New York Giants stock up, stock down
Giants training camp may be months away but the evaluation process never ends. Some players are up, some players are down. Here’s a look at where a few players are trending.
Stock up
Saquon Barkley, running back:
Assuming he signs his franchise tender, Giants fans can expect a highly motivated, highly productive player in 2023. After missing 18 games from 2020-2021, Barkley finally made it through a full season in 2022. His 1,312 rushing yards were fourth-best in the NFL and his 295 carries were the most of his career.
Concerning Barkley's contract, ESPN's Jordan Raanan reported that Barkley turned down an offer for just over $12 million per year but would consider a deal worth $14 million annually. If these numbers are accurate, it’s reasonable to think something can get done beyond the $10.1 million franchise tag over the summer.
Dexter Lawrence, defensive tackle:
Sexy Dexy led the Giants with 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and 68 tackles in 2022. According to Pro Football Focus, his 43 tackles resulting in a defensive stop ranked seventh among defensive tackles, while his 70 pressures in the regular season and playoffs were second only to Kansas City’s Chris Jones.
The Giants know what they have in Lawrence and had no problem signing him to a four-year, $87.5 million contract extension with $60 million guaranteed. Now Lawrence says he wants to be a Hall of Famer, a goal defensive coordinator Wink Martindale believes is completely reasonable.
“I wouldn’t put anything past him,” Martindale told Steve Serby of the New York Post. “There’s a lot of work to be done, but I think that any goal that he has, I think that’s great that he’s talking about that.”
Stock down
J.C. Hassenauer, center:
Hassenauer’s stock peaked in April when he signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract to join the Giants. The team lost John Feliciano to San Francisco and Hassenauer was expected to compete with Ben Bredeson for the vacant center position.
Then the draft happened. Luckily for New York, but unfortunately for Hassenauer, John Michael Schmitz was still available towards the end of the second round.. Regarded by most scouts as the best center in the draft, the position will be his to lose making Hassenauer somewhat expendable.
Darius Slayton, wide receiver:
With 46 catches for 724 yards, Slayton was the leading receiver among a motley crew of pass catchers in 2022. That and two touchdowns won’t get him much in 2023. The Giants re-signed Slayton to a two-year deal, but he looks to have more competition next year.
New additions include third-round pick Jalin Hyatt and free agent tight end Darren Waller. Sterling Shepard will be back as will Isaiah Hodgins and Wan’Dale Robinson, two talented players that missed significant time with injury last year.
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