Available Free Agents Still Within New York Giants' Reach
After a semi-active free-agency period last month that saw the New York Giants sign seven players from other teams and re-sign seven—not including Jason Pierre-Paul, who was franchise-tagged but hasn’t signed anything yet—of their own from last year, the Giants have been focusing on the upcoming NFL draft.
Although the Giants currently have eight picks to address their remaining needs, which include free safety, offensive line, defensive line and tight end, the Giants typically don’t draft players at certain positions just for the sake of having someone there to fill the role.
That is where the back end of free agency comes into play.
Once the Giants have completed the draft and the ensuing rookie free-agent signing frenzy, the Giants will use the tail end of free agency to round out their 90-man training camp roster.
Who are some of the prospects out there who remain currently unsigned and might be of interest to the Giants?
Read on to find out.
FS Jeromy Miles
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A free safety prospect who didn’t draw much attention on the open market is 28-year-old Jeromy Miles, who alternated between strong safety and free safety for the Baltimore Ravens last season after primarily being used on special teams.
In 2014, Miles turned out to be a nice surprise as a member of the Ravens’ defensive backfield. He took 365 defensive snaps, 251 of which came in coverage.
He finished with a plus-5.2 overall grade and grades of plus-0.5 against the run and plus-5.0 in coverage.
In addition to playing both safety spots, Miles has also taken some snaps at slot cornerback during his career with the Ravens.
Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun reported in February that Miles was still in the Ravens’ plans for 2015.
Whether that will change after the draft remains to be seen, but given Miles' versatility and ability to play on special teams, he would appear to be a good value late in free agency.
OT Joe Barksdale
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It’s probably safe to say that the Giants are going to look at the draft to find that fifth missing offensive line prospect.
That prospect is widely believed to be an offensive tackle who will presumably step in at right tackle and push incumbent Justin Pugh inside to left guard.
If the Giants can’t get the offensive tackle they want in the draft—a list of candidates includes Ereck Flowers (Miami), Brandon Scherff (Iowa), Andrus Peat (Stanford), and La’el Collins (LSU)—a potential free agent who might come at an affordable rate is unrestricted free agent Joe Barksdale.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Barksdale, who played for the St. Louis Rams in 2014 and recently visited the Tennessee Titans, left without a new deal. The Rams remain in the mix to re-sign the five-year veteran.
Barksdale graded out as the third-best run-blocking right tackle in the league among those who took at least 75 percent of their team’s snaps in 2014.
Pass-blocking was another story, as Barksdale tied Miami's Ja'Wuan James for the most quarterback hurries allowed (40).
FS Stevie Brown
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Although head coach Tom Coughlin told reporters that the team may convert cornerbacks Chykie Brown and Bennett Jackson to safety, that might not be the most practical plan.
First, Jackson is coming off microfracture surgery on his knee. If he has to miss any of the spring OTAs, that will delay his transition.
As for Brown, who has played 19 career snaps as the slot cornerback—including seven last season—he would also probably be a raw prospect at safety.
When playing on an island, his coverage wasn’t very good last season. He finished with a 110.7 NFL rating in coverage, surrendering two touchdowns, breaking up three passes and picking off no passes.
So what about Stevie Brown, who led the Giants in interceptions in 2012?
Last year was Brown’s first season back from an ACL injury that cost him the 2013 campaign, and he had his issues. He looked to have lost a step or two in coverage.
He finished with a 152.0 NFL rating, looking nothing like the ball hawk he was prior to suffering his injury.
Then there was the matter of the sprained foot Brown suffered in the regular-season finale, an injury for which he had surgery.
It’s not known exactly how severe Brown’s foot injury was or if the surgery was actually related to that injury, but it probably wouldn’t be a stretch to connect the two and also view that surgery as a reason why Brown is still out there.
If Brown remains unsigned after the draft, it’s possible the Giants will be able to get him back on an affordable one-year deal. His veteran presence would no doubt be a welcome addition to an otherwise young safety corps that is expected to add at least another face via the draft.
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G Justin Blalock
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If the Giants would prefer to leave Justin Pugh at right tackle and designate left guard as the remaining opening on their starting offensive line, Justin Blalock—who was cut by the Atlanta Falcons earlier this year—could be a good free-agency signing.
Blalock, whom Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports drew interest from the Detroit Lions and Tennessee Titans back in March, had been entrenched as a starter for the Falcons at the left guard position.
In 2014, he earned solid grades in both run-blocking (plus-2.1) and pass protection (minus-0.2).
The Falcons’ second-round pick in the 2007 draft has been a model of durability. He has started 125 career games, missing just two regular-season starts over his career.
Although he’s getting up there in age at 31, Blalock could provide a solid veteran presence while the Giants look to continue developing younger prospects such as Eric Herman, Brett Jones (a center who may get some work at guard this spring) and any draft picks or undrafted free agents who are added to the mix.
DB Sherrod Martin
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After losing slot cornerback Walter Thurmond III to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Giants are projected to turn to Trumaine McBride to move into the slot cornerback position.
To his credit, the 5’9”, 185-pound player has performed well since signing with the Giants as a free agent in 2013.
Despite his height, McBride told Inside Football that he tries to play bigger than his height while in coverage.
He’s done well in that regard, finishing the 2013 season with a team-best 57.4 NFL rating and then following that up with a 91.4, fourth-best on the team last year despite having his season cut short due to a broken hand.
With that said, the Giants are probably on the lookout for another slot cornerback prospect. If they can’t find one in the draft, a veteran free agent who is bigger than McBride is Sherrod Martin of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Martin, 6’1” and 200 pounds, started 31 of 32 games for the Carolina Panthers between 2010 and 2011. He suffered a devastating knee injury in December 2012, tearing his ACL and MCL, which cost him the 2013 season.
Last season, his first back from that injury, Martin played in 13 games and saw 139 defensive snaps.
Martin has experience playing both safety positions as well as slot cornerback. Overall, he has eight career interceptions.
He could fill multiple needs if his surgically repaired knee is deemed stable enough for another season.
All player grades, advanced statistics and free-agent statuses 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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