New York Giants Rumors: Offensive Line, Defensive Back Updates
New York Giants Rumors: With a spending spree already occurring on the defensive line and cornerback, the Giants could be turning their attention to the offensive line and slot corner.
New York Giants rumors continue to swirl as we are almost a week into the NFL Free Agency period. The Giants were very active in the early going, drastically upgrading their defense in the opening hours. The defensive line was greatly upgraded with Olivier Vernon and Damon Harrison joining Jason Pierre-Paul, while Janoris Jenkins will combine with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie for a solid outside cornerback duo.
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But, there are still some holes for the Giants to fill, with the offensive line and secondary still being atop that list. The Giants could use some help at wide receiver as well, but the latest rumors have the Giants in the market for another cornerback and on the short list for arguably the top offensive lineman remaining on the market.
According to Jordan Ranaan and James Kratch of NJ.com, the Giants have been linked to offensive tackle Russell Okung. Okung is arguably the best offensive lineman left on the market, but his career has been derailed a bit in recent seasons because of injuries. According to Jason La Canfora, Okung has multiple offers on the table and one of them is from the Giants.
Russell Okung has offers on table from Lions, Steelers and Giants. Talking to PIT OL coach Mike Munchak today. No other visits for now
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 14, 2016
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It would be fair to say the Giants may be third on that list of teams. According to sources that have knowledge of the situation, the Giants are looking for offensive line help on the cheap; in other words, they more than likely gave Okung a one-year offer. That strategy could make it difficult for the Giants to land Okung, as the Steelers and Lions have clear needs and probably are offering more money.
Unlike the Giants, they also have a clear idea of where Okung will play. With 2015 first round pick Ereck Flowers taking over at left tackle last season for the injured Will Beatty, speeding up his development process, Okung doens’t have a clear spot on the Giants offensive line. It would make little sense to stunt Flowers’ growth and move him back to right tackle, so the Giants are more than likely to look elsewhere, such as offensive tackle Donald Penn. Penn is older at 32-years old, so the Giants could probably get him on a more affordable contract.
In addition to the offensive line help, Ranaan says that the Giants are still looking at help at cornerback. Despite landing the top option on the open market in Jenkins, the Giants are still in the market for a third cornerback capable of playing the slot. Ranaan has two options to keep an eye on to fill that need.
#Giants have been looking around for CBs, especially those that play in slot. 2 names to keep eye on: Patrick Robinson and Jerraud Powers
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) March 14, 2016
Patrick Robinson was selected in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, and finally put things together in 2015 with the San Diego Chargers after the New Orleans Saints moved on from him. Robinson graded out as the 28th ranked cornerback out of 118 qualifiers, grading out well in both the run and coverage. He would be another upgrade for the Giants in the secondary, giving them a solid trio to help improve their horrific pass defense from 2015.
Jerraud Powers spent the 2015 season with the Arizona Cardinals and would be another solid option for the Giants to add to their secondary. Like Robinson, Powers is currently 28-years old, so the Giants would be getting a player in the midst of his prime years. Powers started his career with the Indianapolis Colts, as they selected him in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
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Robinson probably has more upside than Powers does, but each would represent an upgrade for the Giants over what they had at the position in 2015.