With the offseason about to get into full swing, the Giants.com crew looks at the major storylines for the team heading into 2023:
John Schmeelk: How do the Giants take the next step? Let's have GM Joe Schoen explain where the Giants are in the NFL hierarchy, and whether there is still a gap between them and the Eagles.
Said Schoen: "Yeah, I know Philly more intimately. And, yeah, I would say yes - there's a talent gap there that we need to close, and to me, it's the NFC East. I mean, we were 1-5-1 against the NFC East. If you win the division, the rest takes care of itself. So, that's always going to be a goal of ours: to close that gap and be NFC East champs. That's the goal, and that's what we're going to work towards."
In the NFL this season, there were 16 teams that finished with between seven and nine wins. That's half the league! From season to season, usually half the teams that make the playoffs can change from year to year. Every one of those teams will be trying to improve this off-season, and the Giants will be no different. First, they have to bring back their best players, but someone else will cover that in the contributions below. So, how will the Giants add to the roster?
There are three ways: trade, free agency, and the draft. Trades for upper echelon players are usually pricey when it comes to draft capital, so take that off the table. Free agency can cost a big chunk of salary cap space, but the Giants should have some room to do business in that area. The team must also be prudent and plan for the future with young cornerstones like Dexter Lawrence, Xavier McKinney, and Andrew Thomas coming off their rookie contracts within the next two seasons. A team can't fill every hole in free agency, which leaves the draft.
The Giants have nine draft picks right now, including extra picks in Rounds 3 and 7. They could score a couple of extra compensatory picks late on Day 3, too. With a young team, and the organization still in the early years of a new regime, the draft is the way to build the team. The Giants don't pick until No. 25 overall, so it will be a bit tougher than in past years to find true impact players. Despite that disadvantage, it will still be the main avenue for the team to build out the roster.
It does not appear to be as strong of a wide receiver class as in past years, but good players at that position can often be found well into say Day 2, and potentially into Day 3. It is a strong draft at cornerback, which could make that an interesting target at the end of the first round. Or how about an inside linebacker? They could get the first one off the board. It will be fun to see what positions they target in free agency versus the draft as the off-season moves forward, but it is way too early to know that now.
Dan Salomone: Before they "close that gap" with outside additions, the Giants have decisions to make in-house. Several prominent Giants players are unrestricted free agents, notably Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. Like he said in both his introductory press conference and season-ending media session a year later, general manager Joe Schoen knew the "cupboard wasn't bare" and 2022 bore that out. The Giants expressed hey want both players back, but all parties involved know there is a business side to it.
"Everybody is going to step back, take the emotion out of it, evaluate the roster and then, again, we've got to operate under the salary cap," Schoen said. "How are you going to divvy up? How are we going to create the roster? What are the priority positions, and how are we going to move forward?"
This storyline is the first domino that sets the next six months into place.
Re-live the season with the best photos from the Giants' 2022 playoff campaign.
Leonard Williams (99)
Daniel Jones (8)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
Richie James (80) Darius Slayton (86)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Darius Slayton (86)
Head Coach Brian Daboll
Adoree' Jackson Dane Belton
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Daniel Jones (8)
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (82) catches a 2 point conversion during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Xavier McKinney (29)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Saquon Barkley (26) Matt Breida (31) Nick Gates (65)
Carter Coughlin (52)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Xavier McKinney (29), Adoree' Jackson (22)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) makes a touchdown catch during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Jihad Ward (55)
Saquon Barkley (26), Daniel Jones (8)
Sterling Shepard
New York Giants safety Landon Collins (21) during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Micah McFadden (41), Dane Belton (24), Julian Love (20)
Landon Collins (21)
Jihad Ward (55)
Daniel Bellinger David Sills V
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Dexter Lawrence
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley Mark Glowinski Daniel Bellinger
Daniel Jones (8)
Julian Love (20)
Graham Gano (9), Casey Kreiter (58)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Mark Glowinski (64), Jon Feliciano (76)
Jihad Ward (55)
Julian Love (20)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Darnay Holmes (30), Adoree' Jackson (22), Tony Jefferson (36), Julian Love (20), Tomon Fox (49)
Daniel Jones (8)
Cor'Dale Flott (28), Adoree' Jackson (22), Oshane Ximines (53)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Daniel Bellinger (82), Kenny Golladay (19)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Dane Belton (24)
Cor'Dale Flott (28), Adoree' Jackson (22)
Darnay Holmes Julian Love Dane Belton
Ryder Anderson, Dane Belton (24), Leonard Williams (99), Tomon Fox (49), Dexter Lawrence (97), Jaylon Smith (54)
Cor'Dale Flott (28), Adoree' Jackson (22), Oshane Ximines (53)
Jaylon Smith (54), Dane Belton (24), Adoree' Jackson (22), Julian Love (20), Leonard Williams (99), Fabian Moreau (37), Nick McCloud (44), Xavier McKinney (29)
Saquon Barkley
Xavier McKinney (29)
Cor'Dale Flott (28), Adoree' Jackson (22)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Saquon Barkley
Jihad Ward (55)
Saquon Barkley (26), Daniel Jones (8)
Jaylon Smith (54)
Darius Slayton (86)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Jihad Ward (55)
Dexter Lawrence (97), D.J. Davidson (98)
Richie James (80)
Nick Williams (93)
Saquon Barkley (26), Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Jamie Gillan (6), Graham Gano (9)
Daniel Jones (8), Saquon Barkley (26)
Mark Glowinski (64), Jon Feliciano (76), Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Ben Bredeson (68), Mark Glowinski (64), Jon Feliciano (76)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Julian Love (20)
Adoree' Jackson (22), Aaron Robinson (33), Nick Williams (93), Tae Crowder (48), Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), Dexter Lawrence (97), Justin Ellis (71)
Micah McFadden (41), Azeez Ojulari (51)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Tanner Hudson (88), Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Daniel Jones (8)
David Sills V (13), Daniel Bellinger (82), Tanner Hudson (88)
Saquon Barkley (26), Sterling Shepard (3)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Saquon Barkley (26), Matt Breida (31)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26), Sterling Shepard (3)
Jihad Ward (55)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Head Coach Brian Daboll
Saquon Barkley (26)
Nick Williams (93), Oshane Ximines (53), Julian Love (20)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Nick Williams (93), Oshane Ximines (53), Julian Love (20)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Julian Love (20), Cor'Dale Flott (28)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26), Jon Feliciano (76)
Richie James (80)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Nick McCloud (44), Julian Love (20)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Evan Neal (73)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Gary Brightwell (23), Matt Breida (31)
Darius Slayton (86)
Evan Neal (73)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Dexter Lawrence (97), Tae Crowder (48)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Xavier McKinney (29), Darnay Holmes (30)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Dane Belton (24), Jihad Ward (55)
Jihad Ward (55)
Justin Ellis (71)
Jaylon Smith (54), Adoree' Jackson (22), Julian Love (20)
Chris Myarick (85), Chris Myarick (85), Oshane Ximines (53), Cam Brown (47), Gary Brightwell (23)
Julian Love (20)
Micah McFadden (41), Dane Belton (24). Julian Love (20), Fabian Moreau (37)
Jihad Ward (55), Tae Crowder (48), Micah McFadden (41)
Dexter Lawrence (97), Azeez Ojulari (51)
Tyrod Taylor (2), Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8), Ben Bredeson (68)
Daniel Jones (8)
Xavier McKinney (29), Fabian Moreau (37)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8), Daniel Bellinger (82)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Daniel Jones (8), Daniel Bellinger (82)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Jon Feliciano (76), Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Chris Myarick (85), David Sills V (13)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Saquon Barkley (26), Jon Feliciano (76)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Carter Coughlin (52), Jason Pinnock (27), Cam Brown (47), Jamie Gillan (6)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Jihad Ward (55)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Brian Daboll Head Coach
Julian Love (20)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Julian Love (20), Micah McFadden (41)
Jihad Ward (55), Henry Mondeaux (96)
Jihad Ward (55), D.J. Davidson (98)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Oshane Ximines (53)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Saquon Barkley (26), Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Jihad Ward (55)
Cor'Dale Flott (28), Adoree' Jackson (22), Oshane Ximines (53)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Julian Love (20)
Micah McFadden (41), Dane Belton (24), Julian Love (20)
Micah McFadden (41), Dane Belton (24), Julian Love (20), Jihad Ward (55)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Micah McFadden (41), Dane Belton (24), Julian Love (20)
Micah McFadden (41), Dane Belton (24), Julian Love (20)
Micah McFadden (41), Dane Belton (24), Julian Love (20)
Rodney Hampton during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Harry Carson and Leonard Marshall during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Samantha Morris gets emotional with her dad Joe Morris during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Kyle Rote Jr during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Rodney Hampton during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Rodney Hampton gets a hand shake from his son during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Otis Anderson walks the blue carpet to receive his Ring of Honor jacket during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Ronnie Barnes receives his ring of honor jacket from Brad Daluiso during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Otis Anderson walks the blue carpet to receive his Ring of Honor jacket during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Rodney Hampton walks the blue carpet to receive his Ring of Honor jacket during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Leonard Marshall walks the blue carpet to receive his Ring of Honor jacket during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Julian Love (20)
Matt Breida (31)
Ronnie Bones walks the blue carpet to receive his Ring of Honor jacket during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Kyle Rote Jr. walks up to receive his fathers Ring of Honor Jacket during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) intercepts a pass during a football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday October 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) intercepts a pass during a football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday October 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Julian Love (20)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday October 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) intercepts a pass during a football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday October 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Evan Neal (73)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Dane Belton (24), Xavier McKinney, Tae Crowder (48)
Nick Williams (93)
Daniel Jones (8)
ryder anderson
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Ben Bredeson (68)
Justin Ellis (71), Dexter Lawrence (97)
Leonard Williams (99)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Bob Papa speaks during the ring of honor ceremony during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
David Sills V (13), Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) during a football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday October 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Leonard Williams (99), Xavier McKinney (29), Jaylon Smith (54)
Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Saquon Barkley (26), Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
New York Giants place kicker Graham Gano (9) kicks a field goal during the first half an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
Wan'Dale Robinson
Fabian Moreau (37)
David Sills V (13)
Adoree' Jackson, Leonard Williams (99), Landon Collins (21)
Adoree' Jackson, Dane Belton (24)
Daniel Jones (8), Andrew Thomas (78)
Saquon Barkley (26), Matt Breida (31)
Julian Love (20), Darnay Holmes (30)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Darnay Holmes (30), Tae Crowder (48), Xavier McKinney (29), Nick Williams (93)
Daniel Jones (8)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Mark Glowinski (64), Tyre Phillips (79), Jon Feliciano (76), Andrew Thomas (78)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Daniel Jones (8), Casey Kreiter (58), Cam Brown (47), Graham Gano (9)
Darius Slayton (86)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Nick Williams (93), Jihad Ward (55), Adoree' Jackson (22), Julian Love (20)
Nick McCloud (44)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86), Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Wan'Dale Robinson
Darius Slayton Wan'Dale Robinson
Matt Breida
Darius Slayton
Daniel Jones (8)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Mark Glowinski (64), Saquon Barkley (26), Tanner Hudson (88)
Tomon Fox (49)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Wan'Dale Robinson (17), Darius Slayton (86)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Daniel Jones (8), Saquon Barkley (26)
Leonard Williams (99)
Daniel Jones (8)
Andrew Thomas (78), Lawrence Cager (83), Tyre Phillips (79), Daniel Jones (8), Jamie Gillan (6), Chris Myarick (85)
Julian Love (20), Fabian Moreau (37)
Jihad Ward (55)
Leonard Williams (99)
Leonard Williams (99)
Daniel Jones (8)
Julian Love (20)
Nick Williams (93)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Daniel Jones (8), Tanner Hudson (88)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Dane Belton (24)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Jason Pinnock (27)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Jon Feliciano (76)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
Daniel Jones (8), Daniel Bellinger (82)
Xavier McKinney (29), Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Saquon Barkley Mark Glowinski Daniel Bellinger
Jihad Ward (55)
Leonard Williams (99)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Daniel Jones
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Nick Williams (93), Oshane Ximines (53), Julian Love (20)
Daniel Jones (8), Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Head Coach Brian Daboll
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Landon Collins (21)
Jihad Ward (55)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Jihad Ward (55)
Cor'Dale Flott (28), Adoree' Jackson (22), Oshane Ximines (53)
Cam Brown (47)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Xavier McKinney (29), Fabian Moreau (37)
Jon Feliciano (76), Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Carter Coughlin (52), Jason Pinnock (27), Cam Brown (47), Jamie Gillan (6)
Daniel Jones (8)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
Xavier McKinney (29), Adoree' Jackson (22)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
Xavier McKinney
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) during a game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
Jason Pinnock
Jason Pinnock
Saquon Barkley
Tyre Phillips
Graham Gano Jamie Gillan
Matt Breida (31)
Dexter Lawrence Leonard Williams Oshane Ximines
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
Julian Love
Jihad Ward
Darnay Holmes Jaylon Smith
Dexter Lawrence
Gary Brightwell (23)
Saquon Barkley
Jaylon Smith
Saquon Barkley
Daniel Jones (8)
Jihad Ward (55)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Leonard Williams
Leonard Williams
Daniel Jones
Landon Collins (21) Tony Jefferson (36) Zyon Gilbert (38) Leonard Williams (99) Xavier McKinney (29)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Lawrence Cager, Kenny Golladay
Azeez Ojulari (51) Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Landon Collins (21)
Casey Kreiter (58)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Gary Brightwell (23)
Jaylon Smith (54)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Graham Gano (9)
Jaylon Smith (54)
Micah McFadden (41)
Tony Jefferson (36)
Vernon Butler (91)
Ryder Anderson (90)
Nick McCloud (44)
Tony Jefferson (36)
Zyon Gilbert (38) Gary Brightwell (23)
Jason Pinnock (27)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Landon Collins (21)
Marcus Johnson (84)
Richie James (80)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Jihad Ward (55), Leonard Williams (99)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Zyon Gilbert (38)
Xavier McKinney (29) Dexter Lawrence (97)
Zyon Gilbert (38) Tony Jefferson (36)
Daniel Jones (8)
Richie James (80)
Isaiah Hodgins
Oshane Ximines (53)
Saquon Barkley (26), Daniel Jones (8)
Jason Pinnock (27)
Daniel Jones (8)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Adoree' Jackson (22), Dane Belton (24)
Leonard Williams (99)
Graham Gano (9)
Matt Breida (31)
Landon Collins (21)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Darius Slayton (86)
Darius Slayton (86)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Richie James (80)
Jamie Gillan (6)
Darius Slayton (86)
Jaylon Smith (54), Darnay Holmes (30)
Henry Mondeaux (96), Oshane Ximines (53)
Gary Brightwell (23)
Darius Slayton (86)
Julian Love (20)
Daniel Jones (8)
Richie James (80)
Richie James (80)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Daniel Jones (8)
Richie James (80)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Landon Collins (21)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Leonard Williams (99)
Cor'Dale Flott (28), Azeez Ojulari (51)
Gary Brightwell (23)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darnay Holmes (30),
Jamie Gillan (6)
Jihad Ward (55)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Nick McCloud (44)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Evan Neal (73)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Darius Slayton (86)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Leonard Williams (99), Dexter Lawrence (97)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Gary Brightwell (23)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Ryder Anderson (90)
Cor'Dale Flott (28), Micah McFadden (41)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Jaylon Smith (54)
Daniel Jones (8)
Nick McCloud (44)
Tony Jefferson (36), Zyon Gilbert (38)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Daniel Jones (8)
Tyre Phillips (79), Evan Neal (73)
Darius Slayton (86)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Gary Brightwell (23)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Darnay Holmes (30), Julian Love (20)
Julian Love (20)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Jaylon Smith (54)
Daniel Jones (8)
New York Giants linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Richie James (80)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Chris Myarick (85)
Richie James (80)
Gary Brightwell (23)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Jaylon Smith (54), Tony Jefferson (36), Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Tony Jefferson (36), Darnay Holmes (30)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Azeez Ojulari (51), Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Saquon Barkley (26), Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
Nick McCloud (44)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Micah McFadden (41)
Oshane Ximines (53), Jaylon Smith (54), Dexter Lawrence (97), Micah McFadden (41), Leonard Williams (99)
Fabian Moreau (37)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
New York Giants cornerback Jason Pinnock (27) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants safety Landon Collins (21) during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Saquon Barkley (26)
New York Giants cornerback Rodarius Williams (25) intercepts a pass during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (82) and Daniel Jones (8) during a NFL football game against the against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday January 1, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during a NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday November 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants wide receiver Richie James (80) makes a catch during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during a NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday November 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday November 20, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) during a NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday November 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Nick Vannett (89) during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (82) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) makes a touchdown catch during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) runs with the ball during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants cornerback Fabian Moreau (37) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a NFL football game against the against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday January 1, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a NFL football game against the against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday January 1, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) during a NFL football game against the against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday January 1, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during a NFL football game against the against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday January 1, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday November 20, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during a game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday November 20, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8)
New York Giants running back Gary Brightwell (23)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Leonard Williams (99)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Jihad Ward (55)
Daniel Jones (8)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Jihad Ward (55)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Jaylon Smith (54)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Jamie Gillan (6) Graham Gano (9)
Lawrence Cager (83) HC Brian Daboll
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
HC Brian Daboll
Lance Medow: Clearly, how the Giants approach their own scheduled free agents including Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley and Julian Love, will top the list but wide receiver is a spot to watch given they can use both the draft and free agency to bolster that spot. Isaiah Hodgins' strong campaign proved to be a pleasant surprise and will more than likely factor into their future plans as he's an exclusive rights free agent. On the flip side, Richie James, Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard are unrestricted free agents. James led the team in receptions, Slayton receiving yards and Shepard missed the bulk of the year due to a torn ACL he suffered in Week 3.
Although they may consider bringing back some of those internal options, the draft likely will be Joe Schein's main tool to address this position. When you look at recent NFL history, many first-year wideouts immediately contributed and part of that is because wide receiver allows for a relatively smooth transition from college to the pros. Case in point, Garrett Wilson of the Jets, the Saints' Chris Olave and Jahan Dotson of the Commanders are just a few examples from last year's draft class that produced throughout the season. Even Wan'Dale Robinson showed some flashes for the Giants before suffering a season-ending torn ACL in Week 11. He'll be another prospect the Giants can further tap into in 2023 as he gets more and more comfortable within the system.
The Giants will have to use a bulk of their salary cap space to retain some of their key weapons, including the most important position - quarterback. When you take that into consideration and the fact that this year's free agent wide receiver class doesn't showcase many dominant number ones, the most practical game plan is to rely on the draft and continued development of young players at that position.
Matt Citak: The Giants enter the 2023 off-season with several holes to fill on the roster. With cap space and currently nine picks in the upcoming draft (that number could increase based on compensatory picks), Joe Schoen is in a great position to add talent at various spots. Since the wide receiver position has already been discussed by Lance, let's take another key area that Schoen and the front office will have to address this off-season - inside linebacker.
The Giants finished the season with six inside linebackers on the roster, three of which are headed toward free agency. Landon Collins, Jaylon Smith and Jarrad Davis, none of whom began the season with the team, are set to become unrestricted free agents. This leaves Cam Brown, Carter Coughlin and Micah McFadden as the only inside linebackers on the roster. As we know, Brown and Coughlin have developed into perhaps the team's two best special teams players, with each one playing 85 percent of the team's ST snaps this season (398 snaps each). Although each have carved out key roles on the team, neither one has contributed much on defense. Brown played just three defensive snaps this season, while Coughlin totaled six. McFadden saw a lot more playing time on defense as he was on the field for 39 percent of the team's defensive snaps (435). Nonetheless, it's clear the Giants will have to add numerous linebackers over the next few months.
Unlike the wide receiver position, there are plenty of talented linebackers currently set to hit free agency at the start of the new league year in March. The group includes Buccaneers LB Lavonte David, Titans LB David Long and Bills LB Tremaine Edmunds, all of whom land on NFL.com's Top 51 free agents list, in addition to guys such as Bengals LB Germaine Pratt, Colts LB Bobby Okereke and Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch. It's safe to say the linebacker position is one that is filled with a lot of players set to hit free agency who could contribute significantly to the Giants' defense in 2023. This, in turn, would allow the Giants to target other positions of need, such as wide receiver or cornerback, in the early parts of the draft.
