The New York Giants found themselves a little richer after tight end Darren Waller retired after June 1. The Giants have $11.625 million in cap savings for the 2024 season, with just $2.9 million in dead cap space (reflected in the number indicated previously) and $4.9 million next season. New York currently has about $12.7 million in salary cap space.
They’re not quite the robber barons of the 19th century, but they still have room to strengthen the roster now that Waller has retired. General manager Joe Schoen already had contingency plans in place for Waller’s potential departure; the additions of Jack Stoll and Chris Manhertz in free agency, combined with the fourth-round pick of Theo Johnson, give the Giants options at tight end.
Still, there are other areas of the roster that could benefit from an infusion of talent and competition. Here are six players the Giants should be interested in.
Stephon Gilmore, CB
Gilmore is 33 years old but played at an above average level for the Dallas Cowboys last season. The longtime Buffalo Bill and New England Patriots CB has played for a different team each of the last three seasons. In 2021, he had an injury-plagued year with Carolina before thriving with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022 before joining Dallas. He has played over 1,000 snaps over the past two seasons.
He allowed just a 56.8 percent catch rate last year with the Cowboys, with nine passes defensed and two interceptions. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed five touchdowns and committed six penalties. Gilmore is a safe tackle cornerback who has only missed 11 tackles in three seasons.
The Giants have question marks at cornerback opposite last year’s first-round pick, Deonte Banks. Gilmore would provide immediate support to bolster the secondary for the 2024 season. However, his signing would prevent young cornerbacks on the roster, Cor’Dale Flott in particular, from seizing a golden opportunity.
Gilmore might also be too expensive for the Giants. Spotrac.com currently pays him $9 million per year, which the Giants could afford, but his demand could increase if the cornerback’s injuries affect other teams around the league. Gilmore may also want to join a real contender, and the Giants aren’t exactly as they’re currently constructed.
Fabien Moreau, CB
Should the Giants reunite with Fabian Moreau? Maybe, and it might be more realistic than Gilmore. Moreau provided Giants and current Giants defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson 860 (Above all) starting snaps in the team’s 2022 playoff push. He is another safe cornerback with 12 passes defended over the last two seasons.
If the Giants moved back to Moreau, well, it certainly wouldn’t guarantee the veteran cornerback a starting spot, but it would provide adequate depth behind Banks and, hopefully, Flott. He signed a one-year, $1.3 million deal with the Broncos last season and provided the team with 739 snaps in 15 games (11 departures). It’s not the sexiest move, but it could come in handy, especially if the Giants are dealing with injuries.
Hassan Ridgeway, D.L.
Ridgeway has had a rough few seasons after showing flashes of potential early in his career. He was drafted in the fourth round by the Colts in 2016. He spent three years in Indianapolis then three years in Philadelphia before joining the 49ers in 2022. He played only 285 snaps in San Francisco, and suffered a calf injury made his time with Kyle Shanahan short.
Ridgeway followed DeMeco Ryans to Houston, but he played only three games and ultimately tore his Achilles tendon. He has 59 pressures and 9.5 sacks in his 995 passing snaps. Here are his tests on the 2016 combine:
That was eight years and several injuries ago. Still, the Giants should add depth along their defensive line, especially faster players who can act as gap penetrators. Most of the Giants’ defensive linemen weigh over 320 pounds. Ridgeway is a different build and offers a slightly varied skill set. His situation would make him profitable.
Emmanuel Ogbah, edge
I wrote about a potential marriage to the Giants and Ogbah last month. He may be too expensive for the Giants, but the team could certainly use his skills on the defensive front.
The 6-foot-4, 278-pound defender provided the Dolphins with 612 snaps, 35 pressures and 7 sacks in two seasons as part of his massive four-year contract extension worth $65 million. In his first two years with the Dolphins, Ogbah played over 750 snaps each season and had over 60 pressures each year. The drop in production – and contract number – led to his release earlier this offseason.
He may be looking for a deal to prove, but he’d probably have a clearer path to snaps in another situation. However, he could theoretically earn interior snaps alongside Dexter Lawrence in passing situations, although he is much more experienced in the wideout. Still, with Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari on the roster, he could fill a valuable role for the Giants, but that would likely only consist of a few hundred snaps if the team doesn’t suffer injuries.
Calais Campbell, DL/edge
I would love to see Campbell, one of the best veteran defensive linemen available, play alongside Dexter Lawrence. He’ll be 38 when the season begins, but the Giants should still consider him as an option, although he may also be looking to play with a real contender. Who better to help guide this potential pass rush full of young players than a player as experienced – and still effective – as Calais Campbell?
Campbell played 712 snaps with Atlanta last year, recording 42 pressures and 6.5 sacks. He’s still a solid run defender who can line up outside of a four-man zone, giving the Giants the flexibility to use him as an end in certain situations.
The 6-foot-8, 285-pound Campbell fills a valuable hole and would play an important role in Shane Bowen’s defense. However, he cost the Falcons seven million on a one-year deal last season. With Waller now released, the Giants could afford Campbell, but it’s fair to wonder if that’s the wisest use of the little cap space Schoen has.
Latavius Murray, RB
I know, he’s 34. I know that running back is a position reserved for young people. Still, the Giants could use a bigger running back to compete with – and/or complement – the rest of the running back room.
With the departure of Saquon Barkley, the Giants have Devin Singletary, Eric Gray, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Jashaun Corbin and Dante Miller as running backs. Gary Brightwell was recently waived an injury settlement. It’s fair to say the Giants could use another capable player at the position for added depth and, possibly, to earn a role when the regular season arrives.
Pro Football Focus lists Jashaun Corbin at 221 pounds, but he was 202 pounds at the combine in 2022. I’m not sure of his actual weight, but I can say that Murray, while close to Methuselah status for a running back ball in the NFL, is a full-bodied back who was functional in recent memory.
Murray averaged 3.8 yards per carry last year as a short-yardage back in Buffalo. He totaled 300 yards on 790 carries with four touchdowns. Prior to 2023, Murray averaged no less than 4.2 yards per carry in each season since 2018. He also spent 2.5 seasons with Giants RB coach Joel Thomas, complimenting Alvin Kamara in 2019, 2020 and 2022. the most exciting option, but he could earn a role.