Evaluating the New York Giants Free Agent Frenzy
The Giants added some much needed beef to their offensive line at the opening of free agency this week. When he took the job as general manager, David Gettleman he said that he wanted to bring in some "hog mollies" to fortify Big Blue's offensive line and he did just that.
The Giants signed former New England Patriots left tackle Nate Solder to a four-year $62 million contract. Solder is considered one of the best tackles in the NFL, having played in 98 games and all 16 games last season. For a team that had one of the worst offensive lines in the league last season, adding Solder vastly improves the group.
The Solder addition also means that the Giants could move Erik Flowers over to the right side of the offensive line - and relieve him of the pressure of protecting Eli Manning's blindside.
In addition, the Giants signed free agent guard Patrick Omameh to file a void at the guard position. While Omameh had a mixed bag at Jacksonville, he has upside and could be a nice piece should he turn the corner with the Giants.
At the very least the Giants answered some questions on the offensive line. This does not mean they won't draft a lineman next month. There are a lot of rumors the Giants could be targeting Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson with their first round pick. If they pass on him, they'll certainly address the line later in the draft.
Meanwhile, the Giants signed veteran running back Jonathan Stewart to a two-year $6.9 million contract. When healthy, Stewart is a nice change of pace back. He was part of a two-headed monster in Carolina early in his career when he split time with DeAngelo Williams. The one problem for Stewart is health -- he almost always found himself on the disabled list.
If the Giants are unable to draft Penn State running back Saquon Barkley with the second pick in the draft, at the very least Stewart is an insurance policy. However, if the Giants do get Barkley, the Giants will have a dynamic backfield with the veteran Stewart and Barkley. Talk about taking pressure off Eli Manning?
The rest of the Giants free agent frenzy was spent addressing holes at linebacker. They acquired Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree for a fourth and sixth round pick. While the Giants did restructure his contract, he is locked up for the next four years. Ogletree is not a big time sacker, but he is always in on tackles, having lead the Rams in tackles with 136 in 2016. He is a solid addition to slot into the middle of the Giants defense.
Other additions: Kareem Martin, LB, three-years - $24 million; Mark Herzlich, LB, one-year - $1.1 million; Teddy Williams, CB, one-year - $800,000; and Curtis Riley, CB, agreed to terms.
GRADE: B
The Giants addressed their offensive line woes in free agency, and added a veteran running back to the mix who is better than anyone they currently have on the roster. Adding Ogletree was a bold and fresh move for Gettleman.
The Giants signed former New England Patriots left tackle Nate Solder to a four-year $62 million contract. Solder is considered one of the best tackles in the NFL, having played in 98 games and all 16 games last season. For a team that had one of the worst offensive lines in the league last season, adding Solder vastly improves the group.The Solder addition also means that the Giants could move Erik Flowers over to the right side of the offensive line - and relieve him of the pressure of protecting Eli Manning's blindside.
In addition, the Giants signed free agent guard Patrick Omameh to file a void at the guard position. While Omameh had a mixed bag at Jacksonville, he has upside and could be a nice piece should he turn the corner with the Giants.
At the very least the Giants answered some questions on the offensive line. This does not mean they won't draft a lineman next month. There are a lot of rumors the Giants could be targeting Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson with their first round pick. If they pass on him, they'll certainly address the line later in the draft.
Meanwhile, the Giants signed veteran running back Jonathan Stewart to a two-year $6.9 million contract. When healthy, Stewart is a nice change of pace back. He was part of a two-headed monster in Carolina early in his career when he split time with DeAngelo Williams. The one problem for Stewart is health -- he almost always found himself on the disabled list.
If the Giants are unable to draft Penn State running back Saquon Barkley with the second pick in the draft, at the very least Stewart is an insurance policy. However, if the Giants do get Barkley, the Giants will have a dynamic backfield with the veteran Stewart and Barkley. Talk about taking pressure off Eli Manning?
The rest of the Giants free agent frenzy was spent addressing holes at linebacker. They acquired Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree for a fourth and sixth round pick. While the Giants did restructure his contract, he is locked up for the next four years. Ogletree is not a big time sacker, but he is always in on tackles, having lead the Rams in tackles with 136 in 2016. He is a solid addition to slot into the middle of the Giants defense.
Other additions: Kareem Martin, LB, three-years - $24 million; Mark Herzlich, LB, one-year - $1.1 million; Teddy Williams, CB, one-year - $800,000; and Curtis Riley, CB, agreed to terms.
GRADE: B
The Giants addressed their offensive line woes in free agency, and added a veteran running back to the mix who is better than anyone they currently have on the roster. Adding Ogletree was a bold and fresh move for Gettleman.
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