The first free agent the Giants sign will be on defense.
JOHN SCHMEELK: Fact -Whoever is first really doesn't matter, but since there are so many more open spots on defense, it is the more logical choice. I would expect the Giants to pick out a few guys they really like and target them early. Whether they are on defense or offense is anyone's guess.
**>> NFL.COM'S TOP 25 FREE AGENTS**
DAN SALOMONE: Fact -
This is a coin toss. The first player signed doesn't mean a whole lot because it's a complicated process that never really ends and has countless variables. But I'll go with the defense because that's where the majority of the upcoming free agents play.
Here are the best NFL free agents for 2015, according to NFL.com
100 - WR Harry Douglas, Atlanta FalconsSIGNED WITH TITANS
99 - Safety Stevie Brown, New York Giants
98 - LB Malcolm Smith, Seattle Seahawks SIGNED WITH RAIDERS
97 - DE O'Brien Schofield, Seattle SeahawksSIGNED WITH FALCONS
96 - WR Brian Hartline, Miami DolphinsSIGNED WITH BROWNS
95 - DE Anthony Spencer, Dallas CowboysSIGNED WITH SAINTS
94 - Safety Ron Parker, Kansas City ChiefsRE-SIGNED WITH CHIEFS
93 - CB Patrick Robinson, New Orleans SaintsSIGNED WITH CHARGERS
92 - DT C.J. Mosley, Detroit LionsRE-SIGNED WITH LIONS
91 - WR Denarius Moore, Okland RaidersSIGNED WITH BENGALS
90 - TE Rob Housler, Arizona Cardinals SIGNED WITH BROWNS
89 - LB Lance Briggs, Chicago Bears
88 - CB Charles Tillman, Chicago BearsSIGNED WITH PANTHERS
87 - DE Adrian Clayborn, Tampa Bay BuccaneersSIGNED WITH FALCONS
86 - DT Ahtyba Rubin, Cleveland BrownsSIGNED WITH SEAHAWKS
85 - DT Darnell Dockett, Arizona Cardinals SIGNED WITH 49ERS
84 - RB Ahmad Bradshaw, Indianapolis Colts
83 - RB Roy Helu, Washington RedskinsSIGNED WITH RAIDERS
82 - RB Stevan Ridley, New England PatriotsSIGNED WITH JETS
81 - DT Barry Cofield, Washington Redskins
80 - Safety Tyvon Branch, Okland RaidersSIGNED WITH CHIEFS
79 - DE Karl Klug, Tennessee TitansRE-SIGNED WITH TITANS
78 - WR Hakeem Nicks, Indianaoplis Colts
77 - LB Akeem Ayers, New England PatriotsSIGNED WITH RAMS
76 - Safety Mike Admas, Indianapolis ColtsRE-SIGNED WITH COLTS
75 - DE Jarvis Jenkins, Washington RedskinsSIGNED WITH BEARS
74 - LB Ray Maualuga, Cincinnati BengalsRE-SIGNED WITH BENGALS
73 - TE Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati Bengals
72 - DT Kendall Langford, St. Louis Rams SIGNED WITH COLTS
71 - LB Brooks Reed, Houston TexansSIGNED WITH FALCONS
70 - DE Cory Redding, Indianapolis ColtsSIGNED WITH CARDINALS
69 - LB Bruce Carter, Dallas Cowboys SIGNED WITH BUCCANEERS
68 - RB Reggie Bush, Detroit LionsSIGNED WITH 49ERS
67 - DE Dwight Freeny, San Deigo Chargers
LB Mason Foster SIGNED WITH BEARS 2014 Team: Tampa Bay BuccaneersHeight: 6-1 Weight: 241 Age: 26Experience: 5th seasonNFL.com Top 100 rank: 62
65 - QB Brian Hoyer, Cleveland BrownsSIGNED WITH TEXANS
64 - Safety Kendick Lewis, Houston TexansSIGNED WITH RAVENS
63 - QB Mark Sanchez, Philadelphia EaglesRE-SIGNED WITH EAGLES
62 - CB Buster Skirne, Cleveland BrownsSIGNED WITH JETS
61 - CB Walter Thurmmond III, New York GiantsSIGNED WITH EAGLES
OG Justin Blalock
2014 Team: Atlanta FalconsHeight: 6-4 Weight: 326 Age: 31Experience: 9th seasonNFL.com Top 100 rank: 58
59 - QB Ryan Mallet, Houston TexansRE-SIGNED WITH TEXANS
58 - OG James Carpenter, Seattle SeahawksSIGNED WITH JETS
57 - WR Kenny Britt, St. Louis Rams RE-SIGNED WITH RAMS
OT Joe Barksdale
2014 Team: St. Louis RamsHeight: 6-5 Weight: 326 Age: 26Experience: 5th seasonNFL.com Top 100 rank: 53
55 - Safety Da'Norris Searcy, Buffalo BillsSIGNED WITH TITANS
54 - RB Justin Forsett, Baltimore Ravens RE-SIGNED WITH RAVENS
53 - QB Jake Locker, Tennessee TitansRETIRED
52 - OG Clint Boling, Cincinnati Bengals RE-SIGNED WITH BENGALS
51 - CB Perrish Cox, San Francisco 49ersSIGNED WITH TITANS
50 - LB Rolando McClain, Dallas Cowboys RE-SIGNED WITH COWBOYS
49 - OT Doug Free, Dallas CowboysRE-SIGNED WITH COWBOYS
48 - Safety Antrel Rolle, New York GiantsSIGNED WITH BEARS
47 - RB Shane Vereen, New England PatriotsSIGNED WITH GIANTS
46 - WR Cecil Shorts, Jacksonville JaguarsSIGNED WITH TEXANS
45 - LB Sean Weatherspoon, Atlanta FalconsSIGNED WITH CARDINALS
44 - Antonio Cromartie, Arizona Cardinals SIGNED WITH JETS
LB Brandon Spikes
2014 Team: Buffalo BillsHeight: 6-2 Weight: 255 Age: 27Experience: 6th seasonNFL.com Top 100 rank: 42
42 - DT Henry Melton, Dallas Cowboys SIGNED WITH BUCCANEERS
41 - DT Stephen Paea, Chicago BearsSIGNED WITH WASHINGTON
40 - CB Tramon Williams, Green Bay PackersSIGNED WITH BROWNS
39 - CB Davon House, Green Bay PackersSIGNED WITH JAGAURS
OL Stefen Wisniewski
2014 Team: Oakland RaidersHeight: 6-3 Weight: 315 Age: 25Experience: 5th seasonNFL.com Top 100 rank: 36
37 - LB David Harris, New York Jets RE-SIGNED WITH JETS
DE B.J. Raji RE-SIGNED WITH PACKERS 2014 Team: Green Bay PackersHeight: 6-2 Weight: 337 Age: 28Experience: 7th seasonNFL.com Top 100 rank: 33
35 - RB Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ersSIGNED WITH COLTS
34 - TE Jordan Cameron, Cleveland BrownsSIGNED WITH DOLPHINS
33 - DT Dan Williams, Arizona Cardinals SIGNED WITH RAIDERS
32 - Safety Rahim Moore, Denver BroncosSIGNED WITH TEXANS
31 - CB Chris Culliver, San Francisco 49ersSIGNED WITH WASHINGTON
30 - OG Orlando Franklin, Dever Broncos SIGNED WITH CHARGERS
29 - DE Jabaal Sheard, Cleveland BrownsSIGNED WITH PATRIOTS
28 - TE Charles Clay, Miami DolhinsSIGNED WITH BILLS
27 - RB C.J. Spiller, Buffalo BillsSIGNED WITH SAINTS
26 - RB Ryan Mathews, San Diego ChargersSIGNED WITH EAGLES
WR Michael CrabtreeSIGNED WITH RAIDERS
24 - RB Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints RE-SIGNED WITH SAINTS
23 - CB Kareem Jackson, Houston Texans RE-SIGNED WITH TEXANS
22 - LB Brian Orakpo, Washington RedskinsSIGNED WITH TITANS
21 - CB Brandon Flowers, San Diego ChargersRE-SIGNED WITH CHARGERS
20 - DE Derrick Morgan, Tennessee TitansRE-SIGNED WITH TITANS
19 - DE/OLB Brandon Graham, Philadelphia EaglesRE-SIGNED WITH EAGLES
18 - Center Rodney Hudson, Kansas City ChiefsSIGNED WITH RAIDERS
17 - DT Terrance Knighton, Denver BroncosSIGNED WITH WASHINGTON
16 - DT Jared Odrick, Miami DolphinsSIGNED WITH JAGUARS
15 - OT Brain Bulaga, Green Bay PackersRE-SIGNED WITH PACKERS
14 - DT Nick Fairley, Detroit LionsSIGNED WITH RAMS
13 - WR Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles SIGNED WITH CHIEFS
12 - OLB/DE Pernell McPhee, Baltimore RavensSIGNED WITH THE BEARS
11 - LB Jason Worilds, Pittsburgh SteelersRETIRED
10 - WR Torrey Smith, Baltimore RavensSIGNED WITH 49ERS
9 - CB Byron Maxwell, Seattle SeahawksSIGNED WITH EAGLES
DE Greg HardySIGNED WITH DALLAS 2014 Team: Carolina PanthersHeight: 6-4 Weight: 275 Age: 26Experience: 5th seasonNFL.com Top 100 rank: 6
7 - OG Mike Iupati, San Francisco 49ersSIGNED WITH CARDINALS
6 - DE Jerry Hughes, Buffalo BillsRE-SIGNED WITH BILLS
5 - RB DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys SIGNED WITH EAGLES
4- WR Randall Cobb, Green Bay PackersRE-SIGNED WITH PACKERS
3- TE Julius Thomas, Denver BroncosSIGNED WITH JAGUARS
2 - Safety Devin McCourty, New England PatriotsRE-SIGNED WITH PATRIOTS
1- DT Ndamukong Suh, Detroit LionsSIGNED WITH DOLPHINS
Free agency in the NFL is more important than any other sport.
JOHN SCHMEELK: Fiction -It can't be more important than baseball, because MLB has no salary cap and spending is only limited by a
team's willingness to pay the luxury tax and nothing else. The NFL, however, has more player turnover than most other sports, and finding a few "great value" players can really help a team in any given offseason. NFL is #2.
DAN SALOMONE: Fiction -I don't know if a salary cap makes it any less important because in sports that don't have one, like baseball, you can just throw out a lot of money and see what sticks. But I am saying "fiction" to this one just for the fact that NFL teams are built on the draft, more so than free agency. We often see football teams "win" free agency and don't even make it to the postseason.
Alabama's Amari Cooper will be the first WR taken in the NFL Draft.
JOHN SCHMEELK: Fiction -Two weeks ago I would have yelled FACT and went running to the "submit" button, but I think there's a team out there that will become infatuated by Kevin White's combine numbers and pick him before the far more pro ready Cooper.
Cooper played in a pro system at Alabama and runs great routes. If I was making the draft pick, I would go for Cooper. I think someone (Oakland, ahem, the Raiders) will pick White.
DAN SALOMONE: Fact -Kevin White definitely generated a lot of buzz at the NFL Scouting Combine, rightfully so. He put up great numbers that backed up his production in college. But I think teams will gravitate back to the Biletnikoff Award winner, Amari Cooper. "Safe" somehow becomes a bad word when it comes to the draft, but Cooper is just fine with being that. He was the best college wide receiver all season and can be plugged in on day one in the NFL.
Defensive pass interference should only be a 15-yard penalty.
JOHN SCHMEELK: Fiction -BUT I was thinking about this the other day when Troy Vincent brought it up. I have a third idea that would combine the college and NFL rules. My worry about changing it to a 15-yard penalty is that corners would just take down WRs once they are beat and give them no chance of making a catch down the field. That would be no fun for anyone. So here would be my pass interference rule:
A) Pass interference will be either a spot foul or 15 yards, whichever is the smaller of the two penalties. The penalty will also yield an automatic first down.
B) The official will be given the chance to call a Personal Foul Pass Interference Penalty, which is basically the equivalent of a clear path foul in basketball. If the interference is blatant, intentional, with the cornerback clearly beaten down the field, it becomes a spot foul. This will prevent some of the intentional interference penalties that would reduce the number of big time plays down the field we see in the NFL if the penalty was only 15 yards.
I think this option should be considered, BUT in the end, I don't want to place too many judgment calls in the hands of officials; their jobs are hard enough, so I would just leave it the way it is.
**>> READ MORE FACT OR FICTION**
DAN SALOMONE: Fiction -
I always liked the difference between college and the NFL in that regard. But what I am leaning toward is making the penalty reviewable. I understand the concern about undermining the on-field officials, but they overturn other calls anyway. Why not penalties? Pass interference can be such a difference-maker in a game. Let's get it right.
Here are the best NFL free agents for 2015, according to NFL.com
100 - WR Harry Douglas, Atlanta FalconsSIGNED WITH TITANS
99 - Safety Stevie Brown, New York Giants
98 - LB Malcolm Smith, Seattle Seahawks SIGNED WITH RAIDERS
97 - DE O'Brien Schofield, Seattle SeahawksSIGNED WITH FALCONS
96 - WR Brian Hartline, Miami DolphinsSIGNED WITH BROWNS
95 - DE Anthony Spencer, Dallas CowboysSIGNED WITH SAINTS
94 - Safety Ron Parker, Kansas City ChiefsRE-SIGNED WITH CHIEFS
93 - CB Patrick Robinson, New Orleans SaintsSIGNED WITH CHARGERS
92 - DT C.J. Mosley, Detroit LionsRE-SIGNED WITH LIONS
91 - WR Denarius Moore, Okland RaidersSIGNED WITH BENGALS
90 - TE Rob Housler, Arizona Cardinals SIGNED WITH BROWNS
89 - LB Lance Briggs, Chicago Bears
88 - CB Charles Tillman, Chicago BearsSIGNED WITH PANTHERS
87 - DE Adrian Clayborn, Tampa Bay BuccaneersSIGNED WITH FALCONS
86 - DT Ahtyba Rubin, Cleveland BrownsSIGNED WITH SEAHAWKS
85 - DT Darnell Dockett, Arizona Cardinals SIGNED WITH 49ERS
84 - RB Ahmad Bradshaw, Indianapolis Colts
83 - RB Roy Helu, Washington RedskinsSIGNED WITH RAIDERS
82 - RB Stevan Ridley, New England PatriotsSIGNED WITH JETS
81 - DT Barry Cofield, Washington Redskins
80 - Safety Tyvon Branch, Okland RaidersSIGNED WITH CHIEFS
79 - DE Karl Klug, Tennessee TitansRE-SIGNED WITH TITANS
78 - WR Hakeem Nicks, Indianaoplis Colts
77 - LB Akeem Ayers, New England PatriotsSIGNED WITH RAMS
76 - Safety Mike Admas, Indianapolis ColtsRE-SIGNED WITH COLTS
75 - DE Jarvis Jenkins, Washington RedskinsSIGNED WITH BEARS
74 - LB Ray Maualuga, Cincinnati BengalsRE-SIGNED WITH BENGALS
73 - TE Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati Bengals
72 - DT Kendall Langford, St. Louis Rams SIGNED WITH COLTS
71 - LB Brooks Reed, Houston TexansSIGNED WITH FALCONS
70 - DE Cory Redding, Indianapolis ColtsSIGNED WITH CARDINALS
69 - LB Bruce Carter, Dallas Cowboys SIGNED WITH BUCCANEERS
68 - RB Reggie Bush, Detroit LionsSIGNED WITH 49ERS
67 - DE Dwight Freeny, San Deigo Chargers
LB Mason Foster SIGNED WITH BEARS 2014 Team: Tampa Bay BuccaneersHeight: 6-1 Weight: 241 Age: 26Experience: 5th seasonNFL.com Top 100 rank: 62
65 - QB Brian Hoyer, Cleveland BrownsSIGNED WITH TEXANS
64 - Safety Kendick Lewis, Houston TexansSIGNED WITH RAVENS
63 - QB Mark Sanchez, Philadelphia EaglesRE-SIGNED WITH EAGLES
62 - CB Buster Skirne, Cleveland BrownsSIGNED WITH JETS
61 - CB Walter Thurmmond III, New York GiantsSIGNED WITH EAGLES
OG Justin Blalock
2014 Team: Atlanta FalconsHeight: 6-4 Weight: 326 Age: 31Experience: 9th seasonNFL.com Top 100 rank: 58
59 - QB Ryan Mallet, Houston TexansRE-SIGNED WITH TEXANS
58 - OG James Carpenter, Seattle SeahawksSIGNED WITH JETS
57 - WR Kenny Britt, St. Louis Rams RE-SIGNED WITH RAMS
OT Joe Barksdale
2014 Team: St. Louis RamsHeight: 6-5 Weight: 326 Age: 26Experience: 5th seasonNFL.com Top 100 rank: 53
55 - Safety Da'Norris Searcy, Buffalo BillsSIGNED WITH TITANS
54 - RB Justin Forsett, Baltimore Ravens RE-SIGNED WITH RAVENS
53 - QB Jake Locker, Tennessee TitansRETIRED
52 - OG Clint Boling, Cincinnati Bengals RE-SIGNED WITH BENGALS
51 - CB Perrish Cox, San Francisco 49ersSIGNED WITH TITANS
50 - LB Rolando McClain, Dallas Cowboys RE-SIGNED WITH COWBOYS
49 - OT Doug Free, Dallas CowboysRE-SIGNED WITH COWBOYS
48 - Safety Antrel Rolle, New York GiantsSIGNED WITH BEARS
47 - RB Shane Vereen, New England PatriotsSIGNED WITH GIANTS
46 - WR Cecil Shorts, Jacksonville JaguarsSIGNED WITH TEXANS
45 - LB Sean Weatherspoon, Atlanta FalconsSIGNED WITH CARDINALS
44 - Antonio Cromartie, Arizona Cardinals SIGNED WITH JETS
LB Brandon Spikes
2014 Team: Buffalo BillsHeight: 6-2 Weight: 255 Age: 27Experience: 6th seasonNFL.com Top 100 rank: 42
42 - DT Henry Melton, Dallas Cowboys SIGNED WITH BUCCANEERS
41 - DT Stephen Paea, Chicago BearsSIGNED WITH WASHINGTON
40 - CB Tramon Williams, Green Bay PackersSIGNED WITH BROWNS
39 - CB Davon House, Green Bay PackersSIGNED WITH JAGAURS
OL Stefen Wisniewski
2014 Team: Oakland RaidersHeight: 6-3 Weight: 315 Age: 25Experience: 5th seasonNFL.com Top 100 rank: 36
37 - LB David Harris, New York Jets RE-SIGNED WITH JETS
DE B.J. Raji RE-SIGNED WITH PACKERS 2014 Team: Green Bay PackersHeight: 6-2 Weight: 337 Age: 28Experience: 7th seasonNFL.com Top 100 rank: 33
35 - RB Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ersSIGNED WITH COLTS
34 - TE Jordan Cameron, Cleveland BrownsSIGNED WITH DOLPHINS
33 - DT Dan Williams, Arizona Cardinals SIGNED WITH RAIDERS
32 - Safety Rahim Moore, Denver BroncosSIGNED WITH TEXANS
31 - CB Chris Culliver, San Francisco 49ersSIGNED WITH WASHINGTON
30 - OG Orlando Franklin, Dever Broncos SIGNED WITH CHARGERS
29 - DE Jabaal Sheard, Cleveland BrownsSIGNED WITH PATRIOTS
28 - TE Charles Clay, Miami DolhinsSIGNED WITH BILLS
27 - RB C.J. Spiller, Buffalo BillsSIGNED WITH SAINTS
26 - RB Ryan Mathews, San Diego ChargersSIGNED WITH EAGLES
WR Michael CrabtreeSIGNED WITH RAIDERS
24 - RB Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints RE-SIGNED WITH SAINTS
23 - CB Kareem Jackson, Houston Texans RE-SIGNED WITH TEXANS
22 - LB Brian Orakpo, Washington RedskinsSIGNED WITH TITANS
21 - CB Brandon Flowers, San Diego ChargersRE-SIGNED WITH CHARGERS
20 - DE Derrick Morgan, Tennessee TitansRE-SIGNED WITH TITANS
19 - DE/OLB Brandon Graham, Philadelphia EaglesRE-SIGNED WITH EAGLES
18 - Center Rodney Hudson, Kansas City ChiefsSIGNED WITH RAIDERS
17 - DT Terrance Knighton, Denver BroncosSIGNED WITH WASHINGTON
16 - DT Jared Odrick, Miami DolphinsSIGNED WITH JAGUARS
15 - OT Brain Bulaga, Green Bay PackersRE-SIGNED WITH PACKERS
14 - DT Nick Fairley, Detroit LionsSIGNED WITH RAMS
13 - WR Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles SIGNED WITH CHIEFS
12 - OLB/DE Pernell McPhee, Baltimore RavensSIGNED WITH THE BEARS
11 - LB Jason Worilds, Pittsburgh SteelersRETIRED
10 - WR Torrey Smith, Baltimore RavensSIGNED WITH 49ERS
9 - CB Byron Maxwell, Seattle SeahawksSIGNED WITH EAGLES
DE Greg HardySIGNED WITH DALLAS 2014 Team: Carolina PanthersHeight: 6-4 Weight: 275 Age: 26Experience: 5th seasonNFL.com Top 100 rank: 6
7 - OG Mike Iupati, San Francisco 49ersSIGNED WITH CARDINALS
6 - DE Jerry Hughes, Buffalo BillsRE-SIGNED WITH BILLS
5 - RB DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys SIGNED WITH EAGLES
4- WR Randall Cobb, Green Bay PackersRE-SIGNED WITH PACKERS
3- TE Julius Thomas, Denver BroncosSIGNED WITH JAGUARS
2 - Safety Devin McCourty, New England PatriotsRE-SIGNED WITH PATRIOTS
1- DT Ndamukong Suh, Detroit LionsSIGNED WITH DOLPHINS
