It was testy — Joe Schoen’s in-season press conference. He handled it about as well as he could have. There was no winning in that situation. The Giants were a disaster on the field. No amount of firings seemed to change anything. Schoen, the last man standing from the regime, had to take the bullets. And he did.
He made a comment in the midst of a barrage of fastballs, though: The Giants have their franchise quarterback in Jaxson Dart. They are certain of it. Now, he said, is when the fun begins.
Things have changed since that day. The Giants have a new coach: John Harbaugh. They also hired Dawn Aponte, who will have a significant voice — if not the leading voice behind Harbaugh — on what the Giants want and plan to do this offseason.
That all starts this week at the NFL combine. It figures to be an eventful one for New York. Here is what to keep an eye on and where things stand.
Current starters under contract
Offense:Jaxson Dart (QB), Cam Skattebo (RB), Malik Nabers (WR), Darius Slayton (WR), Beaux Collins (WR), Theo Johnson (TE), Andrew Thomas (LT), Jon Runyan (LG), John Michael Schmitz (C), Jake Kubas (RG), Marcus Mbow (RT)
Defense:Darius Alexander (DT), Dexter Lawrence (NT), Roy Robertson-Harris (DE), Brian Burns (Edge), Abdul Carter (Edge), Bobby Okereke (LB), Micah McFadden (LB), Paulson Adebo (CB), Deonte Banks (CB), Dru Phillips (CB), Tyler Nubin (S), Jevon Holland (S).
Special teams:Graham Gano (K), Jamie Gillan (P), Jevon Holland (PR), Deonte Banks (KR)
Free agents
UFA:Russell Wilson (QB), Jermaine Eluemunor (RT), Evan Neal (RT), Rakeem Nunez-Roches (IDL), Greg Van Roten (RG), Wan’Dale Robinson (WR), Casey Kreiter (LS), Chris Manhertz (TE), Austin Schlottmann (C), Josh Ezeudu (LT), Demetris Flannigan-Fowles (S), Victor Dimukeje (EDGE), Aaron Stinnie (G), Cor'Dale Flott (CB), Neville Hewitt (LB), Gunner Olszewski (WR, RET), Daniel Bellinger (TE), Isaiah Hodgins (WR), Micah McFadden (LB), D.J. Davidson (IDL),
RFA: Zaire Barnes (LB), Tomon Fox (LB), Caleb Murphy (EDGE), Bryce Ford-Wheaton (WR)
ERFA:Nick Jones (CB), Ryan Miller (WR), Art Green (CB)
Salary cap update
The Giants, assuming a team cap of $303.5 million, sit with just $5.147 million in cap space. Their effective cap, which takes into consideration rookie contracts, is negative-$4.951 million.
Potential cap casualties
It is a little crazy that the Giants have a quarterback on a rookie contract, are coming off 3-14 and 4-13 seasons, and have no money to spend. The good news is they can create it, and likely will, with releases.
Cutting linebacker Bobby Okereke ($9 million), tackle James Hudson ($5.38 million), running back Devin Singletary ($5.2 million) and kicker Graham Gano ($4.5 million) would create an additional $24 million. They could free $9.25 million more by releasing Jon Runyan Jr., but that would create a second void on the offensive line they would need to fill.
Pass rusher Brian Burns ($24 million base salary), cornerback Paulson Adebo ($17.25 million), tackle Andrew Thomas ($15.9 million) and safety Jevon Holland ($12.9 million) all have contracts that can be easily restructured. They can convert large portions of those base salaries to signing bonuses, which awards the money to the player upfront but spreads the cap relief over the remaining length of the contract. Harbaugh and Aponte might finally have the Giants using void years, too, to provide additional relief.
A very interesting player is Dexter Lawrence. He hasn’t had a full sack in his past 24 games and played most of last season out of shape. The Giants would free $13 million with his release. They could also look to trade him if Lawrence does not fit into Harbaugh’s long-term plans.
NFL Draft picks
- First round: No. 5
- Second round: No. 5
- Fourth round: No. 5
- Fifth round: No. 5
- Sixth round: No. 5, No. 11 and No. 12
What to watch for at NFL Combine
Can the Giants retain some of their own?
Internal evaluations of players change with a new regime. While Schoen remains, this is very clearly Harbaugh’s show now. The Giants have four primary starters set to hit free agency: Receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, cornerback Cor’Dale Flott and linebacker Micah McFadden.
All four want to get paid. The markets for Robinson and Flott figure to be the highest. Will the Giants compete for them all? You figured that to be the case after the season, but there is a chance Harbaugh views each differently than Brian Daboll and Schoen did.
The combine will present the Giants with an opportunity to sit down with each player’s representatives to begin ironing out where their markets are and how eager New York is for a reunion.
How effective is the Harbaugh-Schoen relationship?
Things are peachy right now, or at least that is what every indication suggests. The two also have not faced any trial or tribulation. Harbaugh was focused on rounding out his staff and Schoen on scouting.
This is the first time it all comes together. They will evaluate players together. They will begin putting together a free-agent plan. They will figure out who they want to target and retain.
If the two survive this test together, a long-term partnership might work beyond the NFL draft.
Give Jaxson Dart his playmakers
The Giants have their quarterback. Now they need to get him weapons. Robinson is a free agent, and it is unclear if he will return. Malik Nabers is coming off an ACL tear, along with other damage, and it is unclear when he will be back on the field. That leaves Darius Slayton, who is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career (one touchdown, six drops).
The Giants need more for Dart to work with. The No. 5 pick is a spot where they could look to add someone. Carnell Tate (Ohio State), Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) and Makai Lemon (USC) are considered the top three options. Tate is probably the only one worth a selection that high.