The big payday the Giants expected in a low-risk trade for linebacker Isaiah Simmons came too late for anything other than increasing his value as a free agent.
Simmons clinched the game-winning pick-six in Week 11, forced and recovered a fumble in Week 16, and gave the Giants a chance to come back with a late third-down sack last week against the Rams in his third start of the season. Gave. This suggests he's finding his place in coordinator Wink Martindale's positionless defense, and his time with them may just be coming to an end.
“I treat every year like a contract year, or at least I try to,” Simmons told the Post. “I just try to take every opportunity to show off what I have.” [I’m blessed] Something to do. “
The Giants have $34.8 million in salary cap space and have some big decisions to make this offseason, with running back Saquon Barkley, safety Xavier McKinney and cornerback Adoree' Jackson all hitting free agency.
Aside from those three big names, here are other contributors who could play their final game for the Giants on Sunday for one reason or another.
free agent player
LB Isaiah Simmons
The former top-10 pick, acquired for a seventh-round draft pick in late August, has filled a niche role as a passing-down athlete, but he hasn't quite surpassed stalwart Micah McFadden as a starter in the middle. .
QB Tyrod Taylor
The need for quality backup quarterbacks is expected to be high this offseason, as many teams have had their seasons ruined by injuries. Taylor's market could drive down the Giants' price, especially if the Giants plan to compete for the draft for Daniel Jones. Losing three games to rookie Tommy DeVito was the writing on the wall.
WR Sterling Shepard
Smart fans will applaud him when his name is called for the first time on Sunday. His 90th game over eight seasons with the Giants may have been the last of an injury-plagued career, but he showed leadership through good times and (mostly) bad. He ranks sixth in team history in catches.
OLB Jihad Word
Who would have expected Ward to be third on the team with four sacks? He's well-respected in the locker room, but says nothing about his plans to play anywhere Martindale coaches. That may not be the case with the 2024 Giants.
OG Ben Bredeson
Regarded as the Giants' second-best offensive lineman entering the season, Bredeson offers much-needed durability (a team-high 947 offensive snaps) and versatility (three inside positions). However, he allowed five sacks and his overall play took a step back. He is ranked No. 75 in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.
OG Justin Pugh
The veteran savvy of Pugh, who was released from his contract in Week 5, stabilized the offensive line at its lowest point. The dependable Pugh has started 11 straight games at left tackle or left guard. All he wants to do is play for the Giants to end his career, which would take away some of his negotiating room. But can they afford to retire him?
DT Ashawn Robinson
Not only has he taken on a heavier workload since the Leonard Williams trade, but he's also been playing better as the season has progressed. If he can sign a one-year, $5 million contract for a second consecutive year, the Giants should consider him as a placeholder until their younger options develop.
WR Parris Campbell
In fact, considering he's been a healthy scratch for four straight weeks, costing him $100,000 each time, he's probably already played in his last game with the Giants. His speed and versatility seemed like a good fit for free agency. However, his role quickly faded, and he finished with just 20 catches for 104 yards.
WR Isaiah Hodgins
Hodgins (18 catches, 194 yards, three touchdowns), who looked like a bargain building block starter during a 2022 playoff run, has become yet another victim of a dormant passing attack. He's a restricted free agent, but with OverTheCap.com's projected original round bid of $2.8 million for one year, is he too rich now?
DB Nick MacLeod
Another restricted free agent. Is his versatility across the secondary (he started at outside cornerback last week) and excellence as a punt gunner worth the $2.8 million bid?
LS Casey Kreiter
He signed eight consecutive one-year contracts, including four with the Giants. He could look elsewhere if there is a special teams coaching change, but coordinator Thomas McGaughey called him the “glue” of the unit.
4 mid-round draft picks in 2020
RT Matt Peart, cornerback Darnay Holmes, and linebacks Cam Brown and Carter Coughlin were selected between the 99th and 210th picks. They played in a combined 208 games, mostly on special teams. Holmes has been in charge of 11 of the group's 17 career starts (eight after this week's part), but he has been phased out this year.
others
WR Darius Slayton
It would be a mistake to let go of Slayton, who has been consistent with 45-50 catches and 708-751 yards in four of his first five seasons, just because he could potentially save $6 million in salary cap space. right. His speed allows him to make big plays as a No. 2 receiver.
OG Mark Glowinski
The biggest addition in Joe Schon's first free agent class (three years, $18.3 million) didn't work out. Glowinski lost his starting spot after one game into his second season. He could be cut by $1.5 million on the dead cap.
OLB Azeez Ojulari
A pass rush overhaul is overdue. Are the Giants tired of Ojulari's injuries (he missed 17 games over the past two seasons)? If so, another team could be lured to trade him for the $1.58 million left on his contract year based on his past performance — 13.5 sacks in the first 24 games, this season. He had 0.5 sacks in 10 games.
