Building the roster is a year-round process, one that doesn't begin with free agency in March and end with the draft in April. With that in mind, the Giants.com crew discusses the most underrated personnel move made by the team since last season ended:
John Schmeelk: I don't think the Bobby Okereke or Darren Waller transactions can be considered "underrated," so I landed on Rakeem Nunez-Roches, better known as Nacho. Last year, the Giants allowed the second-most yards per rush play in the NFL and were especially vulnerable to the run when Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence weren't on the field.
The Giants desperately needed veteran help on the defensive line on early downs, and Nacho is the perfect person to satiate that craving. He may not put up sexy numbers or flash on highlight reels, but he will hold the point of attack, fill gaps, and be a positive influence in the locker room. The Eagles ran for more than 250 yards against the Giants twice last season. The Ravens also ran for more than 200 yards. Seven other teams ran for more than 140 yards against the Giants. If they want to be back in the postseason this year, the run defense problem had to be fixed and Nacho will help do just that.
Dan Salomone: Sometimes the moves that teams don't make end up having the biggest domino effect. The Giants parted ways with Jon Feliciano (49ers) and Nick Gates (Commanders), two veterans who were likely options to start at center. At the NFL Annual Meeting in Phoenix, general manager Joe Schoen said they had contingency plans in place. Those included bringing back Jack Anderson, whom Schoen and Brian Daboll knew from Buffalo. They can also turn to Shane Lemieux and Ben Bredeson, who have started games at guard but can play center. Then there's always the draft and camp cuts around the league.
The context of the following quote was in response to questions about Saquon Barkley, but like Schoen said, it applies to everyone.
"Essentially when you're building a team, and I'll say this to everybody, there's 53 players. You can't look at everybody in a silo," he said. "As you're going through negotiations and you can't come to an agreement on what the value of a player is, then you have to shift to plan B."
So, when you're talking about moves that flew under the radar but will have a major effect on the team's makeup, the interior offensive line is the place to look.
View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2023 offseason.
C John Michael Schmitz - Selection List Signing (May 23)
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
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 - Selected in Round 5 (Pick No. 172) of 2023 NFL Draft
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
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)
CB Leonard Johnson - Free Agent Signing (March 20)
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)
Lance Medow: Parris Campbell was the Colts' second-round pick in 2019 following an impressive senior season at Ohio State. Unfortunately, due to various injuries, he was never able to build off that production immediately as he appeared in only 15 games over his first three seasons combined. Last year, he was finally able to put that behind him and suited up for all 17 contests, posting career-highs across the board. That's why this is a low-risk, high-reward addition to the roster.
If Campbell can stay on the field and pick up where he left off in 2022, he'll provide a deep, elusive threat for the offense. Although he only played in six games in 2021, he was averaging 16 yards per reception before he suffered a broken foot. Between him and Darius Slayton, the Giants should be able to stretch the field and the hope is that will create more explosive plays, a category the team wants to see skyrocket this coming season. It's very hard in football, in general, to sustain lengthy possessions where you have to drive 80-90 yards down the field because, in all likelihood, there will be a negative play that comes to light. That's where Campbell comes into play. In each of the last two seasons, he's had a reception for at least 49 yards and if you spread that out across a larger sample size, the potential is there for even more. Much like Isaiah Hodgins took advantage of more playing time and targets in 2022, Parris could subscribe to a similar philosophy.
Matt Citak: The Giants have made some key additions at positions of need over the last few weeks. But perhaps the most underrated move made thus far this offseason is the return of outside linebacker Jihad Ward.
Ward is coming back for his second season with the Giants. This doesn't come as much of a surprise after the outside linebacker put together the strongest overall campaign of his career with the Giants. Ward matched his previous career-best of three sacks while setting new high marks in tackles (43), tackles for loss (seven), quarterback hits (13) and passes defensed (four) in addition to forcing the first two fumbles of his career. Not only did he shine on the field, but the 6-foot-5, 287-pound linebacker also stepped up in the locker room. During minicamp last offseason, the veteran took on a leadership role with Kayvon Thibodeaux, making sure the rookie stayed on top of his studying of the playbook. That mentorship extended to all of the outside linebackers, as Ward, who had previously played for Wink Martindale, guided the group through the new defensive coordinator's scheme throughout training camp. It's no wonder the coordinator told the media he always wants Ward playing in his defense.
"He's a physical, tough guy that is the character of what you're looking for as a defensive player," Martindale said after last year's Week 1 win over the Titans. "He sets the pace, especially in the run game on setting the edges, and he took it personal that game, and that's what has made him who he is. And wherever I'm at, I hope I have Jihad Ward with me."
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
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