Five potential Giants targets in NFL free agency
Clockwise, from top left: Justin Fields, Kevin Zeitler, Paulson Adebo, Brandon Scherff, Javon Hargrave. Credit: AP
The Giants enter free agency with big needs and good financial flexibility. It’s no secret that a quarterback tops their shopping list, and they need at least one veteran while eyeing another QB in the draft.
The good news is the Giants are $45.6 million under the salary cap, according to overthecap.com. But in a must-win year after last season’s 3-14 mess, will they spend big on a quarterback or seek a cheaper option and spend more money on other needs such as cornerback and guard?
Here are five players whom the Giants may target:
Justin Fields, QB
The Giants could chase Sam Darnold after his great season with the Vikings. They could kick the tires on Aaron Rodgers despite the 41-year old’s disappointing two-year stint with the Jets. But Fields is the better option.
He went 4-2 with the Steelers last season and threw for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and one interception before being replaced by Russell Wilson. Fields, who turned 26 on Wednesday, also ran for five scores. He will be cheaper than Darnold, whose price is up after throwing for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns.
It was an outlier in Darnold’s career, which has mostly been bad to average since his first three years with the Jets. The same could be said for Fields, who struggled after the Bears drafted him in 2021.
With Fields playing four NFL seasons to Darnold’s seven, he’s got more upside to be a better bridge to the Giants’ future quarterback, who needs to be taken in this draft.
The Giants will have at least one quarterback on their roster when the free agency period begins Wednesday. The team announced Saturday they re-signed Tommy DeVito.
As for Rodgers? The Jets were quick to let him go after a coaching/GM change. He’s still a future Hall of Famer, but there’s more risk than reward betting on a player entering his 21st season. Does signing him mean punting on a future quarterback the Giants need long-term?
No matter what, the Giants should draft a quarterback. But eyeing a veteran such as Fields is the safest insurance for the present while planning for the future.
Javon Hargrave, DT
Dexter Lawrence remains arguably the best defensive tackle in the NFL, but he’s constantly facing double- and triple-teams. The sense is the Giants wouldn’t mind having another tackle to relieve that pressure.
Hargrave, 32, played only three games last season because of a torn triceps, but the two-time Pro Bowler can get to the quarterback. He had 11 sacks in 2022 with the Eagles and seven in 2023 with the 49ers.
If there’s worries about durability after last year, Hargrave has shown he can stay on the field when healthy. He played at least 15 games in his first eight seasons.
The Giants need another playmaker on the interior to make Lawrence’s job easier.
Paulson Adebo, CB
It’s no secret that the Giants’ secondary must improve. Deonte Banks’ struggles mean they still need a No. 1 cornerback. Enter Adebo, who had three interceptions and 52 tackles in seven games with the Saints last season before suffering a broken femur. He also had four interceptions in 2023 and three as a rookie in 2021.
That’s the type of ballhawk potential the Giants need after an NFL-record 11 straight games without an interception last season.
Brandon Scherff, OL
The Giants have four returning starters on the offensive line but a hole at guard. Right guard Greg Van Roten is a free agent and no decision has been made about whether Evan Neal, in a last chance to salvage his disappointing tenure with the Giants, will slide inside from tackle.
Scherff, 33, didn’t miss a game the last three years with the Jaguars. The five-time Pro Bowler was first-team All-Pro in 2020 and was penalized only once last season. This will be his 11th season, but he’s dependable, and the Giants will need that with a new quarterback to protect.
Kevin Zeitler, OL
If Scherff isn’t an option, why not call on an old friend to fill in at guard? Zeitler played with the Giants in 2019 and 2020 and was arguably the team’s best lineman.
Zeitler, who turned 35 on Saturday, started 16 games for the Lions last season and made the Pro Bowl in 2023. He is entering his 14th season so he not only could be cheap but reliable for an offensive line needing a fifth starter.
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
