The Giants didn't steal that victory yesterday, Daniel and Co. beat the Vikings and won that game yesterday. Man is football fun again or what?! Since I am in a giddy mood, you all get another one of my annoying mock offseasons. You're welcome lol.

5th year option:

Andrew Thomas- 14.75 million in 2024

Easiest decision all offseason, we are picking up Andrew Thomas 5th year option. Let the negotiations with his agent for the richest LT contract begin. As a fan and obviously if you are in the Giants front office you always hope for the hometown discount, but Thomas is in the discussions for best LT, not just young LT, in the game right now and the contract will match that. Something like 6 years- 150 million, 75 Million Guaranteed.

Cut:

WR Kenny Golladay

Man if that TD against the Eagles wasn’t what he was supposed to do for NY this whole time. Blame the man or blame the coaches, doesn’t really matter. Just hasn’t worked and that one catch and some gritty blocking won’t save him.

CAP- 65 million

Restructure:

DE/DT Leonard Williams

You all wanted it; you sort of get it. No extension, but Williams isn't cut. From the "worst" trade in Giants history to a guy many are hoping a deal gets worked out this offseason instead of the dreaded cut designation as a cap casualty. Big cat is a good player, and if willing to talk a deal to remain in NY with Wink, Sexy Dexy and the fellas, I'd be game too. He just hasn't shown much "hometown" friendliness in negotiations before, so I don't expect it to change now. Especially after his first playoff game tape is of him in the Vikings backfield all game. Sexy Dexy had the better day, but Big Cat was an animal on Sunday too. Williams understands that the NFL is a business, and he's on the back 9 of his money-making days. So, unless it's worth it for him there will be no new deal; but Big Cat allows the Giants to move 10 million in cap to next year's void year added by last off-season’s restructure. Schoen does not like dead money, but even when you're the actual GM you don't always get what you want. Negotiations for an extension fall flat so a compromise of moving money to next year is made to keep Williams in NY for at least another season.

CAP- 75 million

ERFA:

Isaiah Hodgins, Lawrence Cager, Jack Anderson, Wyatt Davis all picked up, but the last three are going to have to earn their spots on the back end of the 53. All are liked though so at the very least if not claimed elsewhere they will be practice squad players. Hodgins is secure, so too is Cager (likely).

CAP- 70 million

Franchise Tag:

RB Saquon Barkley- 1 year/ 10.25 million

The first real controversy of Schoen career as Giants GM takes place this offseason when he and Barkley’s agent cannot come to a number before the tampering window starts and Schoen subsequently tags Barkley and tables talks with the agent. Barkley holds out a portion of camp before signing his tender and joining the team because Barkley is Barkley, and he will want to be with the team even if the agent wants the leverage. Kind of like TJ Watt situation only Barkley isn't signing a long-term deal but rather just his franchise tender. Spends the year on the cap, but once Barkley comes back Joe calls his agent and starts talking long term deal again; does not happen till next offseason but after the holdout stops, the talks start up again.

CAP- 59.75 million, this is where things are going to start to get kind of wonky. If everything I have done takes place the Giants will have 51 men on the roster for next season (they will have long since reached the minimum 51 with futures contracts for young vets given out after the playoffs). Once they reach 51, the first 51 rule now comes into effect for CAP purposes. Now, come week 1 of the regular season all 53 active players, practice squad, IR and PUP players make up your cap. However, from the start of league year in March till end of August essentially, only the top 51 make up your CAP. Why this comes into play is because technically any player re-signed is not counting the full number until week 1. That’s because by signing a player, you drop the lowest contract off the CAP. It’s a goofy quirk, but one that gets in the way of CAP math from this point until final roster for GM’s and their assistants.

Re-sign:

QB Daniel Jones- 3 year/125 million (65 million guaranteed) [20, 50, 55]

I still think the 4 year/166 million dollar deal from my last offseason is the one that is coming, but switched it up for this offseason to something different. To me, the idea that a long-term deal for Daniel was ever under 33 million per year was laughable. The moment Schoen declined the option he set the Giants down a path that lead to a 3-way fork in the road. Either Daniel and the Giants would be terrible this year and the team and player would go their separate ways. OR The team and Daniel would be average, show glimmers and the franchise tag/1 year deal just north of what Carson Wentz makes to avoid the actual tag was coming. OR Daniel and the team would play well and defy expectations which now makes Daniels agent start at Josh Allen's numbers for contracts. Whether we think he's Josh Allen or not, he's the next young QB whose name is hot, that's going to be his team's starting point. 44/45 million if not more thanks to Russ and Aaron. They'll want to come in just ahead of Allen but will likely settle for being the highest paid QB in the NFC East which is Dak at 40 million. I don't see Daniel signing a deal that pays him less than 40.25 million per year average this offseason. If the Giants don't get to that number Daniel and his agent will take the tag. The deal I have the two sides signing this mock offseason is just shy of 42 per year. Dak is 40, Josh Allen is 43. Danny Dimes will likely be somewhere in between those two numbers.

The key for the Giants is the ability to get out of year 3. Daniel is getting the next two season in NY, no doubt in my mind. Should he and the team regress in 2024 and 2025 though the Giants can get out of Daniel's deal with little money guaranteed in 2025 (50 of the 55 is not guaranteed that last year). Should he play well in 2024, the Giants will likely shift money from 2025 into 2026 to lower the 50 CAP hit next year, before resigning him the following offseason and reworking cap numbers at that point.

S Julian Love- 3 years/33 million (15 million guaranteed) [12, 12, 9]

Instead of backloading this deal, I figured I'd show the fan board I know how to front load deals too lol. Front-loading the deal allows the Giants to get most of the guarantees out the way the first year since obviously he will be on the team. In 2024, 2025 he can be cut and save against the cap. I wouldn't sign him to this much, but he's the green dot player to a winning playoff defense. He's likely about to get paid this offseason. I wouldn't go higher than 8 million per year but expect his market to now explode. If he can manage a pick against Hurts and the Eagles, he might be gone to a 13-15 per year deal.

C Joe Feliciano- 2 year/16 million (8 million guaranteed) [4, 12]

Really a 1-year deal split out over 2 years. If Feliciano remains the starter and playing well he might not be cut next offseason. However, deal is made with both sides knowing the second year is for accounting purposes really, and that if the team wants Feliciano back in 2024 it will need to be on a new deal.

WR Richie James- 2 year/10 million (5 million guaranteed) [3,7]

Another deal where the second year is basically a non-guaranteed 5 million that should Richie continue to play well in 2024 the Giants will gladly pay in 2025. Otherwise, three million of this year’s 5 million count against 2024 while the other two million will be dead money in 2025.

LG Nick Gates- 1 year/1 million (vet min)

Only works if nobody comes calling for him. Has played well since coming back from the gruesome leg injury and may be in line for a multi-year deal at a few million bucks per year. Also, could be heading towards another 1 year, vet minimum prove you can play a full year of ball season. If the latter, he will be a Giant.

DE/OLB Jihad Ward- 1 year/1.25 million (vet min)

Wink and Dabs seem to love them some Haddy. He provides a good vet leader in the OLB room for Azeez and Kayvon and is trusted by Wink on Sunday’s so I expect Ward to be back next year.

LS Casey Kreiter- 1 year/1.25 million (vet min)

Man hasn’t seemed to have a bad snap as a Giant yet. I miss hearing DeOssie screaming, but Casey has allowed the Giants to seamlessly transition away from Zak post retirement. He wants to continue to be the long snapper he will be.

WR Darius Slayton- 1 year/1 million

If his drops have cost him a chance at building a little market, I would take him back on the 1 year prove it deal depending on price.

CAP- 23.25 million. Using CAP math formula pretty sure that evens out.

Extension:

NT Dexter Lawrence- 6 years/126 million (66 million guaranteed) [6, 19, 22, 26, 26, 27]

Sexy Dexy is likely heading to a big payday this offseason so that the Giants can get that 12 million cap hit down some for this offseason because he is 1000% in their long-term plans. He’s more secure than Barkley. Currently leads the teams in sacks and Wink has called him the key to his defense. Has sat Quenton Nelson and Garrett Bradbury on their behinds in consecutive games. He did it multiple times to poor Garrett in the playoff game. Deal went from 19 per to 21 per thanks to it, if not more. Just back the Brinks truck up. Another big game against the Eagles and he may want the biggest DT contract ever written. Sexy Dexy for President (just not until is playing career is over with!). I swear to the football gods if the Giants lose another DT to the Vikings because they refuse to pay him, I’m going to cry…

CAP- 29.25 million, cutting cap is not affected by cap math the same way adding cap is.

UFA:

LB Lavonte David (Tampa Bay) - 2 years/ 22 million (10 million guaranteed) [7, 15]

David is now a grandpa by linebacker room standards at 32, but he still is a tackling machine. Can play off ball linebacker in certain sets or line up next to McFadden/Beavers in the traditional 3-4 fronts.

WR DJ Chark (Detroit)- 2 years/4 million (1 million guaranteed) [1, 3]

Chark has had one good season and a bunch of flashes in his half a decade career so far, but nothing that's going to warrant some ridiculous contract to bring him in. Don't want him being your #1 but bring him and allow him to compete for snaps.

DT/DE Matt Ioannidis (Panthers)- 1 year/5 million

Truly feel that Ioannidis is a severely underrated defensive lineman. I'd lock him up with a long-term deal if I was Joe, but he is likely heading for 1 year prove it type deal.

P JK Scott (Chargers)- 3 years/12 million (4 million guaranteed) [2, 4, 6]

Not sure who the Chargers will go with since Cameron Dicker can also punt. Now, he was kicking in place of injured Dustin Hopkins not punting for the Chargers last year. However, with Hopkins expected to be back next season, and Scott a UFA whereas Dicker is a ERFA, a cheap team like the Chargers might let Scott test FA and pencil Dicker in at P. They do that and I am bringing Scott into the fold.

CAP- 18 million

2022 NFL Draft:

24th. LB Jack Campbell, Iowa

This could possibly cause a ripple in the fan base given that Lavonte David was signed earlier this offseason, but likely not given that Campbell seems to be a beloved prospect. McFadden and Beavers are not going to prevent the Giants from looking at young LB in the 2023 draft. The Bills have Milano and Edmunds, so Schoen has been part of an organization to invest in LB. So, I don't think he'd hesitate to double dip with an aging UFA and young rookie. Between poor run defense and covering of TE's obvious upgrades at LB are needed if you're the GM.

Campbell and David could take this defense to elite top 5 status as they would both be elite tackling machines in the run game and can take away the center of the field in the passing game, plus both are plus pass rushers that Wink can utilize in his many blitz packages.

54th. WR Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee

Hyatt formed a scary duo with Hooker this year for the Vols. Hyatt nearly single handedly beat Bama this year. 206 yards and 5 TD's?! Hyatt reminds me a lot of a Vince Fuller, only I expect him to remain healthier in the pros than Vince has. I think he is a little more than the one dimensional over the top guy like "I only run go routes" MeSean Jackson was, but he's coming in to stretch opposing teams defenses vertically, no doubt about that.

86th. CB Garrett Williams, Syracuse

Syracuse has actually had a decent amount of DB talent come through the Dome under Coach Babers. Williams is just the next in that line. Has size, speed and good tape on record while playing for the Orange, but he's still an Orange player. So, he likely will have to wait to hear his name called. Schoen and Co. gladly make him stop waiting. Should make a push to be the teams #2 early in his career.

97th. (From KC). DT/DE Dante Stills, West Virginia

Stills has shown the ability to push the pocket from the 3-4DE position for the Mountaineers. Isn't going to be mistaken for JJ, but I think he can have a career like Ioannidis. Just quietly go about being a positive player who plays a ton for whoever they're playing for, and just makes a few plays a game for your defense.

4th. OT Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse

For the second time in 3 picks Schoen stays local and goes to the honey hole that is Syracuse . Bergeron has been a starter for the Orange who should push to be the teams main back up swing tackle as a rookie. Although playing OT as a rookie is not an easy ask. Just ask Thomas and Neal. Bergeron has played both right and left tackle at Syracuse. Should Neal continue to struggle the hope would be to kick him inside while having Bergeron take over at RT.

5th. TE Cameron Latu, Alabama

Dabes is able to use his insider relationships at Bama to get a better read on Latu, and if those messages matches what I see on tape the Giants will have gotten another TE steal. Bellinger and Latu should be mismatch nightmares for opposing defenses. Cameron isn't the wow you with his insane athleticism type TE: but he is big, strong, fast and just knows how to get open, and catches it when he does. Latu should go second round, but it seems like he is a forgotten man in the scouting community.

6th. (From KC) RB Eric Gray, Oklahoma

In the 90's, Eric Gray likely goes round 2 because he's been a productive runner in college. Never had insane production, but he's been a good runner for the Sooners for his entire career with the stats and tape to warrant drafting him. Those used to be sought after prospects. Now he has a better shot of going undrafted than he does of going day 2. Likely won’t last until UDFA time as some team who knows they won’t be able to sign him will draft him late. Schoen should think about the Giants being said team.

6th. (Compensatory) CB Darius Rush, South Carolina

Everybody knows Cam Smith, but Rush quietly put together back-to-back seasons opposite Cam. So, you know he has been getting plenty of action his way. Hasn’t been shut down by any means but has shown enough to warrant giving him a chance this late. Is big and fast and could end up being the steal of the draft because he presents Wink with exactly what he wants out of a CB.

7th. (From Ravens) S Trey Dean III, Florida

Young man has the size and athleticism to be at the very least a ST guy, but if Wink and Co. can coach him up, he is a perfect safety for Wink. Wink would love sending Dean on many of his exotic blitzes given his size and speed. Could play the S/LB hybrid role that Landon Collins and Tony Jefferson seem to be platooning at.

7th. WR Jadon Haselwood, Arkansas

Been decent at both Oklahoma and again last year at Arkansas with KJ Jefferson. If he last this long, there's enough on tape to combine with size to think you can develop him. Likely wouldn't ever happen, but hey you don't draft somebody hoping they suck and make it easier for you to cut them.

Roster:

QB: Daniel Jones, Tyrod Taylor

RB: Saquon Barkley, Gary Brightwell, Eric Gray

WR: Isaiah Hodgins, DJ Chark, Jalin Hyatt, Richie James, Darius Slayton, Jadon Haselwood

TE: Daniel Bellinger, Cameron Latu, Lawrence Cager

OT: Andrew Thomas, Evan Neal, Matthew Bergeron

OG: Mark Glowinski, Nick Gates, Josh Ezeudu, Markus McKethan

OC: Joe Feliciano, Ben Bredeson

NT: Dexter Lawrence, DJ Davidson

DE: Leonard Williams, Matt Ioannidis, Ryder Anderson, Dante Stills

OLB: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari, Tomon Fox, Jihad Ward, Elerson Smith

ILB: Lavonte David, Jack Cambell, Darrin Beavers, Micah McFadden, Cam Brown

CB: Adoree Jackson, Cor'Dale Flott, Darnay Holmes, Nick McCloud, Garrett Williams, Darius Rush

S: Xavier McKinney, Julian Love, Jason Pinnock, Dane Belton, Trey Dean III

K Graham Gano

P JK Scott

LS Casey Kreiter

PUP:

WR Wan'Dale Robinson