NY Giants Rumors: Hakeem Nicks, Justin Tuck, Linval Joseph Top Free Agents As Mike Evans, Eric Ebron and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix Draft Options?

Jan 24, 2014 01:17 PM EST

The NY Giants have some major issues coming up this offseason and free agency is one of them and with Hakeem Nicks, Justin Tuck, Linval Joseph, Terrell Thomas and Brandon Myers among others hitting the market, the draft will be even more important and in their first mock draft, ESPN says the team could pick names like Mike Evans, Eric Ebron or Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

The Giants have some major issues with the offensive line and the salary cap and it will take some interesting maneuvering for the G-Men and Jerry Reese if they want to keep even two of the three major free agents. Tuck had a strong finish to the season and he wants to stay in New York, but the Giants want to do it at the right price, while Joseph and Nicks will also be commending some major attention.

Joseph has been one of the most consistent players for the Giants on the defensive line, but it may take a big commitment to keep him, while Nicks is in the toughest situation. The Giants love what Nicks can do and they realize they wouldn't have won the Super Bowl without him, but the past two years have been a mess and this season he did not even register a touchdown catch. Many have speculated that the Giants could franchise tag Nicks and then work things out later, but that may be tough to pull off as well.

The team also has cap issues with Chris Snee and Davis Baas on the offensive line, as botyh were injured last season and have decent cap numbers. Snee is the son in law of Tom Coughlin, but that won't stop the Giants from getting business done, while Baas was injured for nearly all of last season, missing 13 games in the process. Nicks is the major issue and depending on what the team does with him should affect what they do in the draft.

ESPN and Mel Kiper see Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans as an option if Nicks is allowed to go and that would be a great pick, while tight end Eric Ebron could be the long term solution the team has lacked for the last five years. He is one of those athletic tight ends that can make a different and with the Ben McAdoo offense, he could be a huge snag and since the team has not had a major tight end in a few years, that could change with the departure of Mike Pope and the new offensive coordinator coming in. Ebron comes out of school after making 62 catches for nearly 1,000 yards last season with North Carolina and he showed his skills in the biggest games, making eight receptions for nearly 200 yards against the Miami Hurricanes.

The Giants have "giant" decisions to make this offseason.

Get the Most Popular Stories in a Weekly Newsletter
Array

Join the Conversation

  • Get Connected
  • Share
  • Like Us on Facebook
  • @sportswr
  • Recommend on Google
Real Time Analytics