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New York Giants free agency 2019: Top 5 targets

By Allison Cary

New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur is seen on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Friday, August 17, 2018. (Photo by Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur is seen on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Friday, August 17, 2018. (Photo by Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
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The New York Giants are coming off another unsuccessful season in 2018. Where should they be focused on making changes in 2019?

It’s hard to believe that the 2018 season was an improvement for the New York Giants, but it was. In 2019, they will be coming off of back-to-back losing seasons. Both times they finished in fourth place in the NFC East, with a 3-13 record in 2017 and a 5-11 record in 2018. So, what do the Giants need to do to break the pattern and make sure this doesn’t happen again in 2019?

Many will point to Eli Manning as the main source of the Giants woes, but that is oversimplifying a complicated problem. Quarterback is an area where New York needs to explore their long term options, but most people foresee them doing that in the draft rather than free agency. In free agency, the Giants should focus on the defense, particularly the pass rush, and their offensive line. Here are the players they should focus on when the market opens.

5. Grady Jarrett, DT

Jarrett is one of the best players available in free agency in 2019, assuming he decides to leave Atlanta. He is one of the best pass-rushing defensive tackles in the league, with six sacks and three forced fumbles in 2018. He can also defend well again the run, which gives him an added versatile that will benefit a New York defense that struggled all-around in 2018. And he’ll be entering free agency in his prime at just 26 years old.

Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff has said that signing Jarrett to a deal is a priority for the club. But they also wanted to sign an extension with him in the summer of 2018 and a deal could not be reached. Some have suggested that Jarrett might not court the highest price in the open market, which might make a deal with Atlanta more likely.

But if Jarrett is still available in March, he should be one of the top targets for the Giants. Improving the pass rush should be one of the top priorities for the Giants in 2019, and with Jarrett they might be able to get a fantastic player at a decent price.

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