How New York Giants Can Win 2015 NFL Free Agency
Free agency is approaching, and the New York Giants can't afford to slip up this signing period.
From nine wins to seven wins to six wins, the team is headed in the wrong direction as playoff and Super Bowl memories grow fainter and fainter.
For the Giants to turn things around before they hit absolute rock bottom, they must first follow these three steps to win 2015 free agency.
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Before they can worry about attacking the open market, the Giants must begin contract negotiations with two of their own players: defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul and safety Antrel Rolle.
When it comes to Pierre-Paul, injury concerns make the future outlook murky. He only showed a flash of his 2011 All-Pro form in the final five games of the 2014 season, racking up nine of his 13.5 sacks in the closing stretch of his push for a new contract. Back and shoulder injuries limited him to 6.5 sacks in 2012 and only two sacks in 2013.
NFL players have a narrow window to maximize their contract potential. Coming off his rookie contract and only 26 years old, Pierre-Paul may not get another chance to land a megadeal.
The Giants have the franchise tag in their back pocket. If JPP does not immediately agree to New York's terms, the team can increase its negotiating leverage by using the one-year tender as an ultimatum.
| 2010 | 21 | 22 | 4.5 | 6 | 2/0 |
| 2011 | 22 | 93 | 16.5 | 7 | 2/0 |
| 2012 | 23 | 66 | 6.5 | 5 | 1/1 |
| 2013 | 24 | 27 | 2.0 | 4 | 0/1 |
| 2014 | 25 | 77 | 12.5 | 6 | 3/0 |
Rolle's situation is the opposite. At 32 years old, the safety has already been generously paid by the Giants. Although he's still a valiant contributor, no one is going to offer him a long-term deal above market value at this point in his career.
Rolle is a captain and a team player. No one wants to take a "hometown discount," but he should understand New York's position in the negotiation. If he wants to be a part of the rebuild under new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Rolle must agree to the Giants' team-friendly terms.
If he wants more money, Rolle should find it elsewhere, and there should be no hard feelings.
Pay Up for a Quality O-Lineman
According to Over the Cap, New York has an estimated $16.5 million in cap space this offseason. If the Giants call all the shots in negotiations with Pierre-Paul and Rolle, they should have enough leftover cash to bring in a quality offensive lineman when free agency opens up in March.
The Giants project to have four decent starters in 2015: tackles Will Beatty and Justin Pugh, guard Geoff Schwartz and center Weston Richburg.
General manager Jerry Reese believes Pugh has some inside-outside flexibility, per Nick Powell of NJ.com, so the Giants' free-agency efforts should focus on the right side of the line—either a tackle or a guard.
One of the best offensive linemen slated to become a free agent this spring is Mike Iupati. He is a dominant run-blocker who has made the Pro Bowl each of the past three seasons and was named first-team All-Pro in 2012. However, in his five NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Iupati has only played left guard.
Will Iupati's unproven versatility be a concern for the Giants?
Bryan Bulaga is another intriguing option. The former first-round pick has a long list of injuries, including a torn MCL that kept him out for the entire 2013 season. But, when healthy, Bulaga has performed well for the Green Bay Packers. His five seasons have been spent almost exclusively at right tackle.
Will Bulaga's injury history scare the Giants away?
The best option might be Orlando Franklin. He has missed only one game in his four-year career with the Denver Broncos, starting all 63 of his games played. Better yet, Franklin has experience lining up at both right tackle and left guard. Franklin has enviable durability and versatility.
Last year, Franklin was a member of a Broncos O-line that gave up the fewest sacks in the league (17.0).
Retool the Defense with Affordable Options
The Giants defense should be overhauled this offseason, much like the offense was last offseason. Ben McAdoo did a good job cleaning up the mess Kevin Gilbride left behind; now it's time for Steve Spagnuolo to fix a broken unit previously belonging to Perry Fewell.
The semi-new defensive coordinator can get the job done, if he's given the tools to succeed. Before the Giants get Spags some young weapons in the draft, they must first acquire a couple of veteran defenders with starting potential in free agency.
So, where should New York look to find affordable talent?
One guy who stands out as an option is Derrick Morgan. He is a former first-round pick and would serve as an excellent reclamation project. If all goes well, the Giants should be able to get more out of Morgan than the Tennessee Titans ever did.
Morgan played all over Tennessee's defensive line before converting to rush linebacker in a 3-4 scheme last year. Although his career high is only 6.5 sacks (2012, 2014), the Georgia Tech product could finally enjoy a proper chance to thrive in a more consistent setting.
New York will also need help at safety. The Seattle Seahawks are typically credited with the league's best defensive backfield, so why not dip into their talent pool? That's what the Giants did last year when they signed slot cornerback Walter Thurmond III (who should also be re-signed for the Giants to win free agency).
The Seahawk to target is Jeron Johnson. The former undrafted rookie hasn't received much playing time in Seattle's deep secondary, but he performs well on special teams.
The 'Hawks must have seen some potential in Johnson last offseason, too. Otherwise, they wouldn't have offered the then-restricted free agent a second-round tender.
One more guy to take a look at is Akeem Ayers. The New England Patriots traded for the linebacker midseason, acquiring him from the Tennessee Titans, and he ended up winning the Super Bowl.
Although the Giants have plenty of strong-side talent, Ayers is a disruptive force with 13.0 sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles in four seasons.
These signings, plus a few other depth signings, should set the Giants up to succeed in 2015.
Kevin writes about the New York Giants at Bleacher Report.
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