The NY Giants will allow defensive end Justin Tuck to test free agency after he helped the team win two Super Bowls and heading into the March 11 date, the team could be looking at a number of replacement options, including names like Greg Hardy, Jared Allen, Michael Bennett, Lamarr Houston, Anthony Spencer and Michael Johnson.
Tuck may have a number of suitors and the Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles could be fits, while the Giants may have to break the bank for some of these names if they want to sign them, especially Hardy or Bennett. According to ESPN.com, those names are the top ones on the market and while Tuck may return, GM Jerry Reese has to keep as many possible options on the table as he can, as Jason Pierre-Paul had a down season last year and needs to recover and rookie Damontre Moore is still an unknown quantity.
Tuck was very good last season despite getting past his 30th birthday and he turns 31 this offseason and had 11 sacks last year and had a very strong finish to the season. The Giants could like to bring him back, but at the right price and the team could look to draft someone at the position, but with a number of defensive linemen and ends on the market, that could be an option as well.
Hardy is the best player of the group since he is just 25 years old and he is coming off of a great season with 15 sacks and after the Panthers made the playoffs, he is set to cash in. The Panthers want to keep him and they will have to pay and chances are the team will at least franchise him if a deal doesn't get done. The team could also look to Johnson, as he has been very good for the Bengals and while he had less than four sacks last season, he had 12 the year before and is 27 years old, which would be in line with what Tuck was a few years ago.
Bennett had a great season with the Seahawks and isn't looking to give a discount and the Giants could be an option as long as the money doesn't get out of control. ESPN.com reports he could be looking at the Bears to play with his brother, former Giant Martellus. Jared Allen is hitting the market and while he is old and will be 32 years old, if his price is right, the team could go after him, but why not sign Tuck instead if the money is correct?
The Raiders likely will keep or franchise Houston and he is a very good defensive end against the rushing attack and at the quarterback and he will be interesting to watch. Spencer and DeMarcus Ware could both be gone in Dallas and if that happens, one of them coming to the Giants is a nightmare for Jerry Jones.