Better buckle up!

Giants offseason will be full of talent and tension

Football’s rumor mill is churning, and soon it will kick into high gear at the NFL Combine in two weeks, followed by the opening of free agency in mid-March.

This means the Giants’ roster will look a lot different in 40 days than it does now.

How different? Let’s dive into the Daily News’ weekly Giants/ NFL offseason mailbag to discuss, with questions submitted to my Twitter (@PLeonardNYDN) and Instagram (@patleonard_nfl).

“If there was one guaranteed way to describe this Giants offseason in a few months, what would it be?”

- Question from sam.kirk13 on Instagram

Two words come to mind, Sam: talent and tension. There will be a talent infusion due to the Giants’ high draft picks and available cap space. The team will add some playmakers on both sides of the ball to a barren roster. Tension comes to mind, too, though, because I think Joe Judge’s no-nonsense approach is going to create some necessary and constructive conflict, whether it be in draft collaboration with GM Dave Gettleman or practice regimens with the players.

Understand what I’m saying: I think hiring and empowering Judge is going to change the way the Giants have operated in some respects, but that is a good thing, since they are an NFL-worst 12-36 the past three seasons. Their way hasn’t worked.

I also think, as always, the quarterback position will define this offseason, too: both Eli Manning’s retirement and Daniel Jones’ progression. Manning’s stepping away gives the organization and Judge space to breathe. But Jones also must improve, and while Gettleman called him their clear QB of the future, it will be interesting to see if Judge brings in young QB competition or simply signs a veteran backup with Jones the clear No. 1.

“What do you think of this bombshell trade: Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley for the No. 1 pick to draft Joe Burrow? The Giants would still keep their No. 4 pick. If the Bengals wanted more, throw in Evan Engram or a No. 1 2021 pick. The QB is the most important position in football. If your QB is a turnover machine, most likely that won’t change.”

- Question from Gerard via email

Gerard, there is one major reason the Giants would not make this trade: they retained Gettleman as GM when they fired head coach Pat Shurmur. If they had completely lost faith in Gettleman’s No. 2 and No. 6 overall picks in the last two drafts, the GM would have had no legs to stand on and they would have canned him, too. And you’d better believe that if Gettleman is going to make this work, he is going to do it with his guys, not by bailing on his prized players and asking for a second mulligan.

I agree with the premise of your question, though, which essentially is that while Jones and Barkley have shown promising traits, they need to improve in years two and three, respectively, solidify their places as long-term mainstays in New York — especially since Gettleman’s time here could run out in this next year.

“If there is a lock for the Giants in free agency, who is it?”

- Question from jakescott510 on Instagram

Jake, I think my best answer to this is someone from the New England Patriots. Kyle Van Noy, the outside LB/edge rusher, is as good an answer as any because he would fill several needs. He’d give the Giants more talent at a key position. He’d provide veteran leadership and knowledge of the system that former Patriots/Dolphins assistant Patrick Graham will run as Giants defensive coordinator. Van Noy is a versatile, hybrid-type player who gives coaches flexibility. And the Giants hopefully would be able to pay him without breaking the bank (say, three years for $30 million?).

The Giants’ decision on whether to re-sign veteran pass rusher Markus Golden may impact their pursuit of Van Noy. Golden and Van Noy were similarly effective as pass rushers last season. Golden may find a bigger payday on the open market. He is also more of an exclusive pass rusher, while Van Noy does more. The Giants need depth on the edge, too, in addition to talent. This will also depend on whether they break the bank for a younger, big-time edge.

Other Patriots free agents to watch include offensive guard Joe Thuney, wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, LB Jamie Collins, safety Devin McCourty, and special teamers Matthew Slater and Nate Ebner.

“Any thoughts on the XFL? Any rules/players you’d like to see in the NFL?”

- Question from nmorello13 on Instagram

Nick, I’m intrigued by their twist on kickoffs, which may be a way to make the play even safer while keeping it in the sport. The coverage team lines up on the return team’s 35-yard line, and the return team lines up just five yards away on its own 30. And then no one can move to block each other until the returner receives the ball or until three seconds after the ball touches the ground.

The NFL already has made changes to the kickoff, including the elimination of wedge blocks by two or more players aligned shoulder-to-shoulder. And special teams players don’t want kickoffs eliminated, because in some cases it could rob specialists who don’t contribute on offense or defense of their jobs. But if the XFL’s kickoff method limits concussions and injuries, it should be considered.

The NFL’s concussions rose from 214 in 2018 to 224 in 2019, and the league said it did 485 concussion evaluations overall in preseason and regular season games this past season. The league should always consider alternatives that make the game safer (but of course as I say this, the NFL is considering a 17-game regular season!)