NFL free agency has begun, and with analysis from our NFL Nation writers and expert ratings, we’re keeping tabs on every significant signing, trade, and release of the 2023 offseason. The official start of the new league year was March 15, at 4 p.m. ET. This means that free agent signings are now possible. ESPN will air the first round of the 2023 NFL draft on April 27.
Just minutes before the March 7 franchise tag deadline, quarterback Daniel Jones and the New York Giants agreed to a four-year contract. Jones has a $160 million contract, of which $82 million is guaranteed at signing. Additionally, sources tell ESPN that there are incentives worth up to $35 million.
After Jones’ signing, the Giants quickly placed running back Saquon Barkley under the nonexclusive franchise tag. According to the nonexclusive franchise tender, Barkley will earn $10.1 million in 2023.
Before the formal start of free agency last month, the Giants re-signed wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins, tight end Lawrence Cager, and guard Jack Anderson, three of their exclusive rights free agents.
The Giants’ primary need in both the draft and free agency is still wide receiver. On March 15, wide receiver Kenny Golladay was formally released by the Giants in order to avoid paying $6.7 million in salary cap penalties. Golladay was unutilized by the new coaching staff, and this season’s injuries sidelined a number of their other best receivers.
The following lists every 2023 NFL free agent that the Giants signed, along with an analysis of how each will affect the forthcoming campaign:
Jamison Crowder, a wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills, is joining the Giants on a one-year contract, an ESPN source revealed on Thursday.
What it means: The wide receiver room is still growing as the Giants acquire players, particularly those who operate predominantly out of the slot. Although Crowder, Wan’Dale Robinson, Parris Campbell, Sterling Shepard, and Shepard are all natural slot receivers, the Giants’ offense demands variety from its receivers. Crowder played for the Bills in 2022, so he ought to blend in well with Daboll’s offense. A prior bond between Crowder, a Duke product, and Jones dates back to some of their offseason Duke/North Carolina sessions.
What’s at risk: He will be thirty this year and is recovering from an ankle fracture that kept him out of four games the previous campaign. For the past three years, Crowder has experienced a decline in receiving yards. Additionally, his skill set appears to be very similar to that of the Giants’ current roster. Furthermore, there’s no assurance he’ll make the final roster. Fortunately, there isn’t a large financial commitment to the seasoned receiver.
