Analyzing PFF's New York Giants Off-season Blueprint

Pro Football Focus recently came out with its 2024 NFL Off-season Blueprints for every team, so I thought I'd look at what they have for the New York Giants and offer my thoughts.

Note: I've looked at every category except their five-round mock draft only because, so far, the mocks I've done haven't gone past three rounds. The bulleted players are PFF's picks. I give my feedback afterward.

Top Free Agents

RB Saquon Barkley
S Xavier McKinney
CB Adoree' Jackson

While I agree that Barkley and McKinney are among the top free agents (even though I don't see them being able to re-sign McKinney), I disagree about Jackson, even though I see the logic behind the selection. If Jackson isn't re-signed, that creates a hole at CB2, but with that said, it's been pretty clear since last year that the Giants don't intend on having Jackson back since they never adjusted his mammoth, space-eating contract.

My third choice would have been linebacker Isaiah Simmons. Simmons did many little things well for the Giants in their "one-year rental" of his contract and worked himself nicely into the various sub-packages.

One Free Agent to Pursue

WR Curtis Samuel

Nope, sorry. I disagree with this choice, and it has nothing to do with Samuel or the quality of the player he is. The 2024 draft class is loaded with receivers, and several early mocks have one of LSU's Malik Nabers or Washington's Rome Odunze falling to the Giants at No. 6 (assuming they stay there).

The Giants probably won't make a huge splash in free agency, but if they do, I'd rather they go after a veteran offensive lineman or an edge rusher. Offensive lineman Mike Onwenu is high on my wish list for the Giants, given he can play guard or tackle.

Add him to the offensive line, and if Evan Neal struggles at right tackle, you likely have a built-in solution. If Neal shows progress, you have a solution at one of the two guard spots that appear to be up for grabs.

If Onwenu isn't tagged, I would hope the Giants make a call to gauge his interest.

One Free Agent to Retain

S Xavier McKinney

I don't disagree with this choice, especially now that the Giants have a new defensive coordinator in Shane Bowen, whose scheme is especially dependent on having versatile safeties. But I still remain convinced that McKinney, who has made no secret of his desire to get paid, won't be back because he will follow the money trail, which I don't think the Giants will be willing to give him.

If McKinney does leave, the Giants will probably look to plug Dane Belton into the starting lineup, and they'll also probably look to draft additional talent to fill out the depth at this position.

Effective Salary Cap Space

$14,204,144

Effective cap space, which is fluid, is defined by Over the Cap as "the cap space a team will have after signing at least 51 players and its projected rookie class to its roster." Expect this total to increase once the Giants trim some fat off their roster.

Biggest Position Need (Draft)

Wide Receiver

No argument here, though some will insist that quarterback or offensive line is the bigger need. But for the Giants to get a quarterback, they'll likely have to trade up to have a chance at the top three prospects, something I don't think they'd do given how many other needs they have to address.

So if it's not going to be a quarterback in the first round--and I don't think it will be--it might as well be a receiver who can potentially become the No. 1 receiver this team has been missing since the days of Odell Beckham Jr.

Perfect 2024 NFL Draft Prospect

QB Drake Maye, North Carolina

Maye has been linked to the Giants in some early mock drafts, but the big question is whether he falls to them at No. 6. If that were to happen, I wouldn't hate the pick. Regardless of your belief in Daniel Jones, the biggest concern is that he is likely one more neck injury away from his career being in jeopardy. Joe Schoen no doubt realizes this, which is one of the reasons why quarterback will be among the high priorities this team addresses.

But how they address it might not be the way some are hoping. Schoen indicated at his year-end presser that they want someone on board who can start games for them if Jones doesn't get the green light in his recovery from ACL surgery/rehab by the time the season starts.

Early 2024 Breakout Candidate

WR Wan'Dale Robinson

I agree that Robinson, who was still working his way back from a torn ACL, is a good candidate for an early 2024 breakout star for the Giants, given all he can do for an offense. I've often thought that Robinson has become what they hoped Kadarius Toney would have been.

But for this category, I will go with another receiver whom I think/hope we'll see much more from: Jalin Hyatt.

As a rookie, Hyatt caught 23 of 40 pass targets (57.5 percent) for 373 yards, 53 of which came after the catch. He also had four drops along with a 40 percent contested catch rate and no touchdowns, all coming on a limited route tree in which most of his routes were in the short and intermediate ranges.

It will be interesting to see if Hyatt gets more deep opportunities in Year 2 of his career.

Most Improved Player in 2023

LB Micah McFadden

McFadden is worthy of this honor. This year, most of his 101 tackles came between the tackles, where he showed smart reads and solid physicality in getting to the ball carrier. However, if there was one drawback to his game, it was the missed tackles, where his 25 missed tackles were tied for fifth most among all defenders last year.

That said, McFadden did a good job shooting gaps into the backfield on wide runs and with single coverage. We're not sure how much more he can improve in his game, but it's pretty much a certain thing that McFadden is a relentless worker who attacks his deficiencies with the same zest he attacks gaps.

Secret Superstar

LB Bobby Okereke

I'm not sure how much of a "secret" Okereke is, given his career history of production. Still, if we're talking about one of the best free-agent signings from another team, Okereke belongs up there after just one season of play with the Giants. In an era where it's rare to see a team get its money's worth out of a free agent signing, Okereke delivered, not just because he didn't miss a single defensive snap, but he produced in a big way.

His 149 tackles (many of which were within seven yards of the line of scrimmage) fell just shy of the career-high 151 tackles he had set the year prior. Still, his tackles for a loss (11) and forced fumbles (4) were new career highs, while he tied a career-high of two interceptions in his first season as a Giant.

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