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Minutes before the March 7 franchise tag deadline, the New York Giants reached a four-year agreement with quarterback Daniel Jones. The extension is worth $160 million, with $82 million guaranteed at signing and up to $35 million in incentives.
Following Jones' deal, the Giants applied the non-exclusive franchise tag to running back Saquon Barkley, who will earn $10.1 million in 2023 under the non-exclusive franchise tender.
Once the deals for the two most important pieces were agreed, New York could turn their attention to filling out the roster in Free Agency.
New York Giants signings
The New York Giants traded their 2023 third-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller. The move aimed to improve the team's pass-catching options for quarterback Daniel Jones by focusing on the tight end position instead of the weak wide receiver class in free agency.
Waller, who has had two ultra-productive years in his seven seasons, has been limited by injuries in the past two years, appearing in only 20 of the Raiders' 34 games.
The Giants are gambling that the 30-year-old tight end can stay healthy and prove to be worth the third-round pick and $11 million in salary he will cost this season. Waller's guaranteed money runs out after this year, which provides the Giants an out if it doesn't work out.
Former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Parris Campbell signed to a one-year deal worth up to $6.7 million with $3 million fully guaranteed. Campbell, who has a history of injuries and didn't produce much until this past season despite being a second-round pick, has a chance to be a significant contributor among the Giants' thin wide receiving corps.
The 25-year-old receiver possesses speed and versatility, which coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka can utilize. Campbell is near the top of the Giants' depth chart, along with Isaiah Hodgins and Wan'Dale Robinson, and is worth the investment on a one-year deal.
New York re-signed wide receiver Darius Slayton to a two-year deal. The receiving corps has taken shape without a true No. 1. Slayton, Parris Campbell, Isaiah Hodgins, and Wan'Dale Robinson will sit at the top of the depth chart entering the draft.
Slayton, who seemingly gets 700-plus yards receiving every year and is a favorite of Jones, overcame heavy odds from the start of last season to return. He was buried on the depth chart in the summer and was a healthy inactive Week 1 but still managed to earn the trust of the new regime and finish as the team's leading receiver. At 26 years old, Slayton seems to have a ceiling, and his 15 drops since entering the league in 2019 could be a concern.
The Giants agreed to terms with linebacker Jihad Ward on a one-year deal. The veteran fills a significant purpose on the defense, serving as an ideal complement to edge rushers Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari. Ward sets the edge and is a solid run defender at the outside linebacker position.
The 28-year-old started 11 games last season, in part because of injuries to Thibodeaux and Ojulari. Ward has played 17 games each of the past two years, despite injuries derailing the early part of his career. There shouldn't be much concern about a falloff on a one-year deal, and he brings much-needed physicality and attitude to the defense.
Former New York Jets wide receiver Jeff Smith signed on a one-year deal with very little guaranteed. Smith brings speed and some special teams experience to the team, and it's a role he sometimes filled with the Jets. It's possible Smith won't even make the final roster, but he's a young player they can take a shot on. His lack of production is concerning, as he has just 34 catches for 426 yards and no touchdowns in four seasons with the Jets.
The Giants signed Bobby Okereke, a former Indianapolis Colts linebacker, to a four-year, $40 million contract with $22 million guaranteed. The move addresses a massive need for the Giants at middle linebacker, which they prioritized this offseason. Okereke had 151 tackles last season and is a solid run defender with smarts and versatility that makes him a strong fit in Wink Martindale's defense.
The franchise re-signed backup running back Matt Breida to a one-year deal worth just over $2 million. Breida filled a useful role in his first year with the team, serving as Saquon Barkley's caddie and providing much-needed depth considering Barkley's injury history.
The Giants signed Rakeem Nunez-Roches, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle, to a three-year deal. He will add depth to the defensive line rotation and help limit snaps by Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams, who shouldered massive workloads last season.
Wide receiver Sterling Shepard re-signed to a two-year deal. Shepard is the longest-tenured player on the team and returns to continue his rehabilitation from a torn left ACL. The risk is that Shepard has an extensive injury history and nobody knows what he can really contribute at this point, but financially, the deal isn't a significant risk.
Jarrad Davis started both playoff games for New York last season and gives them a veteran presence in the inside linebackers room. This is something they lacked after releasing Blake Martinez.
Isaiah Hodgins, an exclusive rights free agent, agreed to a one-year deal at the minimum salary. Hodgins will get a shot at playing a significant role again next season after New York claimed him off waivers in November.
Wyatt Davis is a developmental player they are hoping can grow into a bigger role as an interior offensive lineman.
The Giants re-signed punter Jamie Gillan to a two-year deal. Gillan averaged a career-best 46.8 yards per punt last season and got better as the season progressed.
Notable New York Giants departures
Despite all the signings so far, only guard Nick Gates and safety Julian Love have moved on from New York. However, expect some big cuts on the horizon, such as wide receiver Kenny Golladay.
