My New York Giants Free Agent Wish List

With free-agency almost upon us, I thought it'd be fun to make a "wish list" of free agents that I'd like to see on my New York Giants.

Let me first start with some guys that were with the Giants last year.  If I'm being honest, there aren't many that I would want back.  New York's big free agent is of course Jason Pierre Paul, and I just read that the Giants placed the franchise tag on him, so that sort of takes the wind out of my sails.  What I will say, though, is that I don't know if I would have done that.  After having a breakout year in 2011 with 16.5 sacks, he's battled injuries and mediocrity the last couple of seasons before sort of returning to form last year.  I say "sort of" because he had 9 of his 12.5 sacks in the last 5 games of the season.  What's up with that?  Did he finally get healthy?  Did he just figure things out?  Was it the soft schedule?  Or was he just trying to get paid this upcoming season?

Doesn't matter the reason now, because he is getting paid.  A lot.  By using the tag, the Giants owe Pierre Paul almost $15 million.  I'm sure they don't want to take that hit, so even though I don't agree with it, I'm sure they'll try to sign him to a long term deal. 

One guy from the Giants that I would definitely like to see back is Antrel Rolle, but it would have to be at the right price.  Rolle will turn 33 next season, so a long term deal is off the table, but 3 years shouldn't be out of the question.  From what I've read and heard, it sounds like he's willing to work with New York to get a fair contract for both sides.  It would be nice to see him play his natural "safety" spot if New York's cornerbacks could finally stay healthy.  Which leads me to...

Walter Thurmond III.  He missed all but 2 games last year, leaving a huge void at the nickel-cornerback slot.  That's been the case for at least the last 2 years for the Giants.  Injuries, especially in the defensive backfield, have really hampered them.  And for whatever reason, the cornerback spot is always the most ravaged.  That's why it's important to bring back Thurmond.  Pairing him with Prince Amukamara and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie would be huge for New York.  A good/healthy secondary will help their pass-rushers have an extra second or so to get to the quarterback.  So sign him and keep your fingers crossed that he stays healthy.

Last, but not least, is Henry Hynoski.  Not only does he have one of the best names in football, but he's a hell of a blocker.  Sounds like a win-win to me.  Bring back the Hynocerous!

Now let's move on to some other teams' free agents.


Orlando Franklin or Mike Iupati - Offensive Line

The Giants need help on the offensive line, that's no secret.  So why not try and grab one of the better linemen in free-agency?  By signing one of these guys, you suddenly don't have to consider offenseive line with your #9 draft pick.  That opens things up completely.

Mark Ingram - RB

I know, they just signed Rashad Jennings and drafted Andre Williams last year, but last season Mark Ingram showed what he can do when he finally gets touches.  I actually really wanted the Giants to draft him back in 2011.  To me, he's been underutilized in New Orleans until last year, when they let him run 226 times (though mainly because of injuries).  So he's got fairly fresh legs.  Plus he can provide the pass catching skills of Jennings and the power running of Williams by himself, making those guys great change-of-pace players.   

Torrey Smith - WR

There are several receivers that I would give my left nu...arm to see in a Giant's uniform next season, but in all likelihood they'll all be tagged.  New York has found its true #1 in Odelle Becham Jr., and assuming he can come back healthy, they have their slot man in Victor Cruz.  So why not bring in a guy who can stretch the field?  Hello, Torrey Smith.  He's not going to give you 100 catches or even 1000 yards (he only did that once), but I think he'd be a perfect complement to Beckham Jr. and Cruz.  He could draw coverage away from those other guys.  Or if they're double covered, use his speed to take advantage of single coverage.  Either way you slice it, it sounds like a good signing.

Brian Hartline/Michael Crabtree - WR

Brian Hartline would be insurance if Cruz doesn't come back healthy, or misses more time.  He's got good hands and could work the middle of the field.  Crabtree would be a risk/reward type of signing.  He's battled plenty of injuries, but still has good skills.  Plus, he's never played with a quarterback of Manning's caliber, so it'd be interesting to see what he could do with a 4000 yard passer.  However, I'd only go after him if they can't get Torrey Smith.

Ndamukong Suh - DT

I know, the guy is an ass and seems like a dirty player, thus making him a dirty ass.  But he's soooooo good.  He'll probably be out of the Giants' price range, but holy cow would he toughen up this defense.

Brandon Graham/Pernell McPhee/Sean Weatherspoon - OLB/DE

The Giants need pass-rushing help, and that's where Graham or McPhee would come in.  I have to admit, I still don't know much about McPhee, but Baltimore has a knack for drafting linebackers, so I'll almost always take someone from their squad.  Graham on the other hand was a Michigan man, and a good one at that, so I'm somewhat familiar with him.  He played d-end in college and would probably go back to that spot on the Giants, which could make him more comfortable and possibly more effective.  As for Weatherspoon, he sustained an injury while recovering from another, so that's never good.  He's only played in 7 games the last 2 seasons, but is a great all-around linebacker when healthy.  He's got experience playing inside too, which could come in handy if/when Jon Beason gets hurt yet again. 

David Harris - ILB

Another Michigan man.  Doesn't have blazing speed, but is smart, instinctive and a tackling machine.  He actually reminds me of Antonio Pierce.  A guy that can be the quarterback of the defense.  The last time the Giants had a guy like that with Steve Spagnuolo as defensive coordinator they won a championship.  Ooh, I just got goosebumps.

Those are the names that stand out to me that I feel would greatly help the Giants.  Can they sign all of them?  Of course not, what's wrong with you?  But if they could bring in a couple of them, it should help get them back to being a playoff team.