Bargain Free-Agents Giants Must Target
Training camp continues for the New York Giants, and their August 8 preseason opener is quickly approaching. The start of the regular season is just over a month away, and yet, the Giants still have a number of questions hanging over them.
Can the Giants rebound in 2024 after missing the playoffs last season? Will Daniel Jones finally establish himself as New York's long-term answer under center? Will head coach Brian Daboll get his squad to play more like the unified squad we saw in 2022?
These are critical unknowns, but they're also questions that will largely dissipate if the Giants can string together meaningful wins in the regular season. What fans should learn in the coming weeks is whether New York's retooled roster—one that now features the likes of Brian Burns and rookie receiver Malik Nabers—is ready for the challenge.
Maybe it is, but the Giants still have time to add a few more pieces to the puzzle. While New York has just $10.8 million in cap space available, some quality veterans remain unsigned and could likely be added at a bargain.
WR Richie James
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If the Giants are to win consistently in 2024 and get consistent production out of the quarterback position, they need to field a much better receiving corps than they've had in recent years.
New York hasn't had a 1,000-yard receiver since Odell Beckham Jr. hit that mark back in 2018. Last season, Darius Slayton led the Giants with a mere 770 receiving yards.
Adding Nabers to the mix will help, and the rookie continues to shine at training camp.
"Nabers continues to show he was worth the No. 6 pick investment. The 21-year-old receiver made highlight play after highlight play along the sidelines," Ryan Novozinsky of NJ.com wrote.
However, the Giants could use more receiver depth. Younger players like Wan'Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt have flashed potential, but New York should explore every avenue toward improving the passing attack.
Bringing back wideout Richie James, who spent last season with the Kansas City Chiefs, would make plenty of sense. He tallied 569 yards and four touchdowns in his last Giants campaign, and he's already familiar with Daboll's offense.
After playing on a one-year, $1.2 million contract last season, James should be open to a return at a bargain price.
TE Tyler Kroft
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It would also behoove the Giants to add a little more veteran depth at the tight end position. 2023 trade acquisition Darren Waller retired this offseason, leaving New York with Daniel Bellinger and rookie fourth-round pick Theo Johnson at the top of the depth chart.
Bellinger has shown some promise but has never reached 300 receiving yards in a season. Johnson has a lot of upside but will likely need time to develop.
While the free agent talent pool isn't deep at the tight end position, the Giants could snag a seasoned starter by signing Tyler Kroft. The 31-year-old rarely saw the field with the Miami Dolphins last season and was a bit player for the San Francisco 49ers in 2022.
However, Kroft has 100 games and 52 starts on his resume and spent two seasons under Daboll with the Buffalo Bills.
Kroft's best season came with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2017, a season he finished with 42 receptions, 404 yards and seven touchdowns. While Kroft can't be considered a high-end starter at this point in his career, he'd bring some much-needed experience to the tight end room.
After playing on a one-year, $1.2 million contract in 2023, Kroft should also be a very budget-friendly option.
RB Latavius Murray
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The Giants should also look to support Jones with a strong running game, which could be a major challenge after losing Saquon Barkley to the rival Philadelphia Eagles in free agency.
New York added Devin Singletary and used a fifth-round pick on Tyrone Tracy Jr., but it still has one of the more underwhelming backfields in the NFL.
Singletary played under Daboll in Buffalo and flashed with the Houston Texans last season, but he's never rushed for 900 or more yards in a season. He's likely entrenched as New York's starter, though because of that Daboll connection, though, so the Giants should target an experienced back who can contribute in a limited role.
Latavius Murray has shown that he can do exactly that over the last few seasons. Murray was a role player in Buffalo last season but still provided 419 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns. He was signed off the New Orleans Saints practice squad in October of the previous year and gave the Denver Broncos 827 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns in 12 games.
Murray may be 34 years old, but he's still going strong and should be able to help the Giants on short notice. He played on a one-year, $1.3 million deal last season and should be available at a similar price point now.
*Cap and contract information via Spotrac.
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