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After a 6-11 crusade, and failing to return to the playoffs, the Giants brass will have to go back to the drawing board to figure out 'what went wrong' and what needs to happen. I am not one for excuses, but between the dozens of injuries, there were still plenty of close games that would have flipped the narrative. Young players getting adapted, lot of "next man up" promotions and slotting, it wasn't pretty, but the season wasn't a total failure.
The Giants will have four picks in the top 100, plus decisions to make with Daniel Jones and the quarterback room (blog for another day), but this is just a quick instant thought on the 26 players the Giants have coming off the books. Who should they keep, who should they try to retain on the cheap or franchise tag, who walks?
Need To Resign
Saquon Barkley - RB
Isiah Simmons - LB
Xavier McKinney - SS
These are franchise cornerstones. Saquon is someone who is respected in the league, and he has been the offensive constant year after year. Isiah Simmons was traded for a pick and has thrived in this defense. Xavier McKinney is a homegrown talent, and the safety position is not easy to come by. They let Julian Love walk, I don't think they will do that in back-to-back seasons. These are all players that should be getting offers the second free agency starts, and those offers are to stay in New York.,
Would Like To Keep
Jihad Ward - DE
Carter Coughlin - OLB
Cam Brown - LB
Adoree Jackson - CB
Gunner Olszewski - WR/PR
Ben Bredeson - G
Justin Pugh - G
All talented players who showed great promise this season. Not sure what they are looking for on the open market, but I would like and expect to see, a majority of these guys returning next year.
On The Fence / Small Deal
A'Shawn Robinson - DE
Rakeem Nunez-Roches - DT
Casey Kreiter - LS
Darrian Beavers - LB
Nick McCloud - CB
Darnay Holmes - CB
Matt Peart - T
All solid depth pieces, I wouldn't mind if they came back for the right price, but I wouldn't be sad if they left. Easy to replace, but also nice to have within the system.
Sterling Shepard - WR
He's in between both of these categories, because it's tough. On one hand, longest tenured Giants on this team, and he has been a staple on this squad and a positive influence in the lockeroom. On the other hand, he only had 7 catches and a touchdown on the year. Is he retiring, is he moving on, can he be a coach? I am torn. Obviously would love to have him, but wouldn't be mad or surprised if this was his last season with the G-Men.
Let Them Walk
Tyrod Taylor - QB
Paris Campbell - WR
Matt Breida - RB
Benton Whitley - OLB
Wyatt Davis - G
JC Hasseaneur - C
Randy Bullock - K
A lot of leadership and vets, as well as depth pieces, but that's okay. The quarterback room is crowded, Campbell is the odd man out in the receiver department, and Breida should be replaced by Eric Gray or another running back in the draft (if they can retain Barkley).