Six Pending UFAs from Chiefs, 49ers Who Could Fit Giants
The New York Giants are looking to build a winning culture. One of the best ways to build a winning culture is to bring in free-agent talent from winning organizations.
Now that Super Bowl XLVIII is in the books, the free agents on both teams may be on the move as organizations look to add that championship pedigree to their rosters and players look for a payday.
The Giants could be active participants based on their needs and both teams' abundance of free-agent talents.
Let's look at a few potential targets from both teams that the Giants should at least explore.
CB L’Jarius Snead (KC)
The first-team All-Pro cornerback is a man-to-man specialist and would instantly improve the Giants' defensive backfield versatility. He is equally good at guarding receivers outside or in the slot. He gives a defensive coordinator the ability to run combination coverages.
He is aggressive with his hands and has long arms. He also has quick feet and excellent recovery speed. In addition to physical skills, he defends the pass well when the football is in the air.
At 27 years old, he is in his prime and would command a great payday. The Chiefs will need to pay defensive lineman Chris Jones, which may mean they do not have room to pay Snead.
S Mike Edwards (KC)
When they beat Kansas City a few years ago, Edwards was an important part of the Buccaneers' defense. He has been a great find for the Chiefs. He's physical, and he has great coverage skills.
Over his five-year career, he has recorded eight interceptions, five fumble recoveries, and four touchdowns. Edwards is also 27 and has a lot of football left in him, but he may be the odd man out in the secondary due to money issues.
If so, he could be an alternative if the Giants do not get a deal completed with Xavier McKinney.
RG Nick Allegretti (KC)
When the Chiefs All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney went down with a pectoral injury against the Bills in the divisional round, Allegretti stepped in and proved he could be a quality starter against the Ravens in the AFC championship and the 49ers in the Super Bowl.
Allegretti will want a good payday and a chance to be a full-time starter. He may not be able to find that with the Chiefs next season, but the Giants desperately need to upgrade their interior offensive line, and the 27-year-old from Illinois could be a value pickup.
DE Chase Young (SF)
Young is well known in New York for his years with the Washington Commanders. There was a little criticism of his effectiveness after the 49ers traded for him this year, but in the Super Bowl, Young showed why he was a blue-chip pick.
The 49ers may look at Young as a luxury and not a necessity, so the Giants have a chance to bring him in and put him opposite Kayvon Thibodeaux. Imagine a 4-man front of KT, Dexter Lawrence, Young, and Azeez Ojulari. That would be a scary proposition.
Edge Randy Gregory (SF)
Gregory operates as an important depth piece for the 49ers. He has the long arms and explosiveness to give offensive tackles fits while attacking around the edge. He also has a great motor to pursue running backs and athletic quarterbacks looking to scramble.
Gregory could be the odd man out simply based on the amount of edge talent on the field for San Francisco. The Giants could bring him in at a decent price and pair him with Thibodeaux and Ojulari for more legit edge rushing options.
WR Jauan Jennings (SF)
The 26-year-old pass catcher out of Tennessee is one of the best blockers in the NFL. At 6’3” and 212 pounds, Jennings brings size and athleticism to his game and strong hands. He could be the physical presence on the outside that the Giants are missing in their receiver room.
He has not received the targets while with the 49ers but has always chewed up a lot of yards per reception. He averaged 11.8 and 11.9 yards per reception in his first two seasons. This season, he averaged 13.9 yards per reception but is still one of the lowest-targeted receivers on the team. He could bring a lot to the Giants and they could afford him an opportunity to expand his role.
Final Thoughts
The Giants front office and fan base have had the opportunity to see all of these players show what they can do at the highest level on the biggest stage and many of them will look attractive.
There is no better time to evaluate a potential free agent than when they know you will be watching. Yes, they do this for a living, but even the most calm and calculated players get nervous and crack under the pressure of looming free agency.
Despite the final score, these players proved that they were valuable. If the price is right, you could see more than one wearing blue next season.
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