New York Giants: 5 bold predictions for the offseason
By Ryan Disdier
Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback
Eli Manning(10) walks off the field after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. The Eagles defeated the Giants 34-26. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
This season was a disappointing one for the New York Giants. Despite having some incredible plays – ones that were pretty much all made by Odell Beckham Jr. – the team failed to make the postseason for the fourth-straight time since 2011. The Giants obviously need to improve, and the offseason will be a great place to start.
With free agency and the draft on the horizon, it’s time to look at five bold predictions for the New York Giants’ offseason.
More from New York Giants
- New York Giants deliberately disrespecting Saquon Barkley at this point
- 2023 NFL Season: Saquon Barkley signs silly deal with Giants
- New York Giants make big move with star RB disgruntled
- NFL: Which Giant deserved a contract extension – Barkley or Jones?
- 5 NFL teams that will definitely disappoint fans in 2023
5. At least two starters from 2014 will not be brought back
The Giants need to do everything they can to conserve money, and if trimming some fat is the best way to do it, then so be it.
New York has no problem cutting veterans, even fan-favorites like Ahmad Bradshaw. The fact of the matter is that football is a business, and if the Giants feel like some players aren’t worth their contract, they’ll let them walk.
I think the two most likely candidates to be handed walking papers are defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka and center J.D. Walton.
Kiwanuka has been treading water for the past few years, and he doesn’t offer the team a whole lot at this juncture of his career. He’s no longer a situational pass-rusher, he can’t fill in at linebacker like he did in the past and he saw his 2014 season end prematurely do to an injury.
Walton, despite playing sufficiently last year, could also see his contract get terminated. The Giants could decide to go the cheaper route and draft a player with a skill set similar to Walton’. That would make sense, considering the team eventually wants Weston Richburg to move back to his natural position at center.
Quintin Demps and Stevie Brown are two more players that might be let go. Brown and a rough year after a torn ACL, and Demps was a liability at times in the secondary.
As sad as it is, one release is guaranteed, and that’s the release of retired running back David Wilson. Wilson is technically still on the team, so his release should be expected.
Next: Old faces