CBS Sports picks Giants' best move of the offseason
Following an appearance in the Divisional Round of the 2022 NFL Playoffs, the Giants made several moves this offseason to improve the roster.
Which transaction could prove to be the most impactful?
CBS Sports' Jeff Kerr chose what he believes to be the best move by every NFC team this offseason, which highlighted the acquisition of tight end Darren Waller for the Giants.
"Waller had the second-most catches (65) and receiving yards (789) among tight ends split out wide since 2019 (Travis Kelce was first)," wrote Kerr. "He had seven catches of 20-plus yards downfield in 2022 -- the most among tight ends despite missing eight games. Waller had the second-longest average target length among tight ends last season (13.4)...
"The Giants parted ways with a third-round pick to acquire Waller, who should have a tremendous impact on (Daniel) Jones for 2023."
The trade for Waller provides Jones with a big, explosive playmaker. The 6-foot-6 tight end put together back-to-back seasons with over 1,100 yards from 2019-20, totaling 197 receptions for 2,341 yards and 12 touchdowns during that span. This led to him being named to the Pro Bowl in 2020.
In nine games (six starts) last season, Waller caught 28 passes for 388 yards and three touchdowns. His 13.9 yards per reception set a new career-high.
"He's one of the best tight ends in this league," Daniel Bellinger told the media Wednesday. "In my personal opinion, he's top three, and not three. He's not just a great overall player, he's a great guy. I'm excited to learn from him... He's a unicorn of a player."
"He's done everything we've asked him to do," head coach Brian Daboll said about Waller Tuesday. "He's a good communicator. He's played a lot of football and been productive. Again, we're still utilizing him in different ways. We're seeing what he likes, what he feels comfortable with, what the quarterback feels comfortable with, but he's been a pleasure to be around both in the classroom and out on the field."
View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2023 cycle.
OLB Oshane Ximines - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 21)
OL Jaylon Thomas - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 21)
RB Taiwan Jones - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 16)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 16)
RB Taiwan Jones - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 9)
K Graham Gano - Signed 3-year contract extension (September 8)
WR Cam Sims - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (September 4)
WR Cole Beasley - Practice Squad; Injured (September 4)
G Jack Anderson - Waived, Injury Settlement
DB Kaleb Hayes, WR Dennis Houston, T Jaylon Thomas - Practice Squad Signing (August 31)
RB Taiwan Jones - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (August 31)
TE Tyree Jackson, G Jalen Mayfield - Practice Squad Exception Signing (August 31)
DB Gemon Green, T Tyre Phillips - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (August 31)
CB Zyon Gilbert - Waived, Injury Settlement
DT Ryder Anderson, ILB Darrian Beavers, DB Alex Cook, QB Tommy DeVito, CB Gemon Green, ILB Dyontae Johnson, TE Ryan Jones - Practice Squad (August 30)
WR Cole Beasley, CB Amani Oruwariye, T Tyre Phillips, OLB Oshane Ximines - Practice Squad Veteran (August 30)
OLB Tomon Fox - Practice Squad Exception (August 30)
DE Boogie Basham - Acquired via Trade (via BUF) with 2025 7th Round Pick for 2025 6th Round Pick (August 30)
DT Ryder Anderson - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DE Habakkuk Baldonado - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Darrian Beavers - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DB Alex Cook - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
QB Tommy DeVito - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Tomon Fox - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DB Gemon Green - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Dyontae Johnson - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
TE Ryan Jones - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LS Cameron Lyons - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
T Tyre Phillips - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
WR Kalil Pimpleton - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DT Kobe Smith - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Ray Wilborn - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
WR Cole Beasley - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
WR Jamison Crowder - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
C Sean Harlow - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
DB Amani Oruwariye - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
WR David Sills V - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
LB Oshane Ximines - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
TE Tommy Sweeney - Reserve/Non-Football Illness (August 29)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson - Passed Physical (August 29)
CB Aaron Robinson - Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (August 29)
TE Chris Myarick - Reserve/Injured (August 28)
DB Zyon Gilbert - Waived, Injured (August 28)
G Jack Anderson - Waived, Injured (August 28)
G Wyatt Davis - Waived, Injured (August 28)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton - Reserve/Injured (August 27)
WR Jaydon Mickens - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
OT Korey Cunningham - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
OT Julién Davenport - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
DT Brandin Bryant - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
DE Tashawn Bower - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
DT Kevin Atkins - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
WR Collin Johnson - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
DB Darren Evans - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
NT Donovan Jeter - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
RB James Robinson - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons - Acquired via Trade (via ARZ) for 2024 7th Round Pick (August 25)
OT Devery Hamilton - Waived, Injury Settlement (August 24)
LB Troy Brown - Waived, Injury Settlement
CB Rodarius Williams - Waived, No Recall (August 19)
OT Julién Davenport - Free Agent Signing (August 16)
LB Troy Brown - Waived, Injured (August 16)
LB Ray Wilborn - Claimed off Waivers from DEN (August 15)
OT Devery Hamilton - Waived/Injured (August 15)
DL D.J. Davidson - Passed Physical (August 14)
WR Jeff Smith - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Injury Settlement (August 11)
DT A'Shawn Robinson - Passed Physical (August 7)
OL Marcus McKethan - Passed Physical (August 7)
NT Donovan Jeter - Free Agent Signing (August 4)
WR Jeff Smith - Waived/Injured (August 4)
C Sean Harlow - Free Agent Signing (August 1)
OL J.C. Hassenauer - Reserve/Injured (August 1)
WR Sterling Shepard - Passed Physical (July 30)
WR Jamison Crowder - Passed Physical (July 30)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Injured (July 29)
LB Elerson Smith - Waived, Injury Settlement (July 29)
DT Kevin Atkins - Free Agent Signing (July 27)
T Andrew Thomas - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (July 26)
DT D.J. Davidson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
G Marcus McKethan - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
CB Aaron Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
DT A'Shawn Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
WR Sterling Shepard - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
WR Jamison Crowder - Declared Non-Football Injury (July 25)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Did Not Report (July 25)
RB Saquon Barkley - Franchise Player Signing (July 25)
OLB Tashawn Bower - Free Agent Signing (July 25)
OLB Elerson Smith - Waived, Injured (July 25)
DB Trenton Thompson - Waived, No Recall (July 25)
DT Brandin Bryant - Free Agent Signing (July 24)
WR Makai Polk - Waived, No Recall (July 24)
WR Dre Miller - Waived, No Recall (July 24)
RB James Robinson - Free Agent Signing (July 21)
WR Cole Beasley - Free Agent Signing (July 21)
DB Darren Evans - Free Agent Signing (July 18)
LB Jarrad Davis - Reserve/Injured (July 18)
DB Leonard Johnson - Waived/Injured (July 18)
DL Kobe Smith - Free Agent Signing (June 15)
DL Dexter Lawrence - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (May 5)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LB Troy Brown - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
DB Alex Cook - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
QB Tommy DeVito - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
DB Gemon Green - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LB Dyontae Johnson - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
TE Ryan Jones - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LS Cameron Lyons - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
CB Deonte Banks - Selected in Round 1 (Pick No. 24) of 2023 NFL Draft
CB Deonte Banks - Selection List Signing (May 18)
OL John Michael Schmitz - Selected in Round 2 (Pick No. 57) of 2023 NFL Draft
C John Michael Schmitz - Selection List Signing (May 23)
WR Jalin Hyatt - Selected in Round 3 (Pick No. 73) of 2023 NFL Draft
WR Jalin Hyatt - Selection List Signing (May 15)
RB Eric Gray - Selection List Signing (May 5)
CB Tre Hawkins III - Selected in Round 6 (Pick No. 209) of 2023 NFL Draft
CB Tre Hawkins III - Selection List Signing (May 5)
DL Jordon Riley - Selected in Round 7 (Pick No. 243) of 2023 NFL Draft
RB Eric Gray - Selected in Round 5 (Pick No. 172) of 2023 NFL Draft
DL Jordan Riley - Selection List Signing (May 6)
DB Gervarrius Owens - Selected in Round 7 (Pick No. 254) of 2023 NFL Draft
DB Gervarrius Owens - Selection List Signing (May 5)
DT A'Shawn Robinson - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 24)
C J.C. Hassenauer - Free Agent Signing (April 7)
OLB Jihad Ward - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 29)
TE Tommy Sweeney - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
CB Amani Oruwariye - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
WR Jamison Crowder - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
S Bobby McCain - Free Agent Signing (March 23)
WR Darius Slayton - Free Agent Signing (March 20)
DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
WR Parris Campbell - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
WR Jeff Smith - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
LB Bobby Okereke - Free Agent Signing (March 16)
WR Sterling Shepard - Free Agent Signing (March 15)
TE Darren Waller - Acquired via trade with Las Vegas Raiders (March 15)
RB Matt Breida - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 14)
P Jamie Gillan - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
LS Casey Kreiter - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
G Wyatt Davis - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
QB Daniel Jones - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 7)
RB Saquon Barkley - Designated Franchise Player (March 7)
LB Jarrad Davis - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 7)
WR Isaiah Hodgins - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 16)
G Jack Anderson - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 14)
TE Lawrence Cager - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 13)
WR David Sills V - Reserve/Future Signing (January 26)
DB Terrell Burgess - Reserve/Future Signing (January 26)
TE Chris Myarick - Reserve/Future Signing (January 23)
T Devery Hamilton - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Dre Miller - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Zyon Gilbert - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Makai Polk - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
T Korey Cunningham - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Jaydon Mickens - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Kalil Pimpleton - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Trenton Thompson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Terrell Burgess - Waived/Injured (May 5)
G Solomon Kindley - Waived
WR Kenny Golladay - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (March 15)
Currently on Giants.com
Must-see photos from minicamp as spring practices come to a close at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
Bill Parcells, Head Coach Brian Daboll
WR Darius Slayton (86)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
DB Bobby McCain (21)
TE Darren Waller (12)
S Xavier McKinney (29), DB Adoree' Jackson (22)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
DB Cor'dale Flott (28), DB Adoree' Jackson (22)
S Xavier McKinney (29), DB Adoree' Jackson (22)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
Bill Parcells, Carl Banks
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
DB Armini Oruwariye (20), DB Bobby McCain (21)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
Bill Parcells, Brian Daboll Head Coach, Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager
QB Tyrod Taylor (2), Bill Parcells
QB Tyrod Taylor (2), Bill Parcells
OL Corey Cunningham (70)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2), Bill Parcells
RB Eric Gray (20)
Bill Parcells
WR David Sills V (13)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR David Sills V (13)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2), Bill Parcells
Bill Parcells
TE Darren Waller (12)
TE Darren Waller (12)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Bill Parcells
WR Makai Polk (87)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2), Bill Parcells
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
TE Darren Waller (12)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
TE Darren Waller (12)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
WR Makai Polk (87)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
WR Makai Polk (87)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
DB Tre Hawkins III (37)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
DB Zyon Gilbert (38)
DB Zyon Gilbert (38)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
Bill Parcells, Head Coach Brian Daboll
Bill Parcells, Head Coach Brian Daboll
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
DB Cor'dale Flott (28)
Carl Banks, Head Coach Brian Daboll
Bill Parcells, Carl Banks
WR Jeff Smith II (19)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
DB Cor'dale Flott (28)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
WR Jeff Smith II (19)
WR Jeff Smith II (19)
WR Jeff Smith II (19)
DB Cor'dale Flott (28)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
DB Cor'dale Flott (28)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
DB Cor'dale Flott (28)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
DB Nick McCloud (44)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
DB Bobby McCain (21)
DB Bobby McCain (21)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2), QB Daniel Jones (8)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
LB Azeez Ojulari (51)
WR Parris Campbell (0), QB Daniel Jones (8)
LB Jihad Ward (55)
LB Micah McFadden (41)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
LB Cam Brown (47)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81), WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
DB Tre Hawkins III (37)
DB Cor'dale Flott (28)
LB Troy Brown (46)
TE Tommy Sweeney (89)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
LB Dyontae Johnson (54)
LB Cam Brown (47)
DB Armini Oruwariye (20)
LB Troy Brown (46)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
LB Dyontae Johnson (54)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
DB Gervarrius Owens (31)
OL John Michael Schmitz Jr (61)
TE Darren Waller (12)
TE Darren Waller (12)
TE Darren Waller (12)
TE Darren Waller (12)
OL John Michael Schmitz Jr (61)
DL Jordan Riley (95)
DL Jordan Riley (95)
DL Ryder Anderson (90)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97), DL Leonard Williams (99)
