Recently Released Veterans the NY Giants Should Consider in Free Agency

As the NFL churns toward the start of free agency in less than a week, teams around the league have been busy getting their houses in order by releasing veteran players who either no longer fit into the team’s plans moving forward or whose existing contracts don’t fit into their team's 2015 salary cap.

Might some of these recently cut players be potential fits both in terms of skill and financial value for the New York Giants, who have a lot of work to do in free agency but not a lot in terms of money? 

It wouldn’t be a surprise if they take that route to address some of their needs, so let’s look at three potential veteran players recently cut by other teams who could be a fit for the Giants at the right price.

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

Running Back Pierre Thomas 

At the combine last month, general manager Jerry Reese mentioned the team would be on the lookout to find a running back to fill the role initially planned last year for David Wilson.

That role, to be specific, is a third-down back who could pick up the blitz and be a receiving option out of the backfield.

While the Giants already have Orleans Darkwa on the roster as a potential candidate to compete for that role, if they want to add a veteran who could possibly come cheap, Pierre Thomas, who was released by the New Orleans Saints Wednesday, might be worth a look.

Last season, Thomas missed five games due to rib and foot injuries, but when he was in the lineup, he contributed, rushing 45 times for 223 yards and two touchdowns, and catching 45 out of 50 pass targets for 378 yards and one touchdown (with only one dropped pass).

According to Pro Football Focus, Thomas, who finished with a 9.3 overall grade, allowed just three quarterback pressures in 32 pass-blocking snaps. Primarily used as a receiver out of the backfield, Thomas graded out with a 7.7 mark, the third-best in that category among all running backs last season.

Given the influx of running backs that are hitting the market plus the depth at the position in this year’s draft, the 30-year-old Thomas, due to count for $2.565 million under the Saints cap this year, would appear to be a candidate for a veteran-minimum type of deal.  

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Defensive End Trent Cole 

At the very start of the offseason, it was clear the Giants needed help on their defensive line. However, as time has gone by, it’s becoming clearer just how much they really need on their defensive front.

To recap, Jordan Raanan of NJ Advance Media reported last month that defensive end Robert Ayers Jr., who landed on injured reserve with a chest injury, did not have a return date.  

Mathias Kiwanuka was sent packing after two subpar seasons, the last of which he finished on injured reserve.

More recently, Charean Williams of the Fort-Worth Star Telegram, attending the Texas A&M pro day, spotted Giants defensive end Damontre Moore at his alma mater’s pro day with his right arm in a sling for an undisclosed reason.

Add to that the situation with Jason Pierre-Paul, who received the franchise tag designation earlier this week.

Pierre-Paul could decline to attend any of the Giants' upcoming voluntary offseason activities or the mandatory minicamp in June so long as he doesn’t sign his tender or a new contract.

A prospective fit for the Giants, if he’s willing to take less than the $10 million base salary he was due to receive from the Philadelphia Eagles this year, is Trent Cole, released by the Eagles on Wednesday. 

The 32-year-old Cole, an outside linebacker in Chip Kelly’s 3-4 defense, is still a productive player who has been durable. Per Pro Football Focus, he graded out with an 11.3 mark as a 3-4 OLB pass-rusher, recording 6.5 sacks and 47 quarterback pressures.

He also posted a positive grade in run defense (2.6), posting three forced fumbles and 52 tackles. He recorded 27 stops at or behind the line of scrimmage.  

Cole obviously wouldn’t be a long-term solution, but if the Giants are looking to get a young pass-rusher in the draft to develop, he appears to have gas left in the tank to tide them over for a year or two at that other defensive end spot.

What’s more, as a still-solid pass -rusher, his presence could force opposing offensive coordinators to pick their poison regarding whether to double-team Cole or Pierre-Paul.

Ed Mulholland/Getty Images

Safety Tyvon Branch

If the Giants can’t come to a new agreement with Antrel Rolle, who tweeted that he has yet to have discussions with the Giants, they are going to need at least one veteran at that position.

A high-risk, high-reward veteran who could make a good replacement for Rolle at strong safety is Tyvon Branch, cut by the Oakland Raiders.

In eight seasons, the 28-year-old Branch has appeared in 75 games. He has recorded 476 tackles, eight sacks, four interceptions, 20 passes defensed and 17 stuffs, according to ESPN's stats, and he has topped 100 tackles three times in his career.

However, he’s been plagued by injuries, most recently a season-ending foot ailment, that have resulted in him playing only five of his last 32 regular-season games.

If Branch is recovered from that injury, he could come at a much lower price tag than the $9.65 million ($5.5 million base salary) he was set to count for against the Raiders’ 2015 cap.

All salary cap and contract information is via Over the Cap unless otherwise noted. All stats via Pro Football Focus, unless otherwise noted.

Patricia Traina covers the Giants for Inside Football, the Journal Inquirer and Sports Xchange. All quotes and information obtained firsthand unless otherwise sourced.  

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