New York Giants: Early 2018 Free Agency grades, obeservations

The New York Giants went into 2018 NFL Free Agency like a lamb and out like a lion.

The 2018 NFL year began on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. ET and the New York Giants opened the year with a bang. It started with a move that can be described by some as decent, but not great, when they announced they were going to sign former Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart.

Then, came the biggest announcement for them, and it was right before the official start of the league year. They signed left tackle Nate Solder to a four-year, $62 million deal with $34.8 million guaranteed. Boom goes the dynamite. This move allows them to move Ereck Flowers to right tackle or inside to guard. It also sets them up to make the draft a win-now draft.

The Giants actually can cut Solder after two years with very little cap penalty, $8 million in 2020 and $4 million in 2021. 2020 is when Eli Manning’s contract is up too. So, it’s clear the Giants think Manning still has something left to give them.

It also may broaden their draft strategy beyond the quarterback position. If they believe Manning can give them something this year and next year, then they will continue to build the team for one last run at a Lombardi trophy.

They do still have to cut players, because right now, they’re over the cap. It’s ok to be over the cap right now, because only the top 51 count during the offseason. However, they will have to get under it by the time preseason begins.

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All in all, the Giants have done the best they can, given their cap situation going into the offseason. If they truly are in win-now mode, they will have to hit a home run in the NFL Draft like they did in Free Agency.

Free Agency Grade: A-