Here is the Giants update for March:

Big Blue heads into the 2022 NFL draft with the #5 and #7 overall picks. There has been much speculation if the Giants will trade down. If the offer is right, I believe they will do it. They would be looking for a 1^st round pick in 2023 and a 1^st round pick 15-25 in this year’s draft. If a trade cannot be consummated, expect them to draft a tackle, edge, or cornerback with those 2 picks. A wildcard would be Notre Dame S Kyle Hamilton who would be a fun toy for new DC Wink Martindale. If the top 2 offensive tackles are gone, edge and corner appear to be likely although OT Charles Cross has been widely discussed as the #3 tackle in the draft. This is a deep draft for the O line as well as WR so I expect some picks later for sure. The Giants had quite a bit of work to do in order to get their salary cap situation in order prior to the draft. New GM Joe Schoen has done yeoman work here.

QB Daniel Jones will be set up for success under new HC Brian Daboll and new OC Mike Kafka. First and foremost, he needs to stay healthy. They will not trigger his 5^th year option and will see what he can do. For the cap strapped Giants, $8MM for Jones this year is a bargain. As a big upgrade behind Jones, they signed QB Tyrod Taylor to a 2 yr deal.

RB Saquon Barkley was signed for his 5^th yr option. I don’t believe he will be traded. He might not be the explosive player he once was but give him a decent offensive line, he should be very productive nonetheless. To back him up, RB Matt Breida was signed, He’s a perfect backup as he cannot withstand much wear & tear but is very explosive.

WR Kenny Golladay will lead the receiving corps and expect him to be featured prominently. In addition, I expect young WR Kadarius Toney to be utilized in multiple formations. He is a game breaker but needs to put maturity and injury issues behind him. Veteran WR Sterling Shepard took a big pay cut to stay with the team but don’t expect much. He has proven to be very brittle at this stage of his career. WR Darius Slayton will be gone and I expect them to draft a WR in rounds 3-4.

TE Evan Engram is gone and TE Ricky Seals Jones was signed to replace him. I don’t have much confidence in his ability so expect Big Blue to draft a TE to provide depth and competition.

I LOVE the hiring of new DC Wink Martindale. He will bring an aggressive style to the defense which is his trademark. To supplant this, I expect an edge rusher and/or a cornerback to be taken in the draft. An edge rusher opposite young DE Azeez Ojulari will provide a potent 1-2 punch combined with DT Leonard Williams. A lock down corner will provide much blitz flexibility as well. Rumor has it the Giants are shopping CB James Bradberry. This is mostly due to the salary cap situation. A trade would free up over $12MM. Personally, I love CB Sauce Gardner coming out of Cincinnati but he might be gone by the time the Giants pick. S Jabrill Peppers is coming off an ACL injury and will not be signed.

PK Graham Gano is a very solid and reliable kicker.

That’s it for now. More to come in April….!!!

End.