NY Giants 2020 OffSeason

from Jawing About the GMen · host Jace Garcia

The debate inside the Giants over Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons — worthy of the No. 4 pick? — could be one of the most hotly contested in years. Simmons played 100 or more snaps at five different defensive positions in 2019.But sources in rival organizations believe the Giants front office still is of the mindset that “position-less players” are too difficult to maximize when a stud is needed at No. 4.Even with the possibility that Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah will be available at No. 4, the Giants understand the need to add a veteran. There is optimism that things clicked for DeAndre Baker — one of three first-round picks in 2019 — late in his rookie season. Other teams are not sure he has NFL cornerback speed.The Giants’ pitch to free agent Byron Jones could include offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, Jones’ head coach with the Cowboys for the last five seasons. James Bradberry (Panthers) is another coveted option. Great debate still rages on Giants quarterback Daniel Jones’ future.Some insiders believe he was “just OK” as a rookie, with an 87.7 rating, 3,024 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a league-high 18 fumbles.One team with a multiple-time Pro Bowl quarterback in his prime included Jones on its draft board last April because of the thought he might quickly grow to beat out the starter. The same team remains very high on Jones.The Giants privately remain fully committed to Jones despite the way Judge and Dave Gettleman dodged questions. The belief is his fumbling problem is easily correctable and the quiet way he handled adversity — a nine-game losing streak, turnovers, the awkward dynamic with Eli Manning — was perfect for a pressure cooker. Although the Giants have full confidence in Daniel Jones, he is not a one-man band. He needs a backup, and Alex Tanney remains in the running.Tanney was under contract for 2020 and, not surprisingly, the Giants picked up his option for this season, The Post confirmed. Tanney will make $950,000 and count $1 million on the salary cap, if he makes the team. He signed a two-year deal worth $1.87 million before the 2019 season.Expect the Giants to prioritize cornerback in free agency one year after mistakenly failing to do so, sources said. Unrestricted in-house free agentsLeonard Williams, defensive linemanMarkus Golden, outside linebacker/defensive endMike Remmers, offensive tackleDavid Mayo, inside linebackerMichael Thomas, safetyCody Latimer, wide receiverCody Core, wide receiverCorey Coleman, wide receiverAntonio Hamilton, defensive back The key name for the Giants among their unrestricted free agents is Williams. After sending their 2020 third-round draft pick -- a top 70 pick overall -- in an already lost season -- for a contract-year defensive lineman -- all eyes will be on the next step for New York. Will Gettleman re-sign Williams to a long-term contract as one of the highest-paid defensive linemen in the NFL? Will the Giants assign Williams the transition tag (or franchise tag) and make him prove it in a new defensive system? Will they let him walk for nothing in free agency? We expect them to re-sign him long term, but the most prudent option would be to assign Williams the transition tag for the 2020 season. Free agent Markus Golden lost his greatest ally when Giants defensive coordinator James Bettcher was fired. They previously worked together with the Cardinals.A source described how Bettcher “stood on a table” to convince Gettleman to look past injury history and two correlated unproductive seasons to sign Golden to a one-year, $4.75 million (bonus included) deal.Golden (10 sacks) is expected to test the market. Bettcher is out of the NFL for now.

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