A huge part of the New York Giants rebuilding process will be to re-sign some of their key free agents. There are four, in particular, who qualify.
It has been rough being a New York Giants fan over the last two seasons. The team has a combined record of 8-24 and have been completely swept away two years in a row by their two biggest rivals in the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles.
Two-thousand-eighteen marked the fourth time in the last five seasons that the franchise has finished with double-digit losses. It’s as clear as day that the franchises need some major changes.
But in addition to the much-needed changes, it would serve the Giants well if they can re-sign some of their key free agents this offseason.
Here are the key free agents the Giants need to re-sign.
1. Landon Collins
Despite having a down year Collins was voted to the Pro Bowl for a third consecutive season, and for the fourth year in a row he led the Giants in tackles (96) despite missing the last four games of the season due to a torn labrum.
Collins presence was missed in the final four games of the season as the Giants went 1-3 in his absence, and gave up 744 passing yards and six touchdown passes in the final two games of the season.
As valuable as Collins is as a player and a leader, many are unsure if the Giants will give him a long term deal with so many needs to feel. A popular belief is that the Giants will give him the franchise tag which would be around $10.799 million. Another option is that the Giants could give Collins the transition tag which would be just under $9 million. The transitional tag would allow the Giants the opportunity to match another team’s offer.
Whether it’s giving Collins a new contract or giving him the franchise or transitional tag, the Giants need to make sure Collins is on their roster in 2019.
2. Aldrick Rosas
Rosas earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl by connecting on 32 out of 33 field goal attempts, including a franchise record 57-yard field goal in the Giants 30-27 week 13 overtime victory over the Chicago Bears. His 97 percent connect percentage only trailed Robbie Gould (97.1 percent) for best in the NFL.
The 24-year-old Rosas is an exclusive-rights free agent, which means since Rosas has only played two seasons in the NFL, they can offer him the three-year veteran minimum salary, and he’ll have to take it or leave the NFL.
Kickers as accurate as Rosas are hard to find so it’s pretty much a guarantee the Giants will re-sign him.
3. Jamon Brown
The Giants offensive surge began when they acquired right guard Jamon Brown at the end of October off waivers. Prior to Brown’s arrival, the Giants were 1-7 and were averaging 18.75 points per game. After Brown’s arrival, the team went 4-4 and averaged 27.37 points per game.
The 6-foot-4, 340-pound Brown gave the Giants a physical presence on the right side of the line that was sorely missed in the first half of the season. Now, he’s an unrestricted free agent that will be sought after by several teams just as when the Giants claimed him off waivers.
Bringing back Brown would be ideal as then they would only have to address the right tackle and center position. But the Giants have to make sure they don’t overpay for Brown who turns 26 in March. He’s a good lineman, but not a Pro Bowl caliber player.
4. Cody Latimer
A hamstring injury limited Latimer to just six games this season, but when he played he was an effective deep threat as he averaged 17.3 yards per reception. His best game of the season came in the season finale against the Cowboys where he had six receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown.
At 6-foot-2 and 217 pounds, he’s a good compliment to the 5’11 200 pound Odell Beckham Jr and the 5-foot-10, 203-pound Sterling Shepard. But the 27-year-old Latimer is also a solid kickoff returner averaging 24.6 yards per return.
He seemed to like being a Giant and has a close relationship with receivers coach Tyke Tolbert from their time with the Denver Broncos, but he may want a team where he can have a bigger role. At the right price, it would make sense for the New York Giants to bring him back since he can be a valuable member of the offense and special teams.
