New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen has done an excellent job of turning things around with the organization in no time flat. New York was in salary cap hell, operating like a rudderless ship when Schoen took over the front office from Dave Gettleman. But in just over a year on the job, things couldn’t be in much better shape.
Schoen has cleaned up the salary cap situation, not kicking the can down the road. It led to some tough roster decisions, but they needed to be made. Depth is starting to get built up along the roster, as the Giants had some money to spend this offseason to bring players into town.
Linebacker Bobby Okereke and wide receiver Parris Campbell, both formerly of the Indianapolis Colts, were their biggest signings this offseason. Acquiring tight end Darren Waller from the Las Vegas Raiders in a trade provides the offense with another big-time weapon in the passing game.
Other incremental improvements were made with depth signings such as A’Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches along the defensive line. However, in the trenches on the other side of the ball, New York could still use some reinforcements.
Nick Gates and Jon Feliciano both departed in free agency, signing with the Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers. That leaves the Giants a little thin on the interior of their offensive line, especially when taking into account the neck injury Joshua Ezeudu suffered in November.
Looking to bolster that area of the depth chart, the Giants have been predicted to sign free-agent guard Dalton Risner. It is a surprise that Risner is still available in free agency as many predicted him to sign a multi-year deal for starter-level money.
Nothing has materialized close to that, especially after his former team, the Denver Broncos, moved in another direction and signed Ben Powers to replace him. This is a situation that Schoen and the Giants should take full advantage of if they can make it work monetarily.
Risner would provide New York with some insurance and a capable starter should Ezeudu be unable to return to form. The chance to start on an up-and-coming team should put Risner in a position to earn a nice payday in 2024 as well.
Both sides would benefit greatly from getting a deal done. Bill Barnwell of ESPN believes that a one-year deal worth $5 million should get the job done.
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