2020 New York Giants Offseason Plan

Brandon Olsen

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Team Needs:

OT, EDGE, C, WR, S, LB, TE

Available Draft Picks:

1.4, 2.36, 3.98, 4.107, 5.150, 6.183, 7.238, 7.244, 7.247, 7.255

Starting Cap Space:

$58,222,080

Trades:

NYG trade 1.4 to LAC for picks 1.6, 2.37, 5.151, and 2021 3rd

While the Giants would surely love to have their pick of defenders or offensive linemen at four, this team has too many holes to turn down a slight move down with another two picks this draft and one in 2021. The Chargers get to draft their QB while the Giants get to draft a defender or offensive lineman.

Cuts:

TE Rhett Ellison to save $5,000,000

LB Alec Ogletree to save $8,250,000

LB Kareem Martin to save $4,800,000

There’s some more fat on this roster that could be trimmed to create more cap space, but the others are at least capable of seeing snaps consistently and contributing positively. Rhett Ellison is someone who has been able to contribute primarily as a blocker in the past but his cap hit is just too high for his lack of contributions overall. Alec Ogletree has been the starter in the middle since he got to East Rutherford but being a complete liability in coverage just isn’t going to work in today’s NFL. Kareem Martin being on the roster just makes no sense at this point for his contract, given that he’s barely seen the field since he joined the team.

Re-signings:

EDGE Markus Golden for 3 years, $34,500,000 ($18M GTD)

K Aldrick Rosas for 1 year, $2,144,000 (2nd-round tender)

S Michael Thomas for 2 years, $6,000,000 ($2.5M GTD)

WR Corey Coleman for 1 year, $850,000 (0% GTD)

LB Deone Bucannon for 1 year, $1,250,000 (0% GTD)

TE Scott Simonson for 1 year, $850,000 (0% GTD)

Markus Golden was one of the more consistent contributors for the New York Giants defense in the 2019 season. At this point, it came down to bringing back either Markus Golden or Leonard Williams. Given the production, draft pick implications, and opt-out, Markus Golden is the safer and smarter pick to bring back over Leonard Williams. Golden could be traded or cut after the first season without taking too big of a cap penalty, which makes him a much more team-friendly option.

Although Aldrick Rosas is coming off a down season, if the Giants have faith in him rebounding, the second-round tender is a smart choice to keep him in East Rutherford. Michael Thomas offers valuable veteran leadership and versatility to this Giants defense and special teams. Corey Coleman could be a contributor in what currently looks like a weaker receiving corps. At the worst, Coleman would be a viable option in the return game.

Deone Bucannon hasn’t panned out at the next level yet but defenses are getting increasingly smaller and faster, so his play style is becoming more appreciated as time goes on, at the very least as a depth player. Tight end Scott Simonson has at the very least earned a contract with the opportunity to make the roster. He may never be a starter-level tight end, but he showed potential last season.

Free Agent Signings:

EDGE Jadeveon Clowney for 4 years, $88,000,000 ($65M GTD)

OT Jack Conklin for 4 years, $60,800,000 ($45M GTD)

FB Derek Watt for 3 years, $6,000,000 ($4M GTD)

CB Brian Poole for 2 years, $2,600,000 ($1M GTD)

Clowney is one of the premium edge defenders available in this years free agent class and with the Giants likely not being in position to get a top edge in the draft, spending money on one is the best way to get the job done. Clowney is a stout run defender with pass-rush potential so grabbing him and letting him move around the defense strengthens this whole defense significantly. Brian Poole would be able to come in and challenge for the starting nickel spot immediately. Poole has been one of the more reliable nickels in the league for the past few seasons but has struggled finding a steady home, hopefully he’ll find that with the Giants.

Bringing in Jack Conklin to play right tackle instantly takes this lackadaisical offensive line and turns them into a much more formidable unit. Conklin is a top-level free agent that excels as a run-blocker, so bringing him in for this offense is a solid fit. This coaching staff has expressed how much they want to line up and pound the rock this year and with Elijhaa Penny having an expiring contract, Derek Watt could be a major contributor here, maybe not in the box score, but on tape.

Draft Results:

Assuming three quarterbacks, Chase Young, and either Isaiah Simmons or Jeffrey Okudah will be available here. In this case, Simmons is available for the pick. New Giants Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham doesn’t conform to either 3-4 or 4-3 so getting in some versatile pieces has to be a priority. Adding Simmons, who’s a breed that hasn’t been seen before as a top prospect that can play all over the defense, would make Graham’s job as easy as possible.

Pick 2.36 – Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan

I have no problem admitting that I love Jon Halapio and I’d love to see him back in blue, but whether or not he comes back, the Giants can use an upgrade on the interior of the offensive line. Enter: Cesar Ruiz. Ruiz would be able to step in as an immediate starter at center to help shore up the interior line.

Pick 2.37 – Lucas Niang, OT, TCU

With the interior line being much improved and Jack Conklin being signed, the only true weakness remaining on the offensive line is at left tackle. With Niang coming off an injury, it’s unclear just how close to 100% he is but he’s almost definitely going to be an upgrade over Nate Solder once healthy, so the future of the offensive line is now in set in what should become a strength for the team. A pass-blocking specialist, Niang could become what everyone though Nate Solder would become for the Giants.

Pick 3.98 – Kenny Willekes, EDGE, Michigan State

Willekes is a high-floor, low-ceiling type of player that has a motor better than most. He should be able to find a role in this defense primarily playing as a defensive end when the Giants go 4-3 or a rush linebacker in the 3-4. Getting a player here who may never be a full-time starter but can be a consistent contributor is a solid get.

Pick 4.107 – K’Von Wallace, S, Clemson

With a high football IQ and the versatility to play all over the secondary, Wallace isn’t the strongest run defender but he could be a solid complement to Jabrill Peppers at safety.

Pick 5.150 – Josiah Deguara, TE, Cincinnati

Deguara is one of my favorite tight ends in the 2020 NFL Draft. Deguara is an all-around tight end who doesn’t excel in any particular facet of the game but his blocking ability and reliable hands should make him a solid TE2 straight out of camp.

Pick 5.151 – Sewo Olonilua, RB, TCU

One of the most freakish athletes at his size, Olonilua has raw power, solid speed, and hands out of the backfield that would be welcome anywhere. Olonilua can help the Giants somewhere that Saquon Barkley can’t; pass protection. One of the best pass-protecting running backs in the class, Olonilua offers the ability to contribute in every way as a back.

Pick 6.183 – Michael Pinckney, LB, Miami

Pinckney is a rangy linebacker that can pack one hell of a punch when he lines up to take a shot at a carrier. Being a four-year starting linebacker for a blue-chip program like Miami gives Pinckney more experience than the majority of linebackers in the 2020 class.

Pick 7.238 – Oluwole Betiku Jr., EDGE, Illinois

One of the more productive edge rushers in the Big 10 this season, Betiku is capable of playing as both a defensive end and outside linebacker. Betiku has the ability to consistently fight through blocks to get after the quarterback. The biggest concern is that Betiku has only been productive for one season in college, which 4.5 of his 9 sacks this season coming against Akron and Connecticut in the first two games of the season and only two sacks in the final 6 games. His potential as a pass-rusher makes him a very low-risk pick this late.

Pick 7.244 – Nathan Stanley, QB, Iowa

One of the players that has been attacked by groupthink in this draft, Stanley has a big arm and size, along with the ability to run a pro-style offense will probably make Stanley one of the more desirable late quarterbacks. Stanley’s complete inability to make plays with his legs makes him a long shot to find success in the modern-day NFL. He’s worth a shot as a backup and like we saw with the Jaguars this season, it’s always worth it to draft a quarterback late, just in case.

Pick 7.247 – Steven Wirtel, LS, Iowa State

Steven Wirtel is the one longsnapper that I think ends up getting drafted this year. With Zak DeOssie being a free agent and joining the Giants the same year as Eli Manning, moving on at this point wouldn’t be a bad idea. Wirtel is an accurate snapper with plenty of athleticism and a high enough football IQ to recognize and force offside penalties, like he discusses here.

Pick 7.255 – Trystan Colon-Castillo, C, Missouri

Without a true backup center on the roster, drafting Colon-Castillo could prove smart for this offense. TCC likely can’t move to guard but he should be a solid body in the middle of the offensive line as a depth player.

Cap Space Spent on Re-signings:

$19,540,000

Cap Space Spent on Free Agents:

$40,500,000

Cap Space Spent on Draft Picks:

$14,042,136

Total Cap Remaining:

$2,135,944

Backfield

QB: Daniel Jones

RB: Saquon Barkley

Pass Catchers

WR1: Sterling Shepard

WR2: Darius Slayton

Slot WR: Golden Tate

TE1: Evan Engram

TE2: Josiah Deguara

Offensive Line

LT: Nate Solder/Lucas Niang

LG: Will Hernandez

C: Cesar Ruiz

RG: Kevin Zeitler

RT: Jack Conklin

Defensive Line

DE1/NT/DE1 for 3-4, DE2/DT/NT/DE2 for 4-3

DE: BJ Hill/Jadeveon Clowney

DT: Dexter Lawrence

NT: Dalvin Tomlinson

DE: Dexter Lawrence/Markus Golden

Linebacker Starters

OLB1/ILB/ILB/OLB1 for 3-4, OLB2/ILB/OLB2 for 4-3

OLB: Jadeveon Clowney/Isaiah Simmons

ILB: Ryan Connelly

ILB: Isaiah Simmons

OLB: Markus Golden/Deone Bucannon

Secondary Starters

(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

CB1: Deandre Baker

CB2: Sam Beal/Corey Ballentine

Slot CB: Brian Poole

FS: Julian Love/K’Von Wallace

SS: Jabrill Peppers

Special Teamers

Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

K: Aldrick Rosas

P: Riley Dixon

KOS: Aldrick Rosas

LS: Steven Wirtel

KR: Corey Coleman

PR: Corey Coleman