NFL free agency is right around the corner, and with the New York Giants having a surplus of salary cap space, the franchise could be very active on the open market.
Free agency officially begins on March 15, however, legal tampering starts two days before and the New York Giants have a lot more money to spend in offseason two of general manager Joe Schoen’s regime. With the market set to open soon, the team has the fourth most available cap space at $43.1 million (via Spotrac).
Related: Bold predictions for 2023 NFL free agency – Destinations for more than 50 players
While some of that money will surely go to prospects they draft in April, and at least $32 million to quarterback Daniel Jones, the team still have the flexibility to either make a couple of major moves or several savvy signings to plug up some weaknesses on the roster.
A player the team will most certainly try and allocate some of that space to is free-agent Pro Bowler Saquon Barkley. However, with Jones forcing the team to likely use the franchise tag on him, there is a good chance the G-Men will be outbid for his services in NFL free agency.
With that all in mind, here are seven players the New York Giants should target on March 13 to fix problems and fill the likely hole left by Saquon Barkley.
Jakobi Meyers
The 2023 free agent market has several wide receivers with upside but could be major risks contractually. However, with the position being such a massive weakness, the team will need to address it in the NFL Draft and free agency. Patriots veteran Jakobi Meyere might be a worthwhile response to the problem.
The 27-year-old has been rock-solid for New England over his first five seasons and likely could have had a breakout 2022 if the offense wasn’t such a mess. There are clear signs Meyers is a player on the rise that has WR1 potential. However, the team will have to pay him well to beat out the competition and there is certainly some risk he could be the next Kenny Golladay. Nevertheless, it’s a risk the New York Giants must take.
Jamaal Williams
Lions running back Jamaal Williams had his best year as a professional last year as he rushed for over 1,000 yards splitting time in the backfield of Detroit’s high-powered offense. There is a good chance that could happen again in 2023 and the 27-year-old may feel deserving of being an undisputed RB1 on another team. While he doesn’t have the resume or pass-catching history of Barkley he has serious star potential and would come far cheaper than Barkley in NFL free agency.
Bobby Wagner
After 10 impressive seasons in Seattle, Bobby Wagner saw his Seahawks run end unceremoniously this time last year. And last week, he was surprisingly handed his walking papers by the Rams after just one season. However, Wagner is still an impact player, and his 140 tackles and six sacks in 2022 proved that.
The New York Giants have two nice bookend linebackers in Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari, but the interior of their second level on defense could use improvement. Wagner could do that and bring a winning veteran pedigree to a team that could use it.
David Montgomery
Another player that could be had at an affordable rate but has upside as a Barkley replacement is Bears running back David Montgomery. Over his four seasons, he has proven to be a legit starting-level talent, and unlike Jamaal Williams, he has shown the ability to be a pass-catching threat out of the backfield — pulling in 68 catches two years ago.
At only 25, Montgomery could be a fantastic addition to an offense led by creative minds in head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.
Patrick Peterson
If you can’t beat them, maybe you should join them. That could be the case for Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson. The 12-year veteran was a part of the team that lost to the Giants in the playoff and may see New York as a better horse to ride in the final prime years of his career.
While the Big Blue defense was good in 2022, getting turnovers in the secondary was a weakness. Peterson could help in that area because he has been a ball hawk his entire career, and even racked up five interceptions last season.
Devin Singletary
Devin Singletary and Daboll have a history during the coach’s time as offensive coordinator in Buffalo. While he has proven he may not be a legit RB1 in the league, he would be perfect in a shared backfield with an RB the New York Giants take on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. Plus, he would come at a fairly cheap cost.
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Parris Campbell
Colts receiver Parris Campbell was dogged by injury woes for the first three years of his career. However, in 2022 he was healthy and showed the promise of being taken with a second-round pick in 2019. While he isn’t the big-name addition fans would hope for to bolster the receiver corps, he is a talented player with high-level capabilities that would be a savvy and affordable addition to the New York Giants.