New York Giants: Who Are the Biggest Priorities in 2012 Free Agency?

Hot off a Super Bowl XLVI win, the New York Giants will surely be a hot bed for 2012 NFL free agency. After all, players are much more marketable when they have "Super Bowl champion" on their resume.

But which players are the most important assets to the team? Which guys could the team stand to lose?

With help from Brian McIntyre of Mac's Football Blog, we get a look at the Giants free-agency class of 2012.

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Exclusive Rights Free Agents (2)

TE Jake Ballard
TE Bear Pascoe

Restricted Free Agents (1)

CB Bruce Johnson

Unrestricted Free Agents (21)

QB David Carr
WR Michael Clayton
WR Domenik Hixon
WR Mario Manningham
WR Devin Thomas
OT Stacy Andrews
OT Kareem McKenzie
OT Tony Ugoh
DE Dave Tollefson
DT Rocky Bernard
DT Jimmy Kennedy
LB Chase Blackburn
LB Jonathan Goff
CB Will Blackmon
CB Michael Coe
CB Aaron Ross
CB Terrell Thomas
CB Justin Tryon
S Deon Grant
S Derrick Martin
P Steve Weatherford

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What does it all mean?

Volume

What jumps out immediately is the sheer volume of players set to become free agents. Nearly 40 percent of the active roster is set to hit free agency, with the exclusive rights and restricted free agents all likely remaining with the team. 

The Giants are set to lose five cornerbacks and four wide receivers to free agency, although it's certain that the team likely won't want everyone back. As well as they played in the postseason, this is a defense that allowed an 86.1 defensive passer rating during the regular season, the highest ever for a Super Bowl champion.

Who are the odd men out? Looks to me like a toss-up between Aaron Ross and Terrell Thomas. A former first-round pick, Ross may be the guy. He underperformed in 2011, and if Thomas is healthy, there may simply not be enough room for Ross with Thomas, Corey Webster and Prince Amukamara on the roster.

Mario Manningham will be costly

After making a catch the magnitude of which was comparable to David Tyree's in Super Bowl XLII, Manningham stands to get a pretty fat paycheck from his next team, whichever that may be. 

Manningham has been a big-time clutch receiver for the Giants, hauling in 13 receptions for 189 yards and three touchdowns in four playoff games, including the go-ahead touchdown against the 49ers and the aforementioned reception on the Giants' final drive of Super Bowl XLVI. 

And with all that said, he may simply command too much money on the open market. He certainly isn't worth the franchise tag, thus the Giants may have to go looking for another No. 3 option in the passing game.

What does the future hold for Jake Ballard?

Jake Ballard's ACL injury in the Super Bowl could not have come at a worse time for him. He will likely remain with the team, but on a much lower dollar amount than may have previously been possible.

According to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News, Jerry Reese has stated that Ballard will likely have to begin the season on the PUP list.

Ballard gave the Giants a suitable replacement for Kevin Boss after their former star tight end departed in free agency for the Oakland Raiders. The Giants will likely find a way to tender him for a year and keep him around, but this is just a terrible turn of events for Ballard, who was likely to earn a long-term deal this offseason anyway.

Steve Weatherford is the key

Giants punter Steve Weatherford proved that the best offense can be a good defense, but the best defense can be an elite punter. 

In both Week 9 and the Super Bowl, it was Steve Weatherford's magnificent punting that put the Giants in position to constantly stop the Patriots offense. In fact, it was his punt that backed the Patriots up in their own end zone and set up the ensuing safety.

It's not common that a punter can be considered a free agent, but Weatherford is certainly one of those instances.

Make your case

Who is the biggest offseason priority for the Giants? Did I get it right, or am I dead wrong? Vote in the poll and make your case in the comments section below.

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