The New York Giants have some big decisions to make this offseason. The Giants have to decide about whether to build through the draft, or to bring in big name free agents. Ideally, the Giants will do a little bit of both, in order to build a team that can win now, as well as sustain success. I will be working off of my previous mock draft, to work through a plan for the Giants.

Roster Cuts

Olivier Vernon

Vernon is set to count 19.5 million against the cap this year, but if cut post June 1st, his cap number would drop to 4 million. Since signing with the Giants Vernon has yet to reach 9 sacks, but he is being payed like JJ Watt who had 16 sacks last year. Vernon is a good player, but he is being paid like an elite pass rusher.

Janoris Jenkins

Jenkins’ cap hit is set at 14,750,000, but if cut post June 1st he will only count at 3.5 million. Jenkins was signed as a top tier corner, and while he is still a good player, he is getting older and his production could be replaced for less money. If Jenkins is willing to take a pay cut, he could stick around, but most players don’t appreciate being asked to take less money.

Alec Ogletree

Alec Ogletree is a solid player, but not worth the nearly 12 million he is set to make. Ogletree is making nearly as much as Luke Kuechly and Bobby Wagner, and he just isn’t the same caliber player as they are. The Giants could save nearly 5 million by cutting Ogletree, but they may choose to stick with him due to the 7 million in dead space.

Re-signings

Landon Collins

Collins is one of the better safeties in the NFL, and he should be paid like one of the top 5 at the position. Assuming he gets that salary, he should be in line for a contract in the neighborhood of 5 years 60 million dollars. Collins is the leader on the Giants defense, and in my opinion, well worth the 12 million yearly salary.

Jon Halapio

Halapio was good last year, garnering a 70 PFF grade. PFF graded Ryan Kelly as the 25th best offensive lineman in the NFL last year, with a 74.0 grade. Halapio broke his leg last season, which will hurt him, but at 27 he still has good years ahead of him. The highest paid centers in the league make around 9 million a year, due to his injury Halapio will likely be forced to sign a 4 year 28 million dollar contract at best.

Free Agent Targets

After resigning Collins and Halapio the Giants will have roughly 39 million if they cut Ogletree and 35 million if they keep him. There are a few young players this year that could possibly be signed for cheaper than the big names.

Za’Darius Smith, OLB

Za’Darius Smith is a young pass rusher, who had 8.5 sacks last year, and he wasn’t even a full time starter. Smith is perfectly suited to play 3-4 outside linebacker in New York. If paired with Montez Sweat, Smith could likely average 10-12 sacks a year for the entirety of his contract. Smith will likely command somewhere in the range of 12-15 million dollars a year, but due to his youth he could get up near 18 million a year. 18 million would likely knock the Giants out of the running for Smith.

Anthony Barr, OLB

Barr is a huge man at 6’5″ 250 pounds, but in Minnesota he was used as a 4-3 linebacker. However, I believe he is more built for a 3-4 outside linebacker role. Barr wasn’t used as a pass rusher in Minnesota, which means that he likely won’t get a pass rusher’s pay check. Barr could be signed for closer to 9 million a year, and then he could turn into a 10 sack player every season.

Jordan Hicks, LB

Signing Hicks would be a double upside signing for the Giants. When healthy Hicks has proven that he can be a very good inside linebacker, with the ability to stop the run as well as excelling in coverage. Signing Hicks would also steal a good player away from a division rival. However, Hicks is injury prone, so the Giants may be able to sign him for a cheaper price tag. I wouldn’t be shocked if Hicks signs a 4 year 32 million dollar deal.

Denzel Perryman, LB

Perryman has flashed the ability to be a play-maker in the NFL, but he has also suffered a serious injury every year of his NFL career. Perryman has missed 8 games a year the last two years. Perryman may have to sign a 1-2 year deal at around 6 million a year, until he proves that he is capable of staying healthy.

Ronald Darby, CB

Darby was probably in line for a 13 million dollar per year deal, but due to his ACL injury, he is probably down to the 10 million per year range. On top of the ability to run with anyone in the league, Darby also has the foot quickness to change direction and stick to any receiver in the NFL.

Steven Nelson, CB

Nelson isn’t as much of a specimen with speed and quickness, so he likely won’t make top end corner money. Spotrac’s Market Value tool estimates a 9.5 million per year salary for Nelson. He won’t be a true number one corner that travels with receivers, but he does give a defense the ability to play a variety of coverages.

Bryce Callahan, CB

Callahan has potential to be one of the top slot corners in the NFL, but due to his size he may not be what some teams view as an “outside corner”. That will knock him out of big time corner money, Spotrac estimates him to get a 7.5 million contract.

LaMarcus Joyner,S

LaMarcus Joyner is one of the highest paid safeties in the league, but the Rams more than likely won’t be able to keep him on the team for a high cap. Joyner is more than likely in line for a 10 million dollar a year deal, but he is one of the better free safeties in the league.

Ju’Waun James, OT

James has proven that he is one of the best right tackles in the NFL, and in this age of the NFL, there is almost no difference between right and left tackles. James isn’t as good as Trent Williams or Tyron Smith, but he will likely make exactly as much as them. I wouldn’t be surprised if James signs a 4 year 60-65 million dollar deal.

Ideal Offseason

There is no way for the Giants to sign all of those players, so what would be the best combination of players? In my opinion you have to build the trenches, I’d start with Anthony Barr and Ju’Waun James. That would bring the Giants to around 12 million in cap space if they keep Alec Ogletree. If I were the Giants I would release him, and bring in Jordan Hicks if possible. If you can’t bring in another inside linebacker, I would keep Ogletree and bring in a corner such as Ronald Darby or Steven Nelson. Eli Manning’s 23 million dollar cap hit will be gone after this year. If the Giants play their cards right, next year they will have 3-5 players they signed this year, a quarterback on his rookie deal, and 30 million in cap space.