NFL teams have to make decisions about their own players’ futures to plan their moves in free agency and the draft. Here are four big-name unrestricted free agents the Giants have to figure out as they build for 2024 and beyond:
XAVIER McKINNEY, 24, FREE SAFETY
The Giants can’t be in the business of letting good players out of their building, especially a captain and one of their own second-round draft picks. It would be expensive to incur the approximate $16.2 million franchise tag cap hit for a safety in 2024, though (per overthecap.com). So a multi-year extension makes sense as long as the two sides can compromise on a price. That will be easier said than done.
McKinney did not miss a snap in 2023, has eight interceptions the past three years and posted Pro Football Focus’ best coverage grade among safeties (91.2) last season. He bounced back in a big way from an off-field 2022 hand injury. And after voicing frustrations midway through last season, he played the best football of his career. Now he wants to play the deep half of the field more often to maximize his ball-hawking, although he is versatile enough to play anywhere.
The Giants theoretically could use the less expensive transition tag on McKinney (approximately $13.9 million) to preserve their right to match any deal he finds on the open market. But that would make almost $14 million of their salary cap unavailable until McKinney’s situation was resolved. So it would protect their rights at a temporary price, and it would allow other teams to possibly negotiate his contract for them, which is not something teams typically prefer. It would also prevent McKinney from becoming a fully free agent.
PFF’s free agent rankings project a four-year, $54 million deal with $30 million guaranteed for McKinney, but that $13.5 million average annual value would rank only ninth in the NFL at the safety position. And David Mulugheta, McKinney’s agent, represents three of the eight safeties making more on average: the Chargers’ Derwin James ($19 million), the Falcons’ Jessie Bates III ($16.005 million) and the Cardinals’ Budda Baker ($14.1 million).
McKinney and GM Joe Schoen did not engage in extension negotiations midseason. So this could go either way. The strength of his market in free agency probably will dictate whether he stays or goes.
SAQUON BARKLEY, 27, RUNNING BACK
The face of the Giants’ franchise is not expected to receive the $12.1 million franchise tag tender. He would like an opportunity to gauge his value on the open market, and if he gets that chance, there are enough teams with high opinions of his talents that it’s likely he would end up signing for good money on a better team elsewhere.
The Giants and Barkley both have consistently expressed they want him to be a Giant for life. So they could conceivably make a handshake agreement to let the team match whatever offers Barkley receives from other clubs. But NFL teams traditionally prefer not to do others’ work for them. And this would feel more like a way to soften the optics of their mutual separation.
PFF projects Barkley to land a three-year, $36.75 million contract with $20.1 million guaranteed, worth an average of $12.25 million per season. A year ago, that contract would have worked for the Giants. But Barkley is older, and Schoen has a limit at that position and numerous needs to address on his overall roster. So Barkley could end up leaving if something doesn’t change.
ADOREE JACKSON, 28, CORNER
Jackson turned in some strong performances in 2022, headlined by his shutdown of the Vikings’ Justin Jefferson for 47 yards and no touchdowns in the Giants’ road Wild Card playoff win. But his tackling and overall game regressed in 2023, and he has missed 10 games the past two years.
The Giants also just imported several coaches, including new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, from a Tennessee Titans franchise that once let Jackson walk out the door.
Jackson, a captain this past season, was asked to work in the slot early in 2023 before moving back outside due to the personnel deficiencies in the Giants’ secondary. So he’ll benefit from more consistency in 2024. It just feels like it will happen elsewhere.
TYROD TAYLOR, 34, QUARTERBACK
Taylor is a great person and player to have on a team and in a locker room. He was one of Schoen’s priority signings during the GM’s first offseason in 2022. He’s a businessman off the field who thrives in New York City. And he was the Giants’ starting quarterback in Week 18 for their first win over the Philadelphia Eagles since Nov. 2021.
But Taylor voiced his disappointment on the record when the Giants kept him on the bench behind Tommy DeVito at first this season, when Taylor was healthy enough to return with broken ribs. And it would be surprising if Taylor re-entered that environment, knowing where he stands, especially with the Giants poised to possibly draft a rookie QB into the room with Daniel Jones.
If the Giants aren’t sure of Jones’ health for Week 1 coming off his ACL rehab, they’ll need a veteran stopgap to start the year. And Taylor would be a natural fit, knowing the offense and staff. He’d have to weigh staying in New York, though, with the knowledge that he wouldn’t be on the field for long. His injuries are also a concern, and all signs are pointing to Jones being ready when the season comes.
