Free Agency does not officially begin until March 11, but several teams are getting an early start on recruiting major position needs. The New York Giants have several needs to fill especially in the receiving area of the roster. With players like Hakeem Nicks expected to leave, Jermichael Finley could be the team's top target.
Safety Antrel Rolle plans on doing all he can to get Finley to join the Giants in 2014. The tight end has spent the last few seasons in Green Bay, but the Giants just hired their offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo which could play a major role in where Finley chooses to continue his career.
In an interview with ProFootballTalk Live, Rolle said Finley is interested in joining the Giants, depending on how things play out with Green Bay in the coming weeks. While Rolle might be confident in Finley heading to New York, the tight end's agent believes his client will remain a Packer for life.
"Right now he is a Packer and I know he would love to play his entire career there,'' Finley's agent, Blake Baratz, said in an email to The New York Post. "For the next five weeks or so they have his exclusive negotiation rights. If it doesn't work out in Green Bay for whatever reason then I believe there are a number of teams that could use a talent like Jermichael.''
McAdoo was credited for playing a major role in developing Finley into the player his is today. The Giants certainly have a need for Finley. Injuries made Brandon Myers a disappointment in 2013. He is a free agent this offseason and is not expected to return. There is very little talent behind him.
Finley's future could come down to his health. While only 26, a neck injury derailed his 2013 season and could hurt his future worth. Finley played six games before suffering a severe neck injury that cause him to undergo spinal fusion surgery. His agent stresses that Finley is fine and is expected to return at full form next season.
"Jermichael is doing great, is working out, running routes, catching balls, and feels no different than he did pre-injury,'' Baratz said. "His fusion has to fully heal before he is 100 percent ready for contact, but we are all anticipating that occurring in the coming weeks. Jermichael is a rare breed that creates a mismatch for defenses. Whenever you have a player that can do that he is a valuable asset.''
While Finley wants to remain with Green Bay for his entire career, the tight end will not hesitate the best contract given to him. With Rolle already starting the heavy recruiting, the Giants could have the edge.