The Giants.com crew is presented with four statements and must decide whether they are Fact or Fiction.
An elite offense must have a dynamic tight end in today's NFL.
John Schmeelk: Fiction – It's not a necessity, but it certainly helps. Special tight ends provide unique matchup problems for defenses when they choose their personnel groups and formations. Travis Kelce lines up next to an offensive tackle, but he runs routes like a wide receiver. If you put a cornerback there, then they can run the ball at the cornerback. Linebackers and safeties aren't fast enough to cover him. The Dolphins, for example, had an elite offense when Tua Tagovailoa was healthy last season, and they barely used their tight end. Dawson Knox is a good player, but I wouldn't put him in the elite category for a Bills offense that was excellent. A dynamic weapon (or two) at wide receiver or tight end IS a "must" if an offense wants to be elite. The Giants hope they have that in Darren Waller.
Dan Salomone: Fact – Elite offenses pose mismatches, convert on third down, and score touchdowns in the red zone. You can check all those boxes in one fell swoop with a dynamic tight end.
Lance Medow: Fiction – If you look at the top 10 scoring offenses in 2022, you'll find mixed results. Some teams such as the Chiefs, 49ers and Vikings showcase elite tight ends with Travis Kelce, George Kittle and T.J. Hockenson, respectively. But other franchises have solid players who aren't necessarily the centerpieces of their respective offenses. Case in point, the Bills lean on Dawson Knox, who finished tied for third on the team in receptions and third in receiving yards. Hayden Hurst was fifth in both of those categories for the Bengals, and the Seahawks mixed and matched at that position depending on the opponent and strategy. Same can be said for the Lions after they traded Hockenson to the Vikings. Is it beneficial to have an elite tight end? Absolutely, but I would say it's a luxury and not a necessity depending on how you run your scheme.
Matt Citak: Fact – When looking at the four teams that ended up in the NFC and AFC Championship Games, three of the offenses feature top tight ends – Kansas City's Travis Kelce, Philadelphia's Dallas Goedert and San Francisco's George Kittle. The only one of the four that didn't have a dynamic tight end, the Cincinnati Bengals, boast perhaps the league's best wide receiver group (Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd). As it pertains to the Giants, the acquisition of Darren Waller should not only create mismatches in the passing game, but it should also open things up for everyone else in the offense. Acquiring a dynamic tight end is a great step towards creating an elite offense.
Linebacker Bobby Okereke was the most intriguing addition in the first wave of free agency.
John Schmeelk: Fiction – There's that word "intriguing" again. Okereke is probably the most important signing, but I'm not sure it is intriguing. We know what he is: long, fast, good against the run, and capable of covering down the field. How Wink uses him might be borderline intriguing. Parris Campbell intrigues me more. He ran a 4.31 and looks as fast as ever. Can Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka figure out a way to unlock a receiver with unlimited physical gifts but only one year of production and not a lot of experience playing outside the slot? The Giants' offensive minds are very creative, and I am quite intrigued as to how they will find ways to get him the football.
Dan Salomone: Fact – He's a Stanford grad and Eagle Scout who once performed at Carnegie Hall with his high school choir and interned for Condoleezza Rice. He's pretty intriguing.
Lance Medow: Fiction – Bobby Okereke is right up there given his ability to run sideline to sideline and play all three downs, but I'll go with his former Colts teammate, Parris Campbell. It's never been a question of talent with the latter; it's simply been a question of staying on the field because of various freak injuries. Last season, we got a flash of what he's capable of producing as he suited up for all 17 games and had a career year. Campbell has the speed to stretch the field and the one area the Giants could use a boost in is explosive plays. That's exactly where he enters the equation.
Matt Citak: Fiction – Bobby Okereke is likely the most impactful addition in the first wave of free agency, as it is no secret that the Giants' run defense struggled mightily last season. Okereke's 283 total tackles over the last two seasons rank among the leaders in the NFL, and the addition of the linebacker provides Wink Martindale with an anchor in the middle of the defense. However, the most intriguing addition has to be wide receiver Parris Campbell. The former second-round pick ran an amazing 4.31 40-yard dash at the 2019 NFL Combine, and is still only 25 years old. If Campbell can stay healthy (he played in all 17 games last year after totaling 15 games in his first three seasons), his speed could add a unique aspect to the Giants' offense.
View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2023 cycle.
QB Jacob Eason - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (January 6)
TE Tyree Jackson - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (January 6)
K Mason Crosby - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (January 6)
OT Yodny Cajuste - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (January 6)
S Jason Pinnock - Reserve/Injured (January 6)
QB Jacob Eason - Practice Squad Signing (January 4)
OT Tyre Phillips - Reserve/Injured (January 2)
OLB Jeremiah Martin - Practice Squad Signing (January 1)
K Mason Crosby - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 30)
WR Dennis Houston - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 30)
LB Darrian Beavers - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (December 30)
TE Lawrence Cager - Reserve/Injured (December 30)
K Mason Crosby - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 24)
OLB Tomon Fox - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 24)
OT Matt Peart - Activated, from Reserve (December 24)
OT Evan Neal - Reserve/Injured (December 24)
K Mason Crosby - Practice Squad Veteran (December 22)
K Cade York - Practice Squad; Injured (December 22)
K Randy Bullock - Reserve/Injured (December 21)
DL Timmy Horne - Free Agent Signing from ATL Practice Squad (December 21)
OT Matt Peart - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (December 20)
RB Gary Brightwell - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (December 20)
TE Darren Waller - Activated, from Reserve (December 16)
S Bobby McCain - Waived, No Recall (December 16)
TE Darren Waller - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (December 14)
QB Tyrod Taylor - Activated, from Reserve (December 11)
QB Matt Barkley - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (December 5)
QB Jacob Eason - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (December 4)
QB Matt Barkley - Waived, No Recall (December 4)
QB Tyrod Taylor - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (December 4)
WR Dylan Drummond - Practice Squad Signing (November 30)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (November 30)
RB Eric Gray - Activated, from Reserve (November 25)
K Cade York - Practice Squad Exception Signing (November 24)
K Randy Bullock - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (November 24)
K Cade York - Waived, No Recall (November 22)
RB Eric Gray - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (November 22)
OL Joshua Miles - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (November 21)
RB Deon Jackson - Practice Squad Exception Signing (November 21)
RB Hassan Hall - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (November 21)
LB Benton Whitley - Free Agent Signing from MIN Practice Squad (November 21)
RB Deon Jackson - Waived, No Recall (November 20)
OL Joshua Miles - Waived, No Recall (November 20)
K Randy Bullock - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 18)
TE Tyree Jackson - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 18)
TE Chris Myarick - Waived, No Recall from Reserve/Injured (November 13)
OLB Azeez Ojulari - Activated, from Reserve (November 11)
TE Tyree Jackson - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 11)
K Randy Bullock - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 11)
OLB Azeez Ojulari - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (November 8)
QB Matt Barkley - QB Matt Barkley - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (November 8)
QB Daniel Jones - Reserve/Injured (November 8)
QB Jacob Eason - Practice Squad Signing (November 7)
RB Hassan Hall - Practice Squad Signing (November 7)
OLB Justin Hollins - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 4)
K Randy Bullock - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 4)
TE Lawrence Cager - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (November 4)
TE Darren Waller - Reserve/Injured (November 4)
QB Tyrod Taylor - Reserve/Injured (November 4)
WR Gunner Olszewski - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (November 3)
K Cade York - Free Agent Signing from TEN Practice Squad (November 3)
K Randy Bullock - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (November 3)
K Graham Gano - Reserve/Injured (November 3)
QB Matt Barkley - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (October 31)
QB Tommy DeVito - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (October 31)
WR Gunner Olszewski - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (October 31)
OL Jaylon Thomas - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 31)
DL Leonard Williams - Traded to Seahawks for 2024 2nd Round Pick & 2025 5th Round Pick (October 30)
CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver III - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (October 30)
WR Gunner Olszewski - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (October 30)
WR Gunner Olszewski - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (October 28)
RB Gary Brightwell - Reserve/Injured (October 28)
QB Tommy DeVito - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 28)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 28)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Free Agent Signing from CAR Practice Squad
OLB Justin Hollins - Practice Squad Veteran Signing
RB Eric Gray, OT Matt Peart - Reserve/Injured
RB Deon Jackson - Claimed off Waivers from CLV
(October 24)
WR Gunner Olszewski - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (October 23)
QB Tommy DeVito - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 21)
OL Jalen Mayfield - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 21)
TE Lawrence Cager - Practice Squad Signing
OL Sean Harlow - Free Agent Signing from DAL Practice Squad (October 19)
OL Shane Lemieux - Reserve/Injured (October 19)
OL Justin Pugh - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (October 18)
TE Lawrence Cager - Waived, No Recall (October 18)
OL Tyre Phillips - Free Agent Signing from PHI Practice Squad
OL Joshua Miles - Free Agent Signing from ATL Practice Squad
OL Joshua Ezeudu - Reserve/Injured
OL Jalen Mayfield - Practice Squad Exception Signing
DB Alex Cook - Free Agent Signing to CAR Active Roster
(October 17)
OLB Azeez Ojulari - Reserve/Injured (October 14)
OL Jalen Mayfield - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (October 14)
QB Tommy DeVito - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 14)
OL Justin Pugh - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 14)
OT Yodny Cajuste - Practice Squad Veteran (October 11)
WR Cole Beasley - Designated for Return / Restored to Practice Squad (October 10)
WR Cam Sims - - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 10)
CB Amani Oruwariye - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 10)
OL Jaylon Thomas, OL Jalen Mayfield - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 7)
OL Justin Pugh - Practice Squad Veteran (October 3)
RB Taiwan Jones - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 3)
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)
The Giants' moves in free agency will greatly affect their draft plans.
John Schmeelk: Fact – I would usually answer fiction to a question like this because I am a strong believer in not letting your current roster dictate whom you draft. Select the best player for your team. This year, however, the addition of Bobby Okereke probably takes linebacker off the radar in the first round, which I would consider significant. Adding Nunez-Roches would also probably take an interior defensive lineman off the board in round one, though one later in the draft would certainly be possible. I would consider that "greatly" in the context of the NFL Draft. Center, cornerback and wide receiver all remain needs.
Dan Salomone: Fiction – The two aren't mutually exclusive. Teams don't go into free agency with blinders on. They operate free agency with the draft in mind as roster-building is a year-round process.
Lance Medow: Fiction – When it comes to the draft, you can't just think about 2023; you have to take the length of the rookie deal into consideration. Your goal isn't just to borrow a player for a season but have him develop within your organization for years to come and, ideally, earn a second contract. Free agency certainly influences draft plans but it shouldn't dictate what positions to address. The last thing any general manager wants to do is be put in a position where he or she needs to fill a specific void on the roster, and you can never have enough depth at any position because you can't predict injuries or potential moves in free agency down the road. Just look at 2022. The Giants signed defensive end Jihad Ward yet still selected Kavyon Thibodeaux. They also added three interior offensive lineman in Mark Glowinski, Jon Feliciano and Jamil Douglas but then drafted Josh Ezeudu and Marcus McKethan. On top of that, they selected wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson after signing both Robert Foster and Richie James. Another reason why free agency shouldn't overwhelmingly influence the draft is because you never know how roster cuts will play out, meaning every free agent addition isn't guaranteed to make the team.
Matt Citak: Fiction – I want to go 75 percent fiction on this one, as the addition of Bobby Okereke likely takes linebacker out of the equation for the Giants in the first round or two of next month's draft. But for the most part, the team's moves over the last 10 days should not affect their draft plans that much. Despite signing Parris Campbell and Jeff Smith and bringing back Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard, wide receiver is still fully in play for the Giants on Day 1. Other than Okereke, almost all of the deals the Giants handed out are reportedly one or two-year deals, meaning it shouldn't prevent them from still addressing those positions in the draft for more long-term answers if they so choose.
One month out, your best guess as to what position the Giants draft first is wide receiver.
John Schmeelk: Fact – I started writing "fiction" and began to explain why I think a cornerback is more likely, but I still think the main goal of this front office this offseason is to put as much around Daniel Jones as possible to help him succeed. I could easily see them pass on a wide receiver and select one on Day 2, but I think it is more likely one of the top wide receivers gets to 25 than one of the top cornerbacks. I'm also not sure interior offensive line is a premium enough position to warrant selecting at 25. The Giants have done a good job addressing need in free agency, but there are still spots they could use more elite talent at moving forward.
Dan Salomone: Fiction – Ninety percent of mock drafts right now have the Giants taking a wide receiver. So … it's safe to take the field.
Lance Medow: Fiction – We're going with the Fiction sweep this week. When you pick 25th overall, it's far more challenging to narrow down a position because there's so many players that will be off the board by the time New York makes its pick. While I think wide receiver is a strong potential target, the depth at corner is intriguing and if someone rated high on their board is still available at 25, I can see the Giants grabbing him. Although there's some youth at that position on the roster, there's also a few players who have dealt with injuries. The roster could absolutely use another weapon in the defensive backfield.
Matt Citak: Fiction – Wide receiver is certainly up there in the top three positions the Giants are most likely to draft first. However, based on the team's lack of movement at a certain position through the first 10 days of free agency, I'm going to say the Giants will select a cornerback first. The top three cornerbacks (Devon Witherspoon, Christian Gonzalez, Joey Porter Jr.) will likely be gone by the time No. 25 comes around, but other talented prospects such as Deonte Banks and Emmanuel Forbes could still be there.
View photos of the newest members of the Giants touring the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
New York Giants LB Bobby Okereke
New York Giants DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager
New York Giants WR Jeff Smith, New York Giants WR Paris Campbell, Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager
New York Giants Safety Bobby McCain
New York Giants CB Amani Oruwariye
New York Giants LB Bobby Okereke
New York Giants DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
New York Giants WR Jamison Crowder
New York Giants WR Jeff Smith
New York Giants TE Darren Waller
New York Giants TE Tommy Sweeney
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants LB Bobby Okereke
New York Giants TE Darren Waller
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager
New York Giants WR Parris Campbell
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
New York Giants WR Parris Campbell
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants TE Darren Waller
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants WR Jeff Smith
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants LB Bobby Okereke
New York Giants WR Parris Campbell
New York Giants DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
New York Giants Safety Bobby McCain
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants CB Amani Oruwariye
New York Giants TE Darren Waller
New York Giants LB Bobby Okereke
New York Giants WR Jamison Crowder
New York Giants TE Darren Waller
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants WR Jeff Smith
New York Giants TE Darren Waller
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
New York Giants LB Bobby Okereke
New York Giants WR Jeff Smith
New York Giants TE Tommy Sweeney
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants TE Darren Waller
New York Giants LB Bobby Okereke
New York Giants WR Jeff Smith
