Account
Kenny Golladay Rumors: Latest Buzz on Giants' Interest, WR's Market Value
March 17, 2021
Kenny Golladay may have played only five games for the Detroit Lions in 2020, but he's shown in the past that he's capable of high production when he's on the field. That's why he's among the top tier of wide receivers on the free-agent market this offseason.
With NFL free agency set to begin Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, the 27-year-old has yet to work out a deal with a team during the legal tampering period, which started Monday. As many players have come off the market, he is one of several talented receivers who are still available for teams to pursue.
One team that has been linked to Golladay in free-agent rumors is the New York Giants. NJ.com's Zack Rosenblatt reported on Tuesday there are some sources around the NFL who believe that if the Giants sign him, they could get him for about $15-17 million per season, which is lower than originally expected.
The Northern Illinois product had an extension offer from the Lions last fall that would have paid him $18-19 million per year, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter (h/t John Maakaron of Sports Illustrated).
But it's not a sure thing that he could be going to New York. ESPN's Jordan Raanan believes "the idea that the Giants are going all-out for Kenny Golladay at all costs is incorrect."
"Not the impression I'm getting," Raanan tweeted. "Teams seem to have questions about him and interested only at certain price points."
Golladay appears to be in no rush to sign with a team, either. He told ESPN's Josina Anderson on Monday that he's "being patient right now" and "just enjoying the process."
Wherever he ends up, he'll look to prove he can be a Pro Bowl-caliber player, as he was in 2019. That season, he had 65 receptions for 1,190 yards and 11 touchdowns in 16 games. In five games in 2020, he had 20 catches for 338 yards and two touchdowns.
Golladay isn't the only top-tier wide receiver still on the free-agent market. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Will Fuller V and Curtis Samuel are among the best playmakers who have yet to agree to deals with teams.
On Tuesday, ESPN's Diana Russini said she heard from a free-agent wide receiver that the market for receivers is "really bad right now." However, once one of these receivers signs, perhaps that will lead to all of them quickly agreeing to deals as teams look to avoid missing out on adding a top playmaker.
Whether or not Golladay signs soon could come down to the finances, based on a recent report by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
"Both free agency and the draft are deep at receiver, and in a shrinking salary cap environment, teams appear to be balking at Golladay's asking price given his lack of consistent production during his four seasons in Detroit," he wrote.
The Giants aren't the only team that has been involved in Golladay rumors. According to ESPN's Cameron Wolfe, the Miami Dolphins also "have been in on" the Chicago native. They are looking to add a receiver to a group that already includes DeVante Parker.