Big Blue Huddle

Lance Zierlein article from NFL.com:

QuoteProjected compensatory pick: One in Round 4.

Key free-agent losses: Xavier McKinney (Packers), Saquon Barkley (Eagles), A'Shawn Robinson (Panthers), Tyrod Taylor (Jets), Ben Bredeson (Buccaneers).

Key free-agent additions: Jon Runyan Jr., Devin Singletary, Drew Lock, Jermaine Eluemunor.



McKinney should qualify the Giants for a fourth-round pick, while the other four losses are canceled out by comparable free-agent signings.

https://www.nfl.com/news/2025-nfl-draft-compensatory-pick-projections-for-every-team

It's easier to joke and say he would have taken a long snapper and a punt returner in 2021 but to be serious for a moment, what do you think Dave would have done the last two drafts given his draft patterns historically? Would he have taken Thibs and Neal or trade up a spot for Banks? Would have have taken W'andale or Hyatt? I'm actually curious.

QuoteAppearing on The Wyman and Bob Show, Schneider claimed that the Giants sold Lock on the possibility of winning the starting job over Daniel Jones.

"They basically sold him on the opportunity to compete to be the starter," Schneider said. "And he felt like it was the right opportunity. He looked at Baker Mayfield's opportunity last year and felt that this could be something similar."

The only problem? That never happened.

During his introductory press conference, Lock told reporters that Giants brass made it abundantly clear that Jones would remain the starter and he would serve as the backup.

"Daniel Jones is the starter of this team. That's been conveyed to me," Lock said. "Now, I need to come in and push Daniel to be the best that he can be. That's the role that I played for Geno (Smith), that's the role I played for Teddy (Bridgewater)."



Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports that like Lock, the Giants informed Wilson that Jones would remain the starter and there was no guarantee he'd receive significant playing time.

Lock, indeed, was not offered a chance to compete for the starting job, according to a league source. The Giants did sell him on the idea of working with head coach Brian Daboll, who has a quarterback-friendly system that led to Jones' best season in 2022.
There's a pattern here, too. The Giants had an exploratory meeting last week with Russell Wilson, and the team didn't make any promises about playing time, according to league sources. That's been the Giants' approach as they've built toward the 2024 season with Jones as the expected starter.

Despite outside speculation, Giants general manager Joe Schoen has been remarkably transparent about the team's stance on Jones. When he's healthy, he's the starter and their faith in him has not waned.

https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-told-russell-wilson-daniel-110254704.html

This is a compilation of draft prospect visits sorted by prospect. The data was acquired via Charlie Campbell (@draftcampbell) and other media sources.

COM – Combine meeting.

PRI – Private visit. Prospect making an official 30 visit.

New York Giants

Jayden Daniels, Quarterback, LSU (COM)

Jaylan Ford, Outside Linebacker, Texas (COM)

Jaden Hicks, Safety, Washington State (COM)

Adisa Isaac^, Defensive End, Penn State (COM, PRI)

Drake Maye, Quarterback, North Carolina (COM)

J.J. McCarthy, Quarterback, Michigan (COM)

Malik Nabers, Wide Receiver, LSU (COM)

Bo Nix, Quarterback, Oregon (COM)

Rome Odunze, Wide Receiver, Washington (COM)

Brenden Rice, Wide Receiver, USC (COM)

https://walterfootball.com/ProspectMeetingsByTeam2024.php

You see teams getting rid of QB's as soon as they realize they aren't the guy yet the Giants are still trying to make Daniel Jones happen heading into year 6 smh

Also how does this lock us into drafting a QB unless we trade up with a team who shouldn't trade down? The first 3 picks will be QB's and Giants will have to settle for QB 4. 

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1769131924717478314

Steeler realized immediately that Pickett wasn't it and moved on yet the Giants tried to make Daniel Jones happen for 5 years then pay him big bucks smh

https://twitter.com/dmrussini/status/1767220260220862784

Gardner Minshew

"Minshew could make sense as New York's insurance option for the early portion of the 2024 season as Daniel Jones recovers from a torn ACL, with Tyrod Taylor set to hit free agency after sitting on the bench while Tommy Devito started despite clearly being the best quarterback available. Minshew gets to once again start a few games and perhaps fill in if Jones, unfortunately, gets hurt again. There may not be starting jobs available for Minshew after a solid year in Indianapolis, but this is a solid opportunity."

2 Years / $17.5m, $9m guaranteed

D'Andre Swift

"If the Giants elect to move on from Saquon Barkley, they could pivot to another former top draft pick who played in their division the past year. Swift showed growth in 2023, hitting the designed hole and not trying to bounce outside too often -- an area Barkley has similarly improved in over the years -- and offers pass-catching ability, as well."

3 Years / $18.75m, $12m guaranteed

A.J. Dillon

"If the Giants move on from Saquon Barkley, they will need multiple players to fill that void, arguably as many as three backs depending on how they felt about rookie Eric Gray's debut season. Gray is built like a tree trunk and was trusted with some punt return duties because he has solid start-stop ability & acceleration. Here, Dillon is part of a committee and adds speed to replace Matt Breida."

2 Years / $6.5m, $4m guaranteed

Kevin Dotson

"The Giants desperately need to improve the league's worst offensive line from 2023, and while much will be made of the right tackle spot, where 2022 top-10 pick Evan Neal has really struggled, adding a top-end pass protector next to the right tackle could go a long way in stabilizing the right side of the offensive line."

4 Years / $69m, $41.25 guaranteed

Dalton Risner

"The Giants could look to lock down their other guard spot with a good pass-protecting left guard in Risner, who settled in after his late arrival to Minnesota this season."

3 Years / $16.5m, $10m guaranteed

Kyle Dugger

"Dugger received the transition tag, so teams can still sign him to offer sheets in the hope of stealing him away from the Patriots, who may not be so inclined to match a hypothetical deal if it reaches a certain number.

The Giants elected to let Xavier McKinney test free agency, so here they hypothetically add a chess piece who can come down and make plays in the box, with linebacker Bobby Okereke being a solid coverage player and the rest of the safety room serving as more ball-hawking types."

4 Years / $53m, $29m guaranteed

Sean Murphy-Bunting

"New Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen in this scenario recruits Murphy-Bunting to follow him from Tennessee, where recent draft picks like 2023 first-round pick Deonte Banks started to show a lot of promise to close out the season. Depth is still needed, though."

1 Year / $4m, $3.25m guaranteed

Taylor Rapp

"The Giants could be set to lose safety Xavier McKinney and need potentially several additions. Rapp is a good playmaker down in the box who could pair well with the rangy Jason Pinnock at free safety."

No projection

Azeez Al-Shaair

"New Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen was the Titans' defensive coordinator in 2023, and finding a running mate for linebacker Bobby Okereke will be important, tough New York also desperately needs help along the defensive line and in the secondary. Nonetheless, the duo would form one of the better run-defending linebacker tandems in the NFL."

3 Years / $20.25m, $11.5m guaranteed

Tyrel Dodson

"Giants general manager Joe Schoen was a member of the front office that added Dodson as an undrafted free agent in 2019, and he finally got to showcase his skills in 2023 following a bunch of injuries. New Yoek may need to focus it's real spending in the trenches, so the team adds a low-cost, agile backer with familiarity."

1 Year / $3.25m, $2m guaranteed

Zach Cunningham

"New Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen added Cunningham off waivers in 2021 and kept him aboard for 2022. Cunningham is still a very capable run defender who can shed tackles and make plays around the line of scrimmage."

1 Year / $2.75m, $2.25m guaranteed

Bilal Nichols

"New Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen has done a lot of great work aiding in the development of defensive linemen, valuing versatile players who bring consistency and effort."

2 Years / $10m, $6.75m guaranteed

Bryce Huff

"Huff adds an immediate impact on money downs for any team willing to pay a bit extra to acquire a premium designated pass rusher, a skill set the Giants need desperately."

3 Years / $50m, $35m guaranteed

Leonard Floyd

"The Gianrs need to add several pieces on the edge for new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, and there is the connection here with general manager Joe Schoen formerly working with the Buffalo Bills."

1 Year / $6m, $6m guaranteed

Denico Autry

"New Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen comes over from Tennessee, where Autry just had several of the best seasons of his length career."

1 Year / $7.25m, $7.25m guaranteed

Yannick Ngakoue

"We've mentioned the Giants plenty, but the edge rush talent beyond Kayvon Thibodeaux is virtually non-existent, and New York is likely selecting too early at No. 6 overall to consider taking a defensive player - perhaps after a trade-down, if they go that route."

1 Year / $4m, $4m guaranteed

"Going to New York wouldn't be a bad idea. The QB situation, they're gonna figure it out, especially if they have a caliber receiver coming like me. They're gonna wanna get me the ball so I'm sure they're gonna wanna get a QB that can do that."

https://twitter.com/WBG84/status/1763932797100556790

It ends any salary commitments, but not signing bonus and restructure amounts. I believe it's a measure to protect against teams pressuring/colluding with players to retire early to game the salary cap. The flexible luxury tax rules in baseball are basically made to be gamed.

Quote from: madbadger on February 14, 2024, 08:50:33 PMAnd yet they held one of the best offensive teams in the league to 19 points in regulation despite playing on a short field several times.

So did the Ravens. The Chiefs were not the 2018-2019 version. They had Mahomes-Kelce-and a whole lot of "which one of you is gonna step up today". 

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1757858426942627991

There aren't DC openings available

https://twitter.com/allbrightnfl/status/1755604632951574767?t=Q6mWmp3eSZGJBIB5ceTvOA

People have said fans and media tend to look at stats, production and success while NFL looks at traits and what they feel translates to the NFL.

Mike Kafka will have assistant head coach duties added to his role as offensive coordinator. Secondary coach Jerome Henderson will also be the defensive passing game coordinator, and quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney will take on the additional role of offensive passing game coordinator.

https://twitter.com/art_stapleton/status/1755334817846120760