The New York Giants still have a number of ways to clear cap space before the 2024 campaign begins; additionally, Darren Waller’s impending retirement, should the tight end decide to call it quits, may offer even further relief after June 1.
In light of this, some in the media and among fans have urged the Giants to sign former Denver Broncos two-time Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons, one of the best veterans still available. But ESPN beat writer for the Giants, Jordan Raanan, does not see that occurring.
On May 21, Raanan said, “I don’t believe so,” in response to a listener who inquired as to whether or not he thought the addition of Simmons was “realistic” on his podcast Breaking Big Blue.
He continued, “A—I don’t think they’re willing to put money into [the safety] position.” Thinking: “Remember, they don’t understand it. Unless they realized, upon glancing at their safety position this spring, that they simply could not compete with these guys. However, they have two young players that they selected in the draft, correct? Tyler Nubin this year, after Dane Belton, is someone I believe they’ll give a chance to.
Raanan continued, mentioning the departure of Xavier McKinney in free agency, “They already made the decision [that] they didn’t want to invest heavily in safety.” He added that the Giants wouldn’t allow the younger McKinney to leave in order to compensate Simmons, who is thirty years old.
According to Giants reporter Jordan Raanan, Justin Simmons will still require at least $6 to $8 million in costs by 2024.
After being selected in the third round of the 2016 NBA Draft, Simmons has spent his entire career in Denver and has not participated in a single postseason game. Therefore, it’s likely that he’s searching for a win-now scenario anyhow.
Even so, even if the Giants were to free up additional cap space, Simmons’ valuation is probably too high to work within their financial constraints.
Raanan said, “Now, granted, at this point [of free agency], he’s not going to get $12, $13, or $14 million, but you’re going to have to pay him some money.” assuming that a potential suitor will still “probably” need to “give him $6 to $8 million.”
“Somewhere in that range,” the spokesperson for the media said. “And that’s an investment, and at this [offseason] point, I don’t think the Giants really want to make it.”
Giants rookie Tyler Nubin is said to have All-Pro or Pro Bowl potential in his first season.
Since being selected in the second round of the late April draft, Nubin has received a great deal of attention from the national media.
He was named one of ten rookies by Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report on May 4 who could be Pro Bowl or All-Pro players in their first season.
“The New York Giants might need to win with a stifling defense that forces turnovers in the upcoming season,” Moton projected. Brian Burns, an edge rusher acquired by the Giants from the Carolina Panthers, will play in the defensive front three with Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence II.
He concluded that Nubin might benefit from “continuous pocket pressure up front” as a result.
The analyst said, “Nubin turned into a ball hawk at Minnesota, recording nine interceptions over the last two years.” Since 2020, he has consistently recorded more interceptions, demonstrating his consistency in coverage.
A rookie season full of impact plays and turnovers could definitely earn a spot in the Pro Bowl.
Nubin also came in second on ESPN Insider Field Yates’ list of defensive rookies who aren’t selected in the first round but who he thinks will be big players in 2024.
“The Giants had a major need to add an impact safety in the draft following the departure of safety Xavier McKinney to Green Bay,” Yates wrote. “Nubin now enters the picture. He’s a football magnet with amazing ball skills, field vision, and intuition. 13 interceptions in college, five of which came in the previous campaign,
While signing Simmons would be nice, it might be more beneficial for the Giants to focus on developing Nubin from the start. Who knows, maybe in the long run he’ll be the superior player.
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