Three AFC standouts headline potential Giants additions in free agency
Free agency begins March 15 at 4 p.m. ET.
Positional needs: WR, LB, OL
With more than $45 million in projected cap space, GM Joe Schoen is set for a free-agent shopping spree. The team has 18 free-agent positions to fill before they release Kenny Golladay. Although most of that money should go to Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley, the Giants can still afford a few luxury purchases.
Jakobi Meyers, WR, New England Patriots
Unfortunately, free-agent receivers in 2023 are more of the dollar store variety. The Giants might be wise to wait for 2024, when Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd and Marquise Brown become available. But if New York re-signs Jones, he’ll need better weapons, and Meyers is the best option. He had six TD catches in 2022 -- not spectacular -- but no impending free-agent receiver had more. Meyers’ strong hands make him a good slot receiver. According to Pro Football Focus, his 63.2% contested catch rate puts him in the top five over the past three years.
Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Buffalo Bills
Edmunds is a tackling machine. Since joining the Bills in 2018, he has 565 tackles, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and five interceptions. Over the last two years, no team gave up fewer yards than Buffalo, and Edmunds is a big reason why. New York’s defense allowed 6,089 yards in the regular season(27th), and Philadelphia had 253 rushing yards against it in the playoffs. Edmunds could be dangerous next to Kayvon Thibodeaux and easily worth the $11 million per year it would take to get the 24-year-old.
Ethan Pocic, center, Cleveland Browns
In 2022, the Browns signed Pocic to a one-year deal to back up Nick Harris. When Harris suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first preseason game, Pocic took over and played well. In 819 snaps, he gave up one sack, drew only two penalties and helped Nick Chubb gain nearly 1,500 yards. The Browns would love to keep Pocic, but Cleveland is already $9 million over the cap. With John Feliciano and Nick Gates becoming free agents, the Giants don’t have a center signed for 2023. With a market value of about $7 million per year, Pocic could be a top-shelf option who proves to be a bargain.
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