With the offseason starting to heat up, I figured it would be a good time to clean out the Giants questions in my inbox.
As always, you can send me questions any time on Twitter or via email. Here we go:
@DDuggan21 Thoughts on bringing Marshall from the Jets?
— s. (@olddirtybeckham) February 17, 2017
If the Jets cut Marshall, which is a possibility, he’d be an intriguing option for the Giants.
On the field, Marshall would be a perfect fit. He’s 6-foot-4, 230 pounds and remains effective. He had 109 catches for 1,502 yards and 14 touchdowns two years ago before a down season in 2016 as the Jets fell apart. Having Marshall facing single coverage from opponents’ second corners opposite Odell Beckham Jr. would be deadly.
Giants wide receiver overview
The questions with Marshall come off the field. He’s due $7.5 million next season in the final year of his contract. That’s a bargain for a receiver of Marshall’s caliber (just ask him), even if he does turn 33 in March. There’s no way of knowing how much Marshall would command if he’s released, but the Giants would have a valuable chip to offer because their location would allow him to continue his role as a co-host of Showtime’s “Inside the NFL”
But even if the finances and the on-field role work, there’s still the question of Marshall’s impact in the locker room. The Giants had excellent chemistry last season, while Marshall was a central figure in a toxic Jets locker room.
Marshall has matured from earlier in his career when he was a major head case. But he remains a polarizing figure, and that’s something the Giants would have to consider before adding him to their locker room, especially if it would be in some sort of mentoring role for Odell Beckham Jr.
All things considered, I think I’d pass on Marshall. The Giants can find a cheaper No. 3 receiver without the locker room concerns.
@DDuggan21 #GiantsMail I think top priorities are OL, Edge (LB/DE) and TE in that order. Assuming the free safeties are healthy.
— Robert Robinson (@robrobinson7) February 2, 2017
If I was to rank the offseason priorities, left tackle would be No. 1 without a close second. The Giants simply must add a quality left tackle after two seasons of Ereck Flowers being a turnstile.
I agree with your order in the sense that what happens with free agent defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul will have the biggest impact on the Giants’ offseason moves. If the Giants re-sign Pierre-Paul then a pass rusher becomes less of a priority, although they would still need to add depth in the draft. If Pierre-Paul leaves, then finding a replacement would be a top priority.
10-point offseason plan
Tight end is the third major priority this offseason. There needs to be an upgrade at the position, whether it’s through the draft or free agency. I think I’d roll the dice in the draft because this is a talented tight end class and I’d rather save my money in free agency for the first two priorities on this list.
Beyond these three top priorities, the right side of the offensive line, defensive tackle, a No. 3 wide receiver and linebacker are the next biggest needs. These areas will likely need to be addressed through the draft or affordable free agents.
@DDuggan21 If NYG can’t resign JPP, which DE FAs can they afford and fit into NYGs 4-3 defense? #GiantsMail
— vin (@vin_e) February 2, 2017
The good news is that any replacement for Pierre-Paul will come cheaper because he should land the biggest contract of any free agent defensive end. The bad news is that the cheaper options won’t be as good as Pierre-Paul.
Setting aside the possibility of drafting a defensive end in the first round to replace Pierre-Paul, here’s a look at some potential options in free agency with their Spotrac market value:
*Arizona’s Calais Campbell, who is arguably the next best defensive end on the market but isn’t an ideal fit because he has spent his career in a 3-4 defense: four years, $33.2 million.
*New England’s Jabaal Sheard, who had five sacks last season: five years, $44.1 million.
*Miami’s Andre Branch, who had 5.5 sacks last season: five years, $36.3 million.
*Carolina’s Mario Addison recorded a career-high 9.5 sacks last season despite starting only one game: four years, $28.6 million.
*Carolina’s Charles Johnson turns 31 in July. He appears to be on the decline and has had injury concerns in recent seasons: three years, $17.9 million.
*For comparison, Pierre-Paul’s market value is five years, $73.3 million.
This is just a sampling of the free agent market to give an idea of what else is available. The Giants could certainly choose to sign a bargain bin free agent, like New England’s Chris Long and pair him with a draft pick if they lose Pierre-Paul.
@DDuggan21 Which current QBs do you think should be in consideration as Eli’s backup for next season?
— Andrew Soliz (@nyase21) February 2, 2017
I don’t think the Giants need to be in the market for an established backup quarterback. I think the best course of action is to bring back Josh Johnson, who finished last season as the No. 2 QB, for another year on a minimum-level contract and draft a quarterback in the mid-to-late rounds. The Giants have too many needs to spend a few million dollars on a free agent backup when Eli Manning hasn’t missed a start in 13 years.
Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.
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