The New York Giants made positive strides in 2016. But if they want to take it to the next level, they must win the offseason — again.
For the New York Giants, the 2017 season was better than many expected.Finishing under .500 for three consecutive seasons, John Mara and company decided that new blood needed to be infused as he ousted longtime coach and two-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Coughlin for offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo.
Jerry Reese, who was also on the hot seat, made the questionable decision of throwing a ton of money at free agents. He also skipped on need for potential in the first round of the draft as he selected cornerback Eli Apple over bigger needs like offensive line and linebacker, amongst others.
Fortunately, however, almost every offseason move paid off.
The combination of Olivier Vernon, Damon Harrison, and Janoris Jenkins — all of whom became rich at the hands of the Giants — helped transformed the defense from one of the worst in football history just a year ago into arguably the best unit in 2016. The underrated signings of players like Keenan Robinson and Kelvin Sheppard, too, paid off.
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The draft class was another huge boost to the roster. The aforementioned Apple took over on the outside and displayed the potential to be a shutdown cornerback. Second-round pick Sterling Shepard played like the perfect compliment to Odell Beckham Jr. Paul Perkins played like the running back of the future while BJ Goodson, Jerel Adams, and, to a lesser extent, Darian Thompson, flashed signs of potential.
Not everything went well for the Giants, though.
After looking like a brand new quarterback under McAdoo’s system, Eli Manning took a massive step back. 36 isn’t the ripest of ages, but the veteran quarterback never showed signs of regression thus far.
But the offensive woes aren’t only on Manning’s shoulders. The offensive line was an absolute mess in 2016 and the lack of a running game and legitimate pass-catching options outside of Beckham hindered the unit’s growth as well.
All in all, the Giants were a success. Their 11-5 record was the second best number in the NFC and the organization made their first postseason appearance since their Super Bowl victory back in 2011.
If the organization wants to capitalize on the positivity, this offseason will be vital. Let’s take a look what the Giants need to do before Training Camp begins this summer.
Target a Veteran Wide Receiver to Complement Beckham, Shepard
From the time Beckham was chosen by the Giants in the 2014 draft until today, Reese has failed to bring in a receiver to complement his star player’s skill set. Bringing Shepard into the fold last season was a step in the right direction but the team is still one big-bodied receiver away from making the wide receiver corps truly elite.
While names like Alshon Jeffery and Terrelle Pryor are both intriguing and natural fits, there are cheaper options on the market that can help out.
His substance abuse issues may be red flags, but someone like Michael Floyd could take some pressure off of the young duo. If he rebounds his stock with the New England Patriots, he may be willing to take a one-year, prove-it deal for 2017. Another receiver that could catch the eye of Reese is division rival Terrance Williams. The four-year veteran is an underrated option in the Dallas Cowboys offense as he’s overshadowed by Dez Bryant, Ezekial Elliot, Jason Witten, and Cole Beasley, and he may be looking for a change of scenery next season.
Unfortunately, Victor Cruz isn’t the player he once was. And if the Giants are going to take the next step in 2017, bringing in a pass catcher to help Beckham and Shepard out is the natural move. If Reese opts against bringing in someone from the free agent market, he could set his eyes on the draft …
Draft Alabama Tight End O.J. Howard
Ever since the Giants won Super Bowl XLII with fifth-round rookie Kevin Boss as their tight end, the organization believed that anyone in that position could shine in the offense.
From Boss to Jake Ballard, from Martellus Bennett to Brandon Myers, and now Will Tye, Jerell Adams, and Larry Donnell, it’s been a revolving door for years.
But that could all change if Reese takes O.J. Howard in the first round of the draft.
Suiting up for one of the best team’s in the nation has done wonders for Howard as head coach Nick Saban gets his talent as ready-made for the NFL as he can. His 6’5″, 245-pound frame rivals that of Jimmy Graham and Jordan Reed, and many scouts have compared his natural ability to those two dominant tight ends.
When looking at his stat sheet, Howard wasn’t overly impressive. After all, he caught just 45 balls for 595 yards, good for three touchdowns. He does, however, possess athleticism and natural ability unrivaled by many, making him a matchup nightmare both in the slot and when being covered by slower linebackers and smaller safeties.
While Tye has been impressive and Adams has shown potential, neither will be as good as Howard. Yes, he has some work to do with his blocking skills and technique; but with the Giants needing a true red-zone threat, he could be their best bet.
Upgrade the Offensive Line at All Costs
Going into the 2017 season, the only players who deserve spots on the offensive line are Justin Pugh, Weston Richburg, and Ereck Flowers.
Before Pugh got hurt, he was one of the best guards in football last season. Despite taking a step back, Richburg continues to show signs of being one of the top centers for the next decade. And while his position remains to be seen, the Giants have invested too much into Flowers to give up just two years after drafting him.
Other than that, however, the Giants must reinforce their front five.
If Reese doesn’t think someone like Howard deserves a first round grade, there will be a bevy of quality big men that will be on the board when the Giants are on the clock.
Garrett Bolles, starting tackle from Utah, has just one season of starting experience but has displayed strong technique and impressive strength that will translate to the next level. Alabama’s Cam Robinson has had plenty of off-field issues but the tackle is one of the most impressive players in between the lines. Lastly, Ryan Ramcyzk played both guard and tackle at Wisconsin and, if healthy, will be highly sought after.
But like Reese did last season, he shouldn’t be shy at throwing money at some quality free agents as well.
If the Giants want to target potential, trying to pry guard/tackle Luke Joeckel from the Jacksonville Jaguars or guard Larry Warford from the Detroit Lions could be an option. If they want to go down the veteran route, dumping the money trunk into Terron Armstead or Cordy Glenn‘s backyard would be a smart idea.
The Giants need to do a better job protecting Manning. Whether it’s in the draft or free agency, they need to revamp the O-Line.
Figure Out the Defensive Line Situation
On one hand, one-half — and arguably the better half — of the defensive line is locked up as the Giants have both Olivier Vernon and Damon Harrison for four more years. On the other, both Jason Pierre-Paul and Johnathan Hankins — two top-tier talents in their own right — will be a part of this year’s free agent class.
It’ll be an interesting decision for Reese. If you remember, the organization let up-and-coming defensive tackle Linval Joseph walk in free agency and he’s turned into arguably the top 4-3 interior linemen in football. The smart decision would be to retain Hankins, but a combination of history and the emergence of Jay Bromley may have the Giants thinking otherwise.
When it comes to Pierre-Paul, things get more tricky. Sure, players like Romeo Okwara and Kerry Wynn stepped up when JPP went down with a sports hernia injury. But neither player appears to be the long-term answer, making it more likely for the organization to discuss a contract with him.
In a surprise to no one, Pierre-Paul wants — and deserves — a lucrative deal. With a lack of quality free agents that match JPP’s skill set combined with more pressing needs in the draft, don’t be shocked if the team invests in their 2010 first round pick.
Stay the Course at Linebacker
This may be the most unpopular opinion but also something that needs to be addressed. For the longest time, the Giants have lacked true playmakers that played between the front and back end of the defense. Those problems were supposed to persist in 2016.
Of course, they didn’t.
Jonathan Casillas went from a special teams player to defensive captain and improved in all facets of his game. Devon Kennard finally took that next step as the “joker” of the defense and his versatility is something unmatched by any other defensive player on the roster. Robinson worked as a coverage linebacker and an effective blitzer while Sheppard was the best run-stuffer at his position.
Names like Dont’a Hightower, Lawrence Timmons, and Zach Brown may have fans salivating at the mouth but it’s unlikely they don’t re-up on a long-term deal or the franchise tag with their current teams.
Steve Spagnuolo worked his four-man rotation to a tee in 2016. With Goodson entering his second year and JT Thomas returning from injury, the Giants could, once again, find success at the linebacker position with underrated talent.
Keep Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in Blue
When cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie signed a five-year, $35 million contract with the Giants back in 2014, many thought the organization overpaid for his services.
Despite being a consistent starter while earning one Pro Bowl nod in two seasons, it appeared as though his tenure was coming to an end when the Giants selected Apple in this year’s draft. Instead of being a grumpy veteran, DRC took the change in stride and transitioned to slot cornerback so Apple could gain experience on the outside.
While he did struggle at the position last year, Rodgers-Cromartie looked like an entirely different player in 2016. The veteran cornerback collected 46 total tackles, 19 passes defended, one sack, one forced fumble and tied a career high with six interceptions. DRC’s efforts turned into a second-team All-Pro selection.
Jenkins was arguably the best cornerback in football last season. Despite struggles, the 21-year-old Apple flashed signs of brilliance. If healthy, Darian Thompson looks like the ball-hawking safety the Giants crave while Landon Collins played like the next Troy Polamalu.
But when it comes to the NYPD, DRC is the heart and soul of the unit. A sure-fire candidate to be cut, his place on the 2017 Giants is now vital.