The New York Giants are entering free agency with the most cap space they have ever had, about $60 million. They also have 29 of their own free agents of all types, many of whom will need to be replaced given their age, injury history and ineffectiveness. Some will return but thanks to terrible drafts from 2009 to 2013, the Giants are going to have to depend on free agency to fill those gaps which can be disastrous.
Any fan of the Philadelphia Eagles can tell you that “winning” in free agency doesn’t equate to winning on the field. Remember Vince Young and his “Dream Team” proclamation in 2011? Winning teams aren’t built through free agency. They are built through the draft and complemented with free agent acquisitions. The Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots and even the Giants can show you that. However, thanks to poor drafts, the Giants are forcing themselves into finding answers in free agency.
Free agency is a double-edged sword. Prices become inflated and salary cap situations become muddled. Money, even the Giants’ $60 million, will go quickly. It is nice to dream about the Giants throwing money at some Pro Bowl-type players, perhaps Mario Williams, Jason Pierre-Paul and Damon Harrison to fix their defensive line. However, the reality is they won’t be able to afford too many top-tier free agents, not with 29 free agents to re-sign or replace.
The Giants will need to invest, either in their own players or other free agents, in some pretty expensive areas like defensive end, defensive tackle, cornerback and wide receiver. Throw in at least one right guard or right tackle and the money keeps disappearing.
There is no magic wand for Jerry Reese to wave and fix the mistakes he has made in previous drafts. The Giants have said they want to make the playoffs this season, but that might be unrealistic. Sure, they could have made the playoffs last year if the team realized the game didn’t end at the two minute warning. That was under a different head coach and it will be with a different team. The Giants can certainly improve over last year, but the odds are just as great that they could get worse.
Terrible drafts are exactly why the Giants find themselves with approximately $60 million in cap space. They haven’t drafted anyone worth re-signing in too many drafts. There have been too many wasted picks on players like Travis Beckum, Clint Sintim, Damontre Moore, Marvin Austin, Jerrel Jernigan, James Brewer, Phillip Dillard and Ramses Barden. All of those players were drafted in the fourth round or earlier since 2009. All are gone from the team or out of football. Only the massive holes they have left remain.
The Giants and Reese have had a good past couple of drafts, but he needs to come away with one his best classes yet this year. The Giants will need that more than coming away with a few huge free agent signings.
