New York Giants: Who Stays and Who Goes in 2015 Free Agency?
Next season's New York Giants will look a little different than the ones that won only six games in 2014, and that's because a lot of them are about to become free agents.
Twenty-three players, to be exact, will be free to sign with any of the NFL's 32 teams in March. Some will re-sign with the Giants before then. Others are likely to test the open market but ultimately return. Then, there are those who will leave New York behind and start careers with new teams.
This article will offer a prediction for every Giant facing free agency. If you disagree with any of these predictions, generate some discussion by sharing your opinion in the comment section below.
DE Jason Pierre-Paul
1 of 10
Jason Pierre-Paul's free-agency situation will define the Giants' 2015 offseason.
This past year, Pierre-Paul, who turns 26 next month, had his first double-digit-sack season since his dominant 2011 campaign. Although JPP's production has been affected by serious back and shoulder injuries, the defensive end is one of the NFL's most disruptive forces when healthy.
There seems to be mutual interest in Pierre-Paul's retention. In early December, the pass-rusher said he'd "love to be a Giant for life," according to Nick Powell of NJ.com. Giants co-owner and CEO John Mara said he would be "very surprised" if Pierre-Paul isn't on the team next season, per Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News.
Dan Graziano of ESPN has speculated that Pierre-Paul will get the franchise tag before signing a long-term deal.
Prediction: Pierre-Paul stays
S Antrel Rolle
2 of 10
The Giants could be without a vocal leader if Antrel Rolle is not retained this spring.
In 2010, Rolle became the highest-paid safety in NFL history when New York signed him to a five-year, $37 million deal. As valuable as he's been since then—intercepting 14 passes and becoming a team captain—Rolle won't double-up on that honor as a 32-year-old veteran this offseason.
Rolle can still produce, but at what price? The Giants might be stingy when dealing with Rolle, especially since Jason Pierre-Paul and the need for an immediate starter on the offensive line should be prioritized ahead of him. Three Pro Bowls, a Super Bowl ring and name recognition can get Rolle a bigger deal on the open market if money is his main concern.
Prediction: Rolle walks
CB Walter Thurmond III
3 of 10
The Giants were onto something when they signed Walter Thurmond III last offseason.
Although Thurmond played in only two games before landing on injured reserve with a pectoral injury this past year, it's too soon to give up on the 27-year-old cornerback. He is a slot specialist that fits well in between starters Prince Amukamara and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on the outsides.
Last week, Thurmond told Paul Schwartz of the New York Post that he's "willing to come back." The Giants should be just as willing to have him back. After signing a one-year, $3.5 million deal last spring, Thurmond's market value can't be worth much more than the veteran minimum in 2015.
Prediction: Thurmond stays
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S Stevie Brown
4 of 10
Things have fallen apart for Stevie Brown since his regrettable injury, which cost him the entire 2013 season.
Since tearing the ACL in his left knee, Brown has not resembled the same player who picked off eight passes in 2012. The safety was thrust back into the starting lineup when Will Hill was dumped, but he made a habit of blowing coverages and later lost the job to Quintin Demps.
Brown still contributed off the bench, albeit unimpressively. Even though the 27-year-old should be cheap to retain, New York would be wise to move on. The Giants have taken enough chances on Brown and really need a more talented player at his position.
Prediction: Brown walks
LB Mark Herzlich
5 of 10
When the Giants brought in four rookie linebackers before the 2011 season, few expected the undrafted cancer-survivor to enjoy the longest tenure with the team.
That could be the case, however, if Mark Herzlich is retained this offseason. Herzlich isn't the most enticing athlete New York has at the position, but he's smart and valuable as a backup and on special teams. Linebackers endure a lot of contact and are subject to injury, and Herzlich is a familiar guy who can fill in, if needed, at all three positions in the 4-3 base defense.
No one is going to pursue Herzlich as a starter this spring. With a mere 14 career starts, the 27-year-old has a value known only to the Giants. They should spare the pocket change to keep him around.
Prediction: Herzlich stays
LB Jacquian Williams
6 of 10
The most disappointing of those rookie linebackers brought in before the 2011 season has been Jacquian Williams.
There was never any doubt about Williams' athleticism. Instead, the disappointment derived from durability concerns, as well as his fit and utilization in New York's defense. Built like an oversized safety, Williams couldn't go wire-to-wire as the team's full-time starter at weak-side linebacker in 2014, as he finished the season on injured reserve after sustaining shoulder and head injuries.
Williams, 26, has shown little to no evidence that he can be a reliable every-down linebacker in the NFL. It does not make sound economic sense to retain a player whose impact is limited to third downs and surefire passing situations.
Prediction: Williams walks
FB Henry Hynoski
7 of 10
Fullback isn't the most popular position in today's NFL, but Henry Hynoski is one of few invaluable up backs left.
Also knows as the "Hynoceros," Hynoski rumbles a lot like the massive, horned creature from which his nickname is derived. The Giants were the league's 28th-ranked team in terms of yards per rush last season. How will parting ways with the team's best run-blocker help improve that ranking?
Last summer, Hynoski told Jordan Ranaan of NJ.com that "you need a fullback" in order to run the ball successfully. If this is still true, the 26-year-old will likely be retained this spring. He should not be expensive, since teams aren't exactly clamoring for fullbacks these days.
Prediction: Hynoski stays
RG John Jerry
8 of 10
The Giants must tear apart some of their offensive line before it is effectively rebuilt.
In New York's defense, there's no way the original intention was for John Jerry to become the team's starting right guard. It was somewhat of a surprise for Chris Snee to retire just before training camp began, and Brandon Mosely's lack of development was a disappointment in and of itself. Jerry was thrust into the lineup and looked the part.
Jerry, 28, was the easily identifiable weak point in New York's O-line this past season. A long-term replacement should be targeted in the draft, but, in the meantime, the Giants would be better off taking a flyer on any available veteran in free agency than re-signing Jerry.
Prediction: Jerry walks
Others Who Stay
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S Quintin Demps quietly led the team with four interceptions in 2014 and has kick return experience and would provide key safety depth with Antrel Rolle's future uncertain.
TE Daniel Fells was the Giants' most reliable tight end this past season and is a veteran that can catch, block and do whatever else is asked of him.
WR Kevin Ogletree came in off the street and produced when called upon, and the receiver could provide valuable depth at a position that often weathers several injuries.
C Dallas Reynolds (RFA) is not a contender to land a starting job, barring catastrophic developments. Still, it might be worth it to retain him with an original-round tender.
TE Larry Donnell (ERFA) showed real promise as a pass-catcher in 2014 and should be given another chance to prove himself as a more reliable and consistent playmaker.
CB Chandler Fenner (ERFA) played in 11 games this past season after two years without seeing action in Seattle and could come back for depth purposes, if nothing else.
CB Mike Harris (ERFA) played in the slot over former third-rounder Jayron Hosley late in the season. There's no such thing as too many cornerbacks.
Others Who Walk
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LB Spencer Paysinger was relegated to reserve and special teams duties in 2014, after becoming the team's starting weak-side linebacker a season earlier. He appears to be on the downswing.
WR Jerrel Jernigan had his chance to star in New York's offense and made little of it. He landed on injured reserve with a foot injury after just two games.
OL James Brewer is fourth-round bust that doesn't play with the dominance his 330-pound frame might suggest. Like Jernigan, it's time to move on from this failed draft pick.
G Adam Snyder was signed in season mostly as a precautionary measure when the team got thin at guard. The Giants should be able to find an upgrade on the open market this spring.
CB Zack Bowman is a veteran now on the wrong side of 30. He had his moments as a Giant, but maybe not enough to keep him on the team.
DT Mike Patterson isn't a bad backup interior D-lineman, but he hasn't recorded a sack since becoming a Giant. A younger replacement for the 31-year-old should be located this offseason.
RB Chris Ogbonnaya signed late in the season to help keep a hurting running back unit afloat. He did not record a carry and is unlikely to do so with the Giants in 2015.
CB Chykie Brown played in a handful of games when the team ran out of cornerbacks. When healthy, New York shouldn't have a need for him.
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