25) How would you sum up the Giants’ offseason?
John Schmeelk: Successful. When the Giants’ offseason started, there were a few objectives that had to be met. The first, and most important, was to figure out the quarterback position. The Giants tried a bunch of different routes to get the best possible players in the room, and wound up in a spot where they will have no shortage of quarterbacks to choose from. They acquired two veterans that have shown they can compete every week in the league. Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston raise the floor of the position, while the addition of Jaxson Dart gives an intriguing, future option that Brian Daboll can go to when he is ready.
The second biggest area of upgrade for the Giants was defensive back, where it was essential they added veterans to compliment the young players in the room. It would have been hard to find two better stabilizers than Jevón Holland and Paulson Adebo, who should allow Shane Bowen to open up his defense and use more disguise in the secondary.
The Giants also needed to improve their run defense, and the additions of Roy Robertson-Harris, Jeremiah Ledbetter, Darius Alexander and Chauncey Gholston should go a long way towards doing that. The Giants had the third pick in the draft and wound up with one of the most talented players in the class in Abdul Carter, which should solidify the Giants’ front (and pass rush) as one of the best in football.
It doesn’t mean that there weren’t areas that were not addressed as aggressively. The Giants returned many of their offensive linemen from last year, in addition to adding veteran help at tackle with James Hudson and Stone Forsythe. They also drafted Marcus Mbow in the fifth round as an intriguing rookie, but there was no major splash at the position. They added veteran depth at wide receiver in Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Zach Pascal, but did not draft anyone at the spot. The addition of five undrafted free agent wide receivers that have shined in the spring should give them a chance to find a diamond in the rough to develop at the position.