Remaining NFL Free Agents NY Teams Should Consider Adding
NFL Free Agency has been exciting to say the least but there are still impact players available and moves to be made by all three New York teams. The Jets, Giants and Bills have all been active this off season but there's no reason they should stop now. Any question you can answer pre draft puts you one step closer to the mythical ability of "drafting the best available player."
The Draft is all about philosophy but realistically if you need an "Edge Rusher" and you have a Safety rated higher than the OLB that's sitting there at your pick you take the need. So if you can address "need" now in Free Agency you can draft "luxury" and highest upside in April.
New York Giants: The Giants might be the most interesting team in NY right now. First off are you rebuilding or retooling. If you're rebuilding you really don't need to concern yourself with any Free Agent over 30 years old or over cash value. For the sake of this conversation let's pretend the Giants are trying to win now. The biggest needs they should address in Free Agency would be Edge Rusher, Corner back Offensive Tackle. I'm ruling out Free Agent QB's because the Giants will clearly roll with Eli Manning this year.
Edge Rushers available: Ezekiel Ansah(30) and Justin Houston(30)
Both players are 30 and will most likely be looking for "win now" situations. I don't think the Giants are as bad off as some but selling these players on joining for this year will be a tough sell.
My thoughts: PASS! The Giants have brought in former Arizona Cardinal Markus Golden. He is by no means the sexy name you're hoping for but he has a history of success with Defensive Coordinator James Bettcher from when they were in Arizona together and might be worth the gamble.
CB: Bryce Callahan(27), Darqueze Dennard(27) and Ronald Darby(25)
My Thoughts: Honestly if Big Blue's Cap Space allows I would consider adding one of these guys. Callahan and Dennard are proven slot corners with success in top defensive units in the league but Darby would be my target. Darby is only 25 and the only reason he's even on the market in my opinion is he suffered an ACL injury last November. Darby is a ball hawk and with the injury could be a low risk high reward kind of guy to add to your secondary.
OT: Tackles of value rarely become free agents and never last long if they do. This is where I turn my attention to the draft.
New York Jets: The Jets have already made some massive waves in Free Agency signing the top Running Back and arguably the top Line Backer out there. So when I look at where they could still improve in this year's Free Agent class I think trenches. Offensive line and a complimentary piece to go with Leonard Williams on the D line.
O Line: (see Giants' notes)
D Line: Depending on price and a physical I'd at least look at Ansah and Houston but I'd love if the Jets added Ndamukong Suh then drafted an Edge Rusher.
Buffalo Bills: The Bills might be the least sexy and most complete team in New York right now. Already adding WR's John Brown and Cole Beasley the offense should be more explosive this year. Mitch Morse is a HUGE upgrade at Center, so I like the O Line way better this year than last season. So I honestly believe the Bills are already the kind of team that can go after whoever they want in the draft. GM Brandon Beane and HC Sean McDermott clearly have a plan and they're sticking to it. Bring on the draft.