Free agency is creeping up on the New York Giants, and they have a lot of work to do.
With the addition of former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, it’s clear that he wants to bring in as many of his former players and coaches as possible. Three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum should be the top target among Harbaugh’s former players in New York’s sights.
But with the Giants having some core pieces of their 2025 roster hitting the open market, along with other intriguing free agents, should Linderbaum be the G-Men’s top priority?
Linderbaum a Top Name for Multiple Teams
The star center is clearly a top target for New York, but with his established name and talent, the Giants won’t be the only team willing to pay a high price for him. According to Spotrac, Linderbaum’s market value is nearly $18 million per year.
Despite their 4-13 record, New York has limited cap space, with only about $7 million. However, they can create significant financial flexibility by cutting a handful of players and restructuring some of their larger contracts.
How the Giants can potentially create more than $74 million in cap space, according to Connor Hughes.
Restructure/extending:
💰 Brian Burns
💰 Andrew Thomas
💰 Jevon Holland
Releasing:
👋 Bobby Okereke
👋 Jon Runyan Jr.
👋 James Hudson
👋 Devin Singletary
👋 Graham Gano
— Big Blue Data Room (@bigblue_data) February 11, 2026
With this in mind, taking a big swing on a proven player like Linderbaum would be a great move. He has been the interior anchor of the best rushing team in the league since he entered the NFL.
A boost in New York’s run blocking would be pivotal. Both of the Giants’ tackles are more pass-pro oriented, and even though the interior line improved last season, there is a lot of room for growth, especially from center John Michael Schmitz.
PFF on free agent Tyler Linderbaum:
He “has proven to be one of the NFL’s premier run blockers on the interior, earning above a 78.0 PFF run-blocking grade in each season. Over that span, he’s proven to be elite regardless of scheme.” pic.twitter.com/2hCe7ITRlB
— Big Blue Film Room (@BigBlueFilmRoom) February 4, 2026
A superstar in the middle of the trenches would make the Giants, who averaged the fifth-most rushing yards per game in 2025, in contention for the top spot.
Giants Need to Bring Back Multiple Key Players
Aside from trying to make an offseason splash, New York needs to bring back some of the best players from their 2025 season.
Eluemunor has helped revolutionize the Giants’ offensive line. PFF graded him 20th among tackles in pass protection while only making up 3.29% of the cap.
At 31 years old, the 2017 draft pick should not break the bank. Spotrac places his market value at $8.7 million per year. With the production he brought to New York in his two seasons with the team, it should not be a difficult decision to try to bring him back.
Flott’s breakout 2025 season made him all the more desirable to bring back. In an injury-riddled defensive backfield, he was the one constant bright spot.
He allowed just a 52.5% completion percentage while being targeted, a 73.3 passer rating when being targeted, and 11 pass deflections, all being significant career bests.
Still only 24 years old, taking a bet on a projected $9.5 million annual contract should be well worth it for a New York team that has significantly struggled finding and keeping defensive back talent.
It’s about time we start takling about bringing back Cor’Dale Flott.
The Broncos tried to target him repeatedly and he was just not having it. He allowed only 2 completions on 10 targets, registering 3 passes defended and had a huge TFL.
Only 24, he’s an emerging NFL CB. pic.twitter.com/qDQ4ajTFRt
— The Football Grump (@football_grump) October 21, 2025
Robinson is another Giant who had a career year in 2025; he became the shortest receiver in NFL history to record a 1,000-yard season and was a safety blanket for New York all season.
Although his production was impressive, paying Robinson a projected $17.6 million annually is a steep price.
He is a good run-after-catch threat with an occasional downfield catch, but his short wingspan makes his catch radius one of the smallest in the league. The choice to keep the former Wildcat becomes increasingly difficult when considering the stellar receivers in the 2026 draft and other free agents.
It’s clear he is a viable weapon and a good slot receiver, but his limitations should make the Giants very hesitant to give him a high-end deal.
Who Are the Other Free Agent Options?
Alec Pierce
With 1,003 yards on just 47 catches, it’s safe to say Pierce has a downfield presence. At 6’3″, with exceptional hands and contested catch abilities, he will bring an element to New York that is desperately needed.
Their current top deep threat Darius Slayton doesn’t possess the aggression at the catch point that Pierce has, and if they had him last season, a few of Jaxson Dart‘s electric deep balls may have been completed.
At 25 years old, an $81 million contract would be a worthy investment if some of their other deals go south.
The Houston Texans’ defensive tackle is exactly the player the Giants are looking for. Settle can take up a lot of space in the run game and draw double teams, something New York is desperate for.
There was a clear lack of push next to Dexter Lawrence last season, a critical reason for his down season and the overall poor play of New York’s 31st-ranked run defense.
At a projected $3.7 million per year, it isn’t a flashy move, but it would take a lot of pressure off of Lawrence and add to the depth of the interior.
The combo interior lineman would likely be a replacement for free agent guard Greg Van Roten or Jon Runyan. Rhyan is best at creating running lanes and making seamless switches on stunts.
Switching defenders in general and on stunts was one of the Giants’ biggest problems; now, with Rhyan, he can play both guard positions and offer some stability in the interior at $6.5 million per year.
With the number of problems the New York Giants have and the possibilities of their cap space, anything can happen in this free agency.