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Three free agents Giants should consider
Free agent EDGE Yannick Ngakoue IndyStar Staff-USA TODAY Sports

Three remaining free agents the Giants should consider signing

Although the New York Giants have had an excellent offseason on paper, there are still plenty of free agents available who could contribute to their 2023 roster. Here are three players that GM Joe Schoen should consider signing: 

Yannick Ngakoue, defensive end 

Despite being a quality pass-rusher nearly every year of his career, Ngakoue has not played on a team during consecutive seasons since his stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coming off a team-leading 10-sack season with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021, Ngakoue was subsequently shipped off to Indianapolis, where he recorded 9.5 sacks during the 2022-23 campaign (the most by a Colt last season).

Ngakoue missed the last two games of the regular season after suffering a throat injury which required surgery, likely contributing to why he remains unsigned. 

New York already boasts a talented defensive front featuring All-Pro Dexter Lawrence II, Leonard Williams and Kayvon Thibodeaux, but its 41 sacks last season prompted Schoen to prioritize depth in the offseason. The Giants' most notable pickups have been defensive tackles Rakeem Nuñez-Roches and A'Shawn Robinson. While that pair should provide a boost against the run, the franchise still lacks an additional edge defender. 

Should Ngakoue signs with the Giants and generate half of the production he has delivered over the last few seasons, the team would have the potential for a top-10 defense this comingseason. Additionally, Ngakoue's experience playing under Giants DC Don "Wink" Martindale from their days with the Baltimore Ravens would make for a seamless transition to New York.

Adrian Amos, safety

Giants fans might remember Amos as the player RB Saquon Barkley leaped over during one of the most memorable moments of his Rookie of the Year-winning 2018 season.  

After losing team captain Julian Love in free agency, the Giants must figure out who will line up alongside Xavier McKinney in the defensive backfield. For now, Jason Pinnock, a fifth-round pick by the Jets in 2021, is penciled in as starter. New York also expects ex-Commander Bobby McCain, a cap casualty this offseason, to see some action.

While it's probably too late for the Giants to acquire an impact safety such as the Arizona Cardinals' Budda Baker, a depth signing like Amos could be just what they need. Last season, Amos finished second on the Green Bay Packers in tackles (102) while recording one interception and five pass breakups. 

DeAndre Hopkins, wide receiver 

By far, the most impactful move that the Giants could make would be to sign five-time Pro Bowler Hopkins, regardless of it being the unlikeliest move to happen. 

It is well-known that New York offered up a lackluster wide receiver corps last season. Its 27 dropped passes were the sixth-most in the NFL, a statistic which becomes even more troubling when considering the offense averaged the eighth-fewest pass attempts per game (30.6) in the NFL. 

New York has added several new targets for QB Daniel Jones this offseason, signing multiple free agents, drafting Tennessee's Jalin Hyatt and trading for TE Darren Waller. The Pro Bowl tight end will work as the team's best offensive talent outside of Barkley so long as he stays healthy, which is no sure thing.

Entering his age-31 season, Hopkins continues to be one of the most consistent wideouts in the NFL. Last season, he played in just nine games and still managed to lead Arizona in receiving yards  (717). Should Hopkins sign with New York, he, Waller and Barkley would be a dangerous trio for opposing defenses to scheme against.

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