March 21, only had $779,048 of effective cap space to add to their top-51 salaries.

WR Odell Beckham Jr. The Giants met with their 2014 first-round pick late last year and were also present at his workout over the weekend. Beckham is coming off his second ACL injury, so it was important for the team to see if he still has the explosiveness that made him so special. However, if reports of Beckham seeking $20 million per season are accurate, that might knock the Giants out of the picture, as the team is not just a single receiver away. [STORY]

Who's Coming

Bobby McCain, 1 year, $1.3 million, $625,00 guaranteed. (Veteran Minimum). Cap Hit: $1.1 million. Giants general manager Joe Schoen spoke of there being veteran safeties available should the team lose Julian Love. With Love having departed for Seattle, the team went out and plucked Bobby McCain from the Commanders to fill that veteran role. McCain, for his part, is looking to start for the Giants this yea,r alongside Xawvier McKinney. [STORY]

CB Amani Oruwariye, 1 year. Oruwariye is something of a reclamation project, a player with good size, length, and physicality who lost his starting job with the Lions defense last year and his confidence.

Now getting a fresh start with the Giants, Oruwariye hopes to regain his promising form from two seasons ago. As for the Giants, who haven't had much luck to date with former Lions players (Kenny Golladay and Jarrad Davis), if the third time can be a charm for them, they will have upgraded their defensive backfield. [STORY]

TE Tommy Sweeney, 1 year, $1.1 million (Veteran Minimum). Cap Hit: $940,000. When we talk about sneaky team needs, one that doesn't get much mention but should be the run blocking done by the Giants tight ends last year. Outside of Daniel Bellinger, who remember missed several games due to a freak eye injury, and Lawrence Cager, not one Giants tight end finished with a run-blocking grade above 60.

Sweeney only played in 42 run-blocking snaps for the Bills, but he did finish with a respectable 61.1 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. His primary competition for a roster spot figures to be Chris Myarick. [STORY]

WR Jamison Crowder, 1 year. The Giants continue to add slot receivers to their corps. Their latest addition is veteran Jamison Crowder, who began his career with the Commanders before moving to the Jets and then, last year, with the Bills.

Crowder, 5-foot-9 and 177 pounds, was initially a fourth-round draft pick by the Commanders in 2015. He is signed to a veteran minimum deal like Sterling Shepard. With Shepard recovering from a torn ACL, one wonders if perhaps Crowder might step in and fill that veteran role if Shepard can't return from his injury. [STORY]

CB Leonard Johnson, 3 years. Johnson injured his knee while preparing for last year's NFL combine, so he is more of a bottom-of-the-depth chart-type signing, typical of what an undrafted free agent might receive (hence the length). Johnson offers great length but average speed, and is experienced in press coverage, but otherwise currently projects as a practice squad player. [STORY]

WR Parris Campbell (Colts), 1-year, $6.7 million. New York's efforts to revamp its receiver corps continued with its second signing on the second official day of free agency. Former Colts receiver Parris Campbell, a speedster out of Ohio State, can take the top off defenses and work from either the slot or the outside. The trick, though, with Campbell is for him to stay healthy. Campbell made it through his first full season last year and was very productive in a Colts offense that had a revolving door at quarterback. With the Giants, he's expected to provide some legitimate deep speed, giving the team more of a vertical threat. [STORY]

WR Jeff Smith (Jets), 1-year, $1.2 million. The Giants need to add receivers to a room with one experienced player (Isaiah Hodgins) not recovering from a season-ending injury.

Enter Jeff Smith, who spent the first four years of his NFL career with the cross-town rival Jets. Smith isn't a splashy move--he's probably a fourth or fifth receiver at best--but he does have some special teams experience, including as a gunner. And for the Giants, who need all the special teams help they can find after another disappointing showing last season (especially on the coverage teams), Smith could be a sneaky good addition. [STORY]

TE Darren Waller (Raiders, via trade). Now that the New York Giants have committed to quarterback Daniel Jones, the next step was to get him some weapons for the passing game. And considering the weak nature of the free-agent receiver class, general manager Joe Schoen decided to dip into the trade market for a big-bodied receiver who just so happens to be a tight end.

The Giants are acquiring tight end Darren Waller from the Raiders in return for the 100th overall pick in the 2023 draft, the pick New York acquired from the Chiefs in exchange for receiver Kadarius Toney.

Waller signed a four-year extension last year with the Raiders, the structure of his deal, making it essentially a one-year contract for the Giants, given the guaranteed money owed this year. The contract also has a per-game roster bonus for every game Waller, who has missed 14 games over the last two seasons, is active. [STORY]

ILB Bobby Okereke (Colts), four years, $40 million. The Giants got themselves a solid force for the middle of their defense in the form of the former Colts linebacker, who is coming off his second straight 100+ tackle season. Okereky had a monster game against the Giants in Week 17, logging 17 tackles (14 solos). Okereke is a solid linebacker with good sideline-to-sideline range. He also offers the kind of versatility that defensive coordinator Wink Martindale likes in that he's a player that can line up in the slot and at cornerback. [STORY] [ANALYSIS]

DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Bucs), 3 years, $12 million, $7.5 million guaranteed. Giants general manager Joe Schoen made no secret of the fact that the team's run defense and, in particular, their defensive line depth was high on the radar. So it was no great surprise that their first free agent signing outside of the team was an interior defensive tackle, that being Rakeem Nunez-Roches, formerly with the Bucs. The Giants are unlikely to re-sign Justin Ellis, who was supposed to provide that depth and help against the run. Nunez-Roches, who is coming off his best season statistically, will now try to fill that role. [STORY]

Who's Staying

WR Darius Slayton, 2 years, $16.5 max value. In the first surprise of the free agency period, the Giants and Darius Slayton decided they still wanted each other for another two years. Slayton, remember, was pretty much viewed as a bubble player after having his salary slashed last year and starting the season inactive. But he kept a positive attitude that didn't go unnoticed by the coaching staff, and by year's end, he was among the team's most productive receivers in its first playoff season since 2016. Slayton isn't necessarily a No. 1 receiver, but when healthy, he, like Campbell, can be a deep vertical threat capable of slicing the top off the defense. His biggest issue, though, has been ill-timed drops, something he needs to continue working to remove from his game. [STORY]

DE/OLB Jiahd Ward, 1 year. Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale once said that wherever he was, he wanted "Haddy" with him. Well, with Martindale returning to the Giants for a second season, so too will one of his favorite defenders. Ward is a low-cost veteran signing, a decent value for a guy that can play with his hand in the dirt or standing up. He was productive for the Giants last season as the team's third-pass rusher, and will likely continue as a spot-duty reliever for New York this year. [STORY]

RB Matt Breida, 1 year, $1.4 million, $500K guaranteed, and $1 million in incentives. The Giants retained a very underused yet effective part of their offense in Breida, their RB2. Breida gave the Giants quality snaps in relief of Saquon Barkley and lined up on special teams as a gunner on occasion. Breida is a solid pass protector who can also pick up the tough yards, and he doesn't have a lot of tread on his tires. [STORY]

OL Wyatt Davis, 1 year, $823,000. The Giants retained Wyatt Davis, an exclusive rights free agent whom they claimed off waivers from the Cardinals last year on December 28. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound guard made one start at right guard for the Giants, in the regular-season finale at Philadelphia. He was originally a third-round pick (No. 86 overall) of the Minnesota Vikings in 2021 out of Ohio State, where he was a two-time All-American and the 2020 recipient of the Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year.

QB Daniel Jones, 4 years, $160 million. The Giants struck a team-friendly deal with Jones that technically comes to $37.5 million annually and provides an escape hatch after two seasons. The deal can be viewed in one of two ways.

The first is that the Giants are still proceeding cautiously with the guy they think can be their franchise quarterback but who thus far has only had one good (and fully healthy) season.

The second is that the Giants kept the deal short to allow Jones to cash in again if he continues developing under Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka. [STORY] [VIDEO] [CONTRACT VIDEO]

RB Saquon Barkley, Franchise Tag - 1 year, $10.091 million. Once Jones's contract was wrapped up, the Giants wasted no time using the non-exclusive franchise tag on Barkley, who, if he plays on the tag, will be guaranteed the full amount, which is less than the $12.5 million APY the Giants proposed during the bye week. The Giants want to get Barkley signed to a longer-term deal but don't appear willing to go much higher than $13-$13.5 million annually. [STORY] [VIDEO]

WR Sterling Shepard - 1 year, $1.3 million, including $152,500 in total per-game roster bonuses. The return of Sterling Shepard, who is recovering from a torn ACL, isn't so much of a surprise given how highly Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll spoke of home and how Shepard was so involved with the team even after his injury.

What is surprising is the timing of the signing. The Giants likely would have had no competition to re-sign a player coming off his second major injury in as many seasons, who probably isn't close to being cleared to pass a physical. Thus, they could have waited to re-sign Shepard if they wanted.

That they didn't underscores how much they respect him and want to give him every opportunity to contribute to the team in 2023. Shepard predictably received a per-game roster bonus that will total $152,500 if he is active for all 17 games. [STORY]

LB Jarrad Davis, 1 year, $1.18 million - veteran minimum. While some might not have been impressed with Davis's play late last season, it's important to remember that he was signed to the 53-man roster from the Lions practice squad late and had to hit the ground running with a basic knowledge of Wink Martidale's defense.

That the Giants were said to have been courting Davis for weeks before landing him showed how intrigued they were, and the belief likely was that he could be even better once he had a full off-season to learn the system's intricacies under his belt.

The Davis signing does not mean the Giants won't pursue another veteran in free agency; it simply gives them some added reinforcement at a position that is not only weak but thin. [STORY]

WR Isaiah Hodgins, 1 year, $820,000. Hodgins was a nice surprise for the Giants, a guy who came in well past the mid-year point and looked right at home in the Giants' offense. Hodgins snagged 33 balls for 351 yards and was tied with Richie James for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (4). Hodgins isn't necessarily a No. 1 receiver, but he's a solid option worthy of having on the field for the bulk of the snaps. [STORY]

P Jamie Gillan, 2 years, $4 million with an additional $1 million in incentives. Gillan wasn't always consistent with his punting--his shorter kicks requiring touch left much to be desired. But to be fair, he also didn't have an ace gunner helping him out. That he's a left-footed punter and has a big leg is likely why the team hasn't given up on him, though it will be interesting to see if the Giants bring in competition for Gillan, who also serves as the holder on place kicks. [STORY]

LS Casey Kreiter, 1 year, $1.3 million with $352K guaranteed ($152K signing bonus, $200K base salary). Veteran minimum deal. Kreiter has been with the team since 2020, and while mostly solid last year, some of his long snaps lacked some zip. That said, continuity is important in the kicking game, and the Giants will have that for 2023. [STORY]

Who's Going

DL Henry Mondeaux (Jaguars). With the Giants focused on upgrading their defensive line depth, Henry Mondeaux, whom they acquired off waivers from the Steelers last summer, is headed to Jacksonville. Mondeaux, who was promoted to the Giants' 53-man roster in Week 3, appeared in 11 games for the Giants, starting four and recording 16 tackles.

OC Jon Feliciano (49ers, 1 year, $2.5 million fully guaranteed plus $1 million additional in incentives). In what's arguably the second surprise for the Giants in free agency--Darius Slayton's return was the first center Jon Feliciano is moving on after only one season in New York. Thought to be a favorite of the coaching staff, Feliciano was believed to have been on the Giants' radar, even if they do intend to draft a center (which seems more and more likely). [STORY]

DB Julian Love (Seattle, 2 years, $12 million, $5.98 million guaranteed, including $4.82 million signing bonus). As expected, Julian Love, a defensive starter and co-captain last season, is moving on to another team.

Love seemed to foreshadow his eventual departure a couple of weeks ago during an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio. Meanwhile, Giants general manager Joe Schoen, who tried to reach an agreement with Love during the bye last year, added to the belief that Love would be moving on when, during the combine, he went out of his way to mention that he thought perhaps there might be veteran safeties coming loose due to salary cap drive transactions.

The Giants have Xavier McKinney, Dane Belton, Jason Pinnock, Trenton Thompson, and Terrell Burgess at the position. They're also likely to add at least another player at the spot, either via the draft or the back end of free agency.

C/G Nick Gates (Washington, 3 years, $16.5 million plus $1.5 million in incentives; $8 million guaranteed). Look up the definitions of "underdog" and "warrior" in the dictionary, and don't be surprised if you find Nick Gates's picture next to each entry. Gates rose from being an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska to becoming the starting center until a horrific broken leg that nearly ended his career cut short his tenure with the Giants. Still, Gates battled back to return to the field last year, playing both center and guard, but with an eye toward starting at center, the likelihood of Gates starting for the Giants in 2023 was slim. Gates agreed to terms with Washington, a source confirmed. [STORY]

WR Kenny Golladay (Cut). The rocky and disappointing marriage between the Giants and receiver Kenny Golladay ended on March 15, the first day of the new league year, when any dead money will spill into 2023 rather than 2022. Regardless, it's an expensive cut for the Giants, who still have to pay the receiver a $4.5 million bonus that was guaranteed at the time of signing.

The Giants have designated Golladay as a standard cut, meaning they will save $6.7 million instead of $13.5 million had Golladay been a post-June 1 transaction. Although they'll eat $14.7 million in dead money, the good news is that Golladay's contract comes off the books this year. [STORY] [UPDATED STORY]