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New York Giants Mailbag: Early Free Agency Thoughts Edition

We have a jumbo-sized mailbag this week, so enjoy!
Patricia Traina|
New York Giants Mailbag: Early Free Agency Thoughts Edition
New York Giants Mailbag: Early Free Agency Thoughts Edition

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New York Giants

If you'd like to submit a question for the mailbag, please send it to nygiantsmaven@gmail.com. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity and conciseness. While we try to answer all questions received, we reserve to consolidate if several people ask the same question.

(From Dane B. via Instagram) Hey Patty, I'm a first-year college student just trying to learn a few things, so if you don't mind, here are a few questions. What did college look like for you? What did you major in? How did you get into the career you're in?

What's good, Dane? I majored in English literature with a minor in creative writing. I also spent three years contributing to the school newspaper to gain hands-on experience. I did my graduate work in corporate communications and public relations to learn the "other side" of dealing with the media.

Along the way, I took three classes I highly recommend to all aspiring journalists: psychology, interviewing techniques, and statistics. As for how I fell into this career, I was an active participant in the old Prodigy and AOL services, where I was "discovered" by someone in the industry for a non-paying job. I got my break when I discovered Inside Football and wrote a letter to the founding editor when he was looking for a webmaster. One thing led to another, and here I am.

(From Tewlate via Instagram): I've heard a lot of talk about the exclusive versus non-exclusive tag. Not as much talk about the transition tag in comparison. So could you explain that or devise a scenario that could be used?

Thanks for the question. The transition tag might be cheaper, and the only reason I can think of for a team to use it on the player is if they truly don't have any idea what a market is for a player. That's the danger of using that tag and why you don't see it used as much these days (that plus, if you lose a player on that tag, you don't get compensation).

(From Christopher W.) Which position do you think the Giants need to upgrade via the draft?

If I'm the Giants, I double dip in the cornerback market. I know they have Adoree' Jackson for another season, but I'm looking ahead to the future, and this is a super deep class for corners. I would also look to add another running back from what is a super deep class. But really, I expect them to address several positions.

(From Daniel M.) Can the Giants get a number 2 and a 3 for their current number 1 to get two receivers?

Probably not, Daniel. They're not drafting high enough to command that kind of a haul. The Giants have 11 picks in this draft. If they wanted to take two receivers and felt the value was there on Day 2, then why do they even need to trade in the first place?

(From KC in Oregon): The team chemistry in 2022 was a wonderful thing to watch. There are guys we fans see who played a big part in buying into Dabol’s system (Jones, Barkley, Dex, Love, etc.), but is there a guy who was a big proponent of the team we fans might not think of? Also, has anyone surprised you personally with how much they contributed to team chemistry?

What's up, KC? I think the biggest surprise is that very few players weren't fully on board with Daboll's program. (And those who weren't probably won't be on the 2023 team.) If you remember, there were ten team captains, which is an unheard-of number. So the message got around the locker room, and the chemistry reminded me a lot of the 2007 and 2011 teams.

Saquon Barkley. 

What's good, Jon? It depends on whether those players who had money pushed into future seasons are on the roster for the contracts' duration. Suffice it to say, it's not in a team's best interest to keep kicking the can down the road because it does catch up to you--see last year's Giants.

I will not be shocked if the Giants address the defensive side of the ball in free agency. I think linebacker and defensive line depth will be two positions they fill through free agency, with a potential splash at linebacker. With players being released, perhaps the receiver crop might draw some interest, but I just have a feeling that defense is the way they go.

Matt, this isn't a simple question to answer because it would all depend on who they're trading with. They'd get a lot more if they traded with a team that had the 15th pick in the second round who wanted to move up than they might if they traded with a team that had the third pick in the second round.  

My guess is no, but I wouldn't be totally upset if he was.

Satoshi, that depends. What if there is a rash of injuries at one position, and you can't carry a third quarterback? I did see something where the league was considering bringing back the emergency quarterback role it got rid of years ago (why I don't know, but that's another story). So maybe that's the answer if that rule comes back.

Wow, great question. I'd get a linebacker here via free agency--maybe Tremaine Edmunds of the Bills or T.J. Edwards of the Eagles. And I'd see about trading for receiver Jerry Jeudy of the Broncos, as I still am not wild about the free-agent receiver class.

Hi Chris. I shared some thoughts on the Jones contract in this article. I will reiterate that I think the deal is fair for both sides, and there isn't anything about how it's structured that had me slapping my forehead in disgust or questioning what the Giants were thinking.

Sure, why not? Since when is it a good idea to exclude a specific group of players, especially guys whose contracts were terminated, that might be willing to play on a modified deal with a new team?

Hi Ash. I'm not quite sure what you mean by "rider" player, but as I noted above, I think one of, if not the first positions the Giants address in free agency will be a linebacker. And I'm most curious to see if they make a play for T.J. Edwards of the Eagles or Tremaine Edmunds of the Bills.

I haven't really thought about that, to be honest. I would think, on the surface, no, since I think everyone knew the Panthers needed a quarterback, and the Bears were going to look to get out of the top spot after committing to Justin Fields. I do think there will be a cornerback there for the Giants at No. 25. As for receiver, I wonder if there might be better value in Day 2 at that position. 

 

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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