By Eddie Castro
In last week’s column, I discussed the potential draft selections for both the Jets and Giants. Both teams will look to improve after 4th and last place finishes in their respective divisions. The Giants last made the playoffs in 2022, but lost in the divisional round. The Jets currently hold the longest playoff drought in all four major sports at 14 seasons.
With the Giants having to watch their division rival Philadelphia Eagles hoist the Vince Lombardi trophy, they will look to make significant changes to the roster. For both teams, it starts with a quarterback.
The Giants are coming off one of their worse seasons ever winning a total of three games. The team currently holds the No. 3 overall pick in the draft and will likely select a quarterback. It is a foregone conclusion that the first three picks of the draft will involve Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. Who is “Big Blue” leaning toward remains unknown.
The teams’ next move will be to ensure their next quarterback is indeed their franchise guy for the next decade and by doing that, having the offensive weapons to throw to is a necessity.
Their top receiver Darius Slayton is a free agent and his market value is expected to be around the $15 million per year range. I expect General Manager Joe Schoen will at least make and offer to the 28-year old receiver.
If Slayton does decide to test the market, the Giants will be left with 23-year old Jalin Hyatt alongside Malik Nabers as far as top tier receiving options. Hyatt will most likely receive more playing time as he enters his third season as a pro.
The one player the Giants should go after is receiver Mack Hollins. Hollins 31, stands at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds and Is known as one of the most physically dominant receivers in the game. He spent last year with the Buffalo Bills and had a career year.
Hollins would definitely help fill in the gap at the position for the Giants. Mike Williams will also be another big body option at receiver if they were to miss out on Hollins.
As for the New York Jets, they are unlikely not positioned to land Ward or Sanders in the draft unless one unexpectedly drops to them No.7 overall, the pick the team currently holds. The Jets can still grab a quarterback in the later rounds of the draft but the one name that should be on Jet fans wish list is quarterback Justin Fields.
After some tough times in Chicago, Fields had a pretty nice first year in Pittsburgh. Jets Head Coach Aaron Glenn has made it a priority to change the culture and provide a fresh start for the organization with a revamped coaching staff he has brought in. At 26-years old, Fields could thrive and benefit from a fresh start in New York.
The Jets are projected to have $20.59 million in salary cap space. That number could increase to $31 million if they cut ties with Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams and Allen Lazard. The Jets will also look at the cornerback market. D.J. Reed is expected to test free agency. Charvarius Ward or Carlton Davis would be solid replacements for Reed alongside Sauce Gardner. The Jets also need to fill holes at right guard, left guard and tight end positions.
The NFL season is officially done, however, it should be a very busy off-season for both New York football teams. Will they make the necessary moves to get them one step closer to the playoffs? If any free agent news were to occur, Our Time Press, will have it covered for you. The NFL’s legal tampering period begins March 10. Stay tuned.