The New York Giants will have a solid amount of money to use in NFL free agency this season, and one team insider believes they will “aggressively” use that money to target the top two receivers on this year’s market.
There weren’t high expectations for the Giants after a 6-11 finish in 2023. However, the organization did not expect them to be as bad as they were this season. Following an upset win in Week 5 over the Seattle Seahawks they were within a game of .500. That would be as close as they got as they would go on to lose 11 of their next 12 games en route to a 3-14 finish.
While New York has some nice pieces on defense, their offense is a mess and they have several areas they need to address this offseason. The focus since the end of the season has been on the Giants using their picks early in each round of April’s NFL Draft to improve their offense — especially the quarterback spot.
However, NFL free agency will be another option for the team to bolster the roster this spring. Especially since they could have close to $50 million in cap space. Yet, while the team has been linked to some veteran QBs, SNY NFL insider Connor Hughes believes the organization might instead use their funds to get an elite running mate for talented young receiver Malik Nabers.
In a new column taking a look at the various players the New York Giants could pursue in free agency, Hughes suggested wide receiver could be a focus to get more weapons for a rookie QB next season. As well as why Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins could be a top target.
Could the New York Giants target Tee Higgins and Stefon Diggs in free agency?
“The Giants have Malik Nabers on a rookie contract. They also look primed to have a rookie quarterback. This gives them cap flexibility to spend a little more aggressively elsewhere,” he wrote. “Higgins is undeniably the top free agent option available. There are some durability concerns, but when on the field, he is a dynamic player.
“The key for the Giants will be surrounding whatever quarterback they select with as much talent as possible. Nabers, Higgins, and Wan’Dale Robinson would give the franchise its best crop of pass catchers since Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, and Victor Cruz.”
However, he also offered an interesting backup option if they don’t land Higgins: Four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs. The four-time Pro Bowler has a history with head coach Brian Daboll. And Hughes believes Diggs could come at a reasonable cost.
“Diggs, coming off a season-ending knee injury, is not the player he once was,” he wrote. “But concerns about his age and durability will drive his price down and likely scare off some teams. He’s a nice consolation prize if the Giants don’t land Higgins.”
