Giants sign seven new players, retain five in first week of free agency Safety/Special Teamer Nate Ebner
The Giants entered free agency with the fourth-highest cap space in the NFL (approximately $73 million), which may have led some to believe that they would be splurging similar to when former general manager Jerry Reese doled out huge contracts in 2016.
But current general manager Dave Gettleman prudently exercised restraint — an approach that should give the Giants a chance to be better in the short term while also being set up well financially in the long term when it comes time to extend quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley.
In the past week the team has agreed to deals with seven new players and five returning players, which according to Spotrac leaves New York with approximately $7 million remaining in cap space.
That accounts for the $12 million projected by Spotrac for the Giants’ 10 draft picks next month, but still, Gettleman has little wiggle room to do much more in free agency. Even with a few more costcutting measures with current personnel, he’s down to seeking out veteran bargains and then building through the draft.
As previously covered, the Giants franchise-tagged Leonard Williams, placed a second-round tender on kicker Aldrick Rosas and re-signed linebacker David Mayo for three years. They also agreed to re-sign wide receivers Cody Core for two years last week and Corey Coleman for one year on Monday, according to ESPN.
Here’s a breakdown of the additions to the roster thus far. immediate starter on New York’s defense.
The 26-year-old was a fourth-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2016, and while making 48 straight starts in the last three seasons he led the NFL with 443 total tackles.
Martinez should slide into New York’s defense as a solid run defender with sharp instincts, but the 6-foot-2, 237-pounder possesses limited athleticism and isn’t much of a play-maker. He has 10 sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in four seasons. He also allowed 59 receptions in 2019, the eighthmost among all linebackers last year, according to PFF.
So while Martinez may be an upgrade over the recently cut Alec Ogletree, pass coverage at the second level of the defense remains a concern for the Giants. was Green Bay’s linebackers coach.
While not a premier pass rusher — New York still needs one of those at some point to become a serious contender — Fackrell has a similar skill set to Golden, who rebounded with 10 sacks last season when reunited with former defensive coordinator James Bettcher.
The fact that Judge is bringing in Ebner on a oneyear deal is unsurprising. The 31-year-old was a standout special teamer for the last eight years with the New England Patriots, playing roughly 80 percent of the special teams snaps while logging just 139 career snaps on defense, according to PFF.