Numerous individuals are under contract with the New York Giants for at least one more year, but that doesn’t mean they’ll suit up in 2021.
Like any NFL team that recently finished with just six wins and missed the postseason for the fourth consecutive year, the New York Giants will need to make adjustments this offseason. While these certain alterations could encompass a multitude of aspects, some of the more important ones will involve changes in and around the roster.
The Giants employ a number of pending free agents who they’ll need to address. However, there are also various non-pending free agents who the organization can still move off of heading into 2021. Whether it be because of past on-field performances or future price, Big Blue could certainly part ways with each of the following players, all of whom are still under contract for at least one more season.
WR Golden Tate
After inking a four-year deal in 2019, Golden Tate possesses a potential opt-out of his contract ahead of next year, and it looks like his future in East Rutherford may be in doubt. This comes in spite of the fact that he would carry dead cap hits of $4.7 million and $2.4 million respectively in 2021 and 2022.
The veteran wideout has been unproductive for much of his Giants tenure and missed nine games in two years — over half a season. In 2020, he notched his fewest number of single-season receptions (35) and yards (388) since the 2011 campaign. His catches-per-game and yards-per-game rates (2.9 and 32.3) were additionally his lowest marks since 2011.
Taking that into account, along with the “throw me the damn ball” fiasco and PED suspension to commence the 2019 season, the Giants may look to move on from Tate. Besides, they may not have a concrete role for him next year if they decide to snag a wide receiver in free agency and/or the upcoming draft’s opening round.
TE Evan Engram
Evan Engram has one year remaining on his current rookie contract after the organization exercised his fifth-year option in 2020, and up to this point, it’s safe to say the former first-rounder has been a disappointment.
The young tight end dropped 11 balls in 2020 for a drop rate of 10.1%. Six of the 11 picks thrown by the Giants this season were on balls targeted for Engram and a number of his drops became legitimate drive killers.
The Giants would be better off trading than releasing him. They should certainly see if they can get something in return especially if his 2020 Pro Bowl bid may potentially increase his trade value.
TE Levine Toilolo
Levine Toilolo is a mere role player for the Giants, primary serving as a blocking tight end. Regardless, he’s not a superb aspect of the offensive unit nor a legitimate playmaker whatsoever.
He has a potential opt-out of his contract this offseason and carries no dead cap for 2021, so it wouldn’t really be a detriment if the Giants were to cut him.
Unless the team believes he truly fits in well with Jason Garrett’s offense, Toilolo could be gone ahead of 2021.
C Spencer Pulley
Entering the final year of his current contract, Spencer Pulley carries no dead cap in 2021. It’s not like he was a noteworthy part of the offense in 2020 either; Pulley didn’t see the field all season.
If the Giants find someone younger and fresher in one of the draft’s later rounds to sit behind Nick Gates, it could be a more beneficial and cheaper situation. Pulley’s 2021 cap hit is set to be $2.75 million.
ILB David Mayo
The Giants inked David Mayo to a three-year extension last March, a contract that includes a potential opt-out this offseason and no dead cap hits for each of the next two years.
When discussing his potential future, New York will take those details into consideration along with the fact that he doesn’t necessarily fit into defensive coordinator Patrick Graham’s schemes. Mayo started just two games in 2020 after starting in 13 the year prior and was on the field for at least 50% of the defensive snaps in just two games as well.
After seeing how the Giants utilized Mayo this season, it’s clear the coaching staff favors guys like Blake Martinez and Devante Downs over him.
DE R.J. McIntosh
After being selected in the fifth round of the 2018 draft out of Miami, R.J. McIntosh has mainly been a disappointment for the organization. He’s played in just 18 games in three years (zero games in 2020) and hasn’t contributed much at all, combining for 18 total tackles and a pair of sacks.
He’s a very replaceable player on this defense given his lack of production. Not to mention, his dead cap hit in 2021 would only be $80,368.
CB Ryan Lewis
Ryan Lewis looked like he could’ve been a consistent starter alongside James Bradberry, but injury-related issues concluded his season after he started the Week 5, 6, and 7 games for the Giants in 2020.
With no dead cap in 2021, the Giants may be better off signing a free agent to man that outside corner spot.
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