Giants' Last-Minute Guide to 2024 NFL Free Agency

The New York Giants 2023 season didn't go as planned. After making a surprise appearance the previous year, just about everything that could have gone wrong for New York did.

Quarterback Daniels Jones suffered a season-ending ACL tear, running back Saquon Barkley battled his own injury issues and the Giants regressed on both sides of the ball, fairly substantially.

The result was a disappointing 6-11 record and a lot of questions heading into 2024. Head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen are back, but they have a lot of work to do in the coming days.

The new league year, along with the official start of free agency, will kick off at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday. What should be on the Giants' agenda this week? Let's take a final look at New York's biggest needs, most notable free agents, potential targets and cap situation.

Overview

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Giants general manager Joe Schoen

Projected Cap Space: $41 Million

The Giants—who ranked 29th in total offense, 27th in total defense, 30th in scoring and 26th in points allowed last season—have holes to address before even factoring in their impending free agents.

The good news is that New York has much more cap flexibility than it had after extending Jones and franchise-tagging Barkley last offseason.

The Giants could potentially generate even more space by moving on from tight end Darren Waller. The 2023 trade addition has struggled with lingering hamstring issues and is contemplating retirement.

"I'll be deciding pretty soon, but I haven't made a decision yet," Waller said, per The Athletic's Dan Duggan.

Releasing Waller with a post-June 1 designation would save $12.1 million in 2024 cap space.

While Waller doesn't plan to rush his decision, the Giants are likely to do the same. The extra cap dollars would be nice, but New York has the space to be major players early and often in free agency.

Notable Free Agents

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Giants RB Saquon Barkley

RB Saquon Barkley

G Ben Bredeson

CB Darnay Holmes

CB Adoree' Jackson

S Xavier McKinney

G Justin Pugh

DT A'Shawn Robinson

DE Jihad Ward

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Given how the roster performed in 2023, the Giants might not be too eager to keep the proverbial band together. However, New York does have a few key free agents on whom it should be focused.

Arguably the biggest is Barkley, who despite missing time in 2023, was the team's most consistent offensive playmaker when healthy. The 27-year-old averaged an underwhelming 3.9 yards per carry but still racked up 1,242 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns in 14 games.

Defensively, Xavier McKinney is the player the Giants should be most interested in retaining. The 24-year-old has developed into a versatile do-it-all defender, even though he has primarily played on the back end in New York.

McKinney is one of the top young defensive backs at any position headed to the free-agent market.

Adoree' Jackson and Jihad Ward were both strong contributors in 2023 as well and should get a long look from Schoen. As far as top priorities go, though, Barkley and McKinney are it.

Biggest Needs and Potential Targets

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Patriots OL Mike Onwenu

Quarterback

The Giants may be ready to move on from Jones, who played poorly before the injury, just one year after granting him a four-year extension. New York has already had an "exploratory meeting" with impending free agent Russell Wilson, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

From a long-term perspective, drafting a quarterback with the sixth overall pick—or by trading up—would make the most sense. With Jones still recovering and a rookie possibly incoming, it would still behoove the Giants to add a veteran quarterback.

Tyrod Taylor was the veteran of the QB room last offseason, and he's set to hit the market next week.

While Schoen is likely only kicking the tires on Wilson, a proven journeyman like Jacoby Brissett or Gardner Minshew II would be plenty logical.

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Guard

Regardless of what the Giants do at quarterback, they must improve the offensive line. The team allowed an alarming 85 sacks in 2023, which is an obvious problem.

With both Justin Pugh and Ben Bredeson slated to become free agents, it would be a good idea to target a proven starting guard in free agency.

This year's crop of interior offensive linemen won't come cheaply. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the top guards will "command $16 million or more" in free agency. Fowler is likely spot-on with that assessment, as Los Angeles Rams guard Kevin Dotson just signed a three-year, $48 million extension.

The good news is that the player pool is deep, with starting-caliber linemen like Robert Hunt, Mike Onwenu and Kevin Zeitler set to be available.

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Offensive Tackle

The Giants may not be willing to completely pull the plug on 2022 first-round pick Evan Neal, but they need to consider an upgrade. Neal hasn't developed as quickly as the Giants might have expected, and New York needs a more reliable starter at right tackle.

While the market isn't as deep at tackle as it is at guard, the Giants will have options. Expect New York to show interest in proven starters like Trent Brown, Jermaine Eluemunor and Jonah Williams.

Onwenu, who has experience at both guard and tackle, might be the ideal target for the Giants this offseason.

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*Cap and contract information via Spotrac.