The Giants had an active start to free agency, but things grinded to a bit of a halt on Friday as negotiations with wide receiver Kenny Golladay extended into their second day. Contract negotiations likely will start on Saturday.
But even after (or if) the Giants come to terms with Golladay, they still have roster holes to fill. Much of that spackling will come in the NFL Draft, but there will be avenues to improve the roster in free agency by signing useful players on bargain, one-year contracts. That’s been the Giants’ approach for many of their non-Golladay pursuits this offseason, including players like wide receiver John Ross and linebacker Reggie Ragland.
Who is still available that the Giants can sign for cheap?
Here are 15 interesting potential targets that would make sense if the price is right:
CB Gareon Conley: The Giants need an upgrade at cornerback and Conley is interesting. The former first-round pick missed all of last season with an ankle injury. If he’s healthy, the 25-year-old is worth a flier. He had 28 pass deflections in 2018-19.
WR/RB Cordarrelle Patterson: One of the best returners in NFL history and a versatile offensive weapon. Head coach Joe Judge loves him. Worth it, whether they reel in Golladay or not.
EDGE Jeremiah Attaochu: The Giants haven’t signed any outside linebackers yet, and the 28-year-old Attaochu is an intriguing player. He had five sacks in 2020 for the Broncos, his most since getting six for the Chargers in 2015.
G Forrest Lamp: Elite name. The former second-round pick is only 26. He struggled in 2020 but that was also his first season as a full-time starter. The Giants need competition at guard, especially since Shane Lemieux and Will Hernandez are the only options right now after cutting Kevin Zeitler.
G John Miller: The 27-year-old has been a starter for the Panthers, Bengals and Bills the last three seasons and is potential competition at right guard.
EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad: The 25-year-old played 56% of the snaps for Indianapolis last season even though he wasn’t a starter in any game. He graded as one of the better run-stopping edge rushers in the league on Pro Football Focus, ranking 19th of 105 edges to play at least 300 snaps. He had 25 pressures and four QB hits last season, and five sacks combined over the last two years.
S Duron Harmon: He has quite a few ties to the Giants. He played for the Patriots for seven years, crossing paths with Judge and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. He’s close friends with defensive back Logan Ryan from their time in New England and at Rutgers. He played for the Lions last year, which means senior personnel executive Kyle O’Brien knows him well. The 30-year-old is probably not a full-time starter at this stage of his career and the Giants could use some depth at safety behind Ryan-Jabrill Peppers-Xavier McKinney, who will all see significant snaps next season.
CB Rasul Douglas: The N.J. native was solid last season for the Panthers after being claimed off waivers. He was a solid — if inconsistent — outside corner for the Eagles before that. Only 26.
RB Kalen Ballage: A young, strong runner that had a couple of decent games for the Chargers last season. The Giants still have only two running backs after signing Devontae Booker. They should try to get rookies (undrafted or otherwise) but Ballage (25) can probably be signed for the minimum.
WR Isaiah McKenzie: More of an option if the Giants don’t ultimately sign Golladay. Another intriguing versatile, explosive player worth the gamble to compete with guys like John Ross and Dante Pettis.
G/T Joe Haeg: He’s not a starter-quality player but the 27-year-old has experience at guard and tackle and would add some depth.
G/C Joe Looney: The Giants tried signing him last season before he ultimately re-signed with the Cowboys. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett coached him. He’s coming off a rough year, but Looney would add depth at guard and center, at the least.
S Sean Davis: A top-notch special teams gunner that could replace Nate Ebner. He’s 27.
DL Tanoh Kpassagnon: Another flier worth taking on the defensive line, like Ifeadi Odenigbo. The 26-year-old has great size (6-7, 289 pounds) and he started 15 games for the Chiefs last season. He has 70 combined pressures the last two years.
DL DeMarcus Walker: The former Broncos second-round pick has 8.5 sacks combined the last two years playing a reserve role in Denver. He’s only 26, too.
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