NFL free agency begins on March 9. The Giants, who currently have approximately $31.5 million in salary cap space, figure to be players in free agency as they attempt to fill some of the holes on their roster. We’re going to take a position-by-position look at how the Giants will approach free agency. Next up is tight end.
Giants under contract
*Jerell Adams: Signed through the 2019 season
*Will Tye: Signed through 2017 season
*Matt LaCosse: Signed through 2017 season
Giants TE overview
Giants free agents
*Larry Donnell
Position priority: High
The Giants desperately need an upgrade at tight end after getting little production from the position in the passing game and the running game last season.
Top free agents
*Martellus Bennett (Patriots), Jared Cook (Packers), Jack Doyle (Colts), Jermaine Gresham (Cardinals), Vernon Davis (Redskins)
Second-tier free agents
*Jordan Cameron (Dolphins), Anthony Fasano (Titans), Dion Sims (Dolphins), Jacob Tamme (Falcons), Ryan Griffin (Texans)
Giants’ TE overview
Draft strategy
The Giants haven’t used a pick in the first three rounds of the draft on a tight end in general manager Jerry Reese’s 10-year tenure. That lack of investment caught up with the Giants last season, as a collection of late-round picks and undrafted free agents produced underwhelming results. This draft class presents an opportunity for Reese to reverse course, as Alabama’s O.J. Howard and Miami’s David Njoku could be targets with the Giants’ first round pick (No. 23 overall).
What to expect in the offseason
After years of neglecting the position, it’s time for the Giants to make tight end a priority this offseason. Many of the NFL’s best offenses have game-changing tight ends, while the Giants didn’t have a playmaker at the position last season.
The Giants re-signed Tye and LaCosse on cheap deals and they should provide solid depth. Adams showed potential as a rookie, but it’s not clear if he’s more than a complementary piece.
The top free agent tight ends will likely be too rich for the Giants considering their expensive needs at other positions. The draft is a bit of a crapshoot, but landing Howard or Njoku would give the Giants the weapon they desperately need at tight end. The Giants could add an affordable veteran, such as Anthony Fasano, to add competition and leadership at the position.
Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.
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