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New York Giants free agency 2017: Top 5 targets

By James Dudko

Dec 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive guard Ted Larsen (62) and Washington Redskins defensive end Chris Baker (92) in action during the game at Soldier Field. The Redskins defeat the Bears 41-21. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive guard Ted Larsen (62) and Washington Redskins defensive end Chris Baker (92) in action during the game at Soldier Field. The Redskins defeat the Bears 41-21. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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These veterans are talents the New York Giants must target during 2017 NFL free agency.

The New York Giants won 11 games in 2016, but still lost their first-time out in the playoffs. Building on head coach Ben McAdoo’s positive first year will demand Big Blue signing a competent running back during 2017’s NFL free agency.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning could also use a gifted tight end to act as a safety valve and a source of big plays over the middle. Defensively, the unit that gave up the second-fewest points in football last season needs a pocket-collapsing tackle in case free agent Johnathan Hankins walks.

More important, the Giants will need a pass-rusher if their $34,440,039 worth of salary cap space doesn’t allow them to bring back Jason Pierre-Paul.

Here are the five best free agents McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese should target once the market opens on March 9:

5. Chris Baker, DT, Washington Redskins

The Giants could soon have a huge hole at the heat of their D-line if tackle Johnathan Hankins receives an offer he can’t refuse during free agency. Hankins wasn’t always healthy or at his best in 2016, but the 24-year-old second-round pick in 2013 is still a formidable force in the middle.

Sadly for the Giants, the rest of the NFL seems to know Hankins’ value. Teams around the league are expected to pay the former Ohio State linchpin big time, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.

Fortunately for the Giants, they won’t have to look far for an adequate replacement for Hankins. In fact, Big Blue need only cast an eye over NFC East rival the Washington Redskins. The Redskins have Chris Baker headed to free agency, and the beefy 29-year-old is perfect for New York’s defense.

At 6-foot-2 and 330 pounds, Baker may be too close in body type to Giants nose tackle Damon Harrison. But there’s more to Baker’s game than just absorbing double teams and plugging the middle.

Baker is also an underrated interior pass-rusher, one who can split gaps and crush the inside of the pocket. He’s recorded 9.5 sacks in the last two seasons, including six in 2015.

Pairing Baker with Harrison would give Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo a tandem as imposing as when big Fred Robbins and burly Barry Cofield helped the team win the Super Bowl in 2007.

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