New York Giants Should Prioritize Resigning Jonathan Hankins Over Jason Pierre-Paul
The New York Giants need to prioritize re-signing defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins over defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul
With NFL free agency still several weeks away, the New York Giants have plenty of time to contemplate what moves they want to make. When the time comes to do so, the Giants may have a very big decision to make – whether to re-sign defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins or defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul.
Hankins and Pierre-Paul Were Both Key To the Giants 2016 Success
Hankins and Pierre-Paul were both crucial to the Giants regular season success. On one hand, Hankins was a run stopper for Big Blue. He recorded a combined 43 tackles, three sacks, and formed a formidable tackle duo which featured Damon Harrison and himself.
On the other hand, Pierre-Paul bounced back very nicely from his sporadic 2015 campaign. He recorded seven sacks and looked like the Pierre-Paul of old, but he also missed the final four games of the regular season, as well as the Giants NFC Wild Card game.
Jason Pierre-Paul is a lifelong Giant, and no one can take that away from him, but his time in the Big Apple may have to come to an end.
Hankins Will Cost Less
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While Pierre-Paul has been on and off in terms of his consistency the last few years, he will likely still command a hefty deal in free agency. That puts the Giants in a rough spot to re-sign the Pro Bowler, considering their needs in other areas.
The Giants are in desperate need of an offensive line that can protect Eli Manning, and also another receiving threat; however, they’re not in desperate need of a defensive upgrade. But, they do need to retain one of their defensive linemen. Hankins should be the one they keep.
Despite playing well in 2016, Hankins likely won’t command an insane amount of money in free agency. Pierre-Paul is a different story. With his window of stardom closing with each passing year, Jason Pierre-Paul will likely look to cash in before its too late, especially when the injuries are factored in.
His potential contract demands may very well force the Giants to let the pro bowler walk in free agency. Pierre-Paul has been the heart and soul of the Giants defense, but when you consider what he may be worth on the open market, the Giants can’t pay him.
Vernon Sets The Market For Pierre-Paul
Last year, the Giants went on a free agent spending spree dishing out a combined $200 million to cornerback Janoris Jenkins, nose tackle Damon Harrison, and defensive end Olivier Vernon – who may set the market for Pierre-Paul.
Vernon signed a five-year, $85.5 million dollar deal with the Giants, and considering that Vernon hadn’t been considered elite until this year, Pierre-Paul may pursue a similar deal. The Giants can’t budge if that’s the case.
Pierre-Paul is still a great defensive end, but a deal of that magnitude is something the Giants can’t roll the dice on. As a result, they need to turn their attention to keeping Hankins.
The Giants Can’t Let Hankins Walk
After four years with New York, Hankins will have the opportunity to gauge interest from other teams when he hits free agency, but the Giants should have the upper hand.
When you take into account that New York’s been home to him his entire career, it may be hard for Hankins to leave so soon. He also posted a video on Twitter titled “to be continued…” possibly signaling that he intends to resign with the team.
Another thing to consider is the Giants recent history with defensive tackles of their own in free agency.
Recent History Should Be A Model For The Giants To Resign Hankins
In 2011, the Giants let defensive tackle Barry Cofield walk to the rival Washington Redskins, where he was a solid contributor. In 2014, the Giants let Linval Joseph walk to the Minnesota Vikings, where he has now become one of the NFL’s premier tackles.
The lesson here is that general manager Jerry Reese and the Giants have a shaky track record when it comes to letting defensive tackles of their own walk in free agency, meaning they must re-sign Hankins. The Giants must learn from their mistakes and re-sign their run stopper, and let him grow into a superstar lineman.
Pierre-Paul has been the heart and soul of the Giants defense in his six years with them, but the Giants need to prioritize keeping defensive tackle Hankins over him. Hankins has become a run stopper and a valuable piece to the Giants elite defense.
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He was a big part of their formidable defensive unit last year. When you take into consideration their recent history with defensive lineman in free agency, and Pierre-Paul’s potential mega deal, the Giants should prioritize keeping Johnathan Hankins in free agency.