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New York Giants free agency 2020: Top 5 targets

By Mike Phillips

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 09: Joe Judge poses with a helmet after he was introduced as the new head coach of the New York Giants during a news conference at MetLife Stadium on January 9, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 09: Joe Judge poses with a helmet after he was introduced as the new head coach of the New York Giants during a news conference at MetLife Stadium on January 9, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – OCTOBER 27, 2019: Middle linebacker Kyle Van Noy #53 of the New England Patriots on the sideline prior to a game against the Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2019 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. New England won 27-13. (Photo by: 2019 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – OCTOBER 27, 2019: Middle linebacker Kyle Van Noy #53 of the New England Patriots on the sideline prior to a game against the Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2019 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. New England won 27-13. (Photo by: 2019 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) /

3. Linebacker Kyle Van Noy

If you have a chance to sit down for a conversation with a Giants’ fan, they will regale you with a tale of their franchise’s long quest for competence at linebacker. The position was largely ignored in drafts by the end of Jerry Reese’s tenure as general manager, forcing his replacement, Dave Gettleman, to try and take a big swing at the problem by trading for Alec Ogletree.

The move didn’t really pan out, and Ogletree is unlikely to be retained as he hits free agency. The Giants’ defense could really use an impact player at the linebacker position, and a very good one is set to hit the market in Kyle Van Noy.

The Patriots struck gold with Van Noy, who they acquired for a sixth-round pick from the Detroit Lions in 2017. Van Noy wasn’t properly utilized in Detroit, but Bill Belichick turned him into one of the most important players on the New England defense.

Three strong seasons in New England bolstered Van Noy’s value, so he should be in line for a huge pay day on the open market. Belichick often resists paying top dollar for players he feels he can replace, so there is a decent chance Van Noy shakes free of the Patriots.

The Giants could have an inside track for Van Noy’s services based on his familiarity with Judge from their years together in New England. Van Noy heaped extensive praise on Judge during a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, so it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see them reunite with the Giants.

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