The NY Giants could consider using the franchise tag on free agent Jason Pierre-Paul this offseason and Jerry Reese also may look at giving Eli Manning a contract extension, while Shane Vereen, Jordan Cameron, BJ Raji, CJ Spiller and Mark Ingram are potential targets in free agency with Tom Coughlin coming back in 2015.
The Giants went 6-10 last season and missed the playoffs for the third straight year, but ownership opted to retain Tom Coughlin as head coach. The one major change heading into 2015 will be at defensive coordinator, as the team let go of Perry Fewell and brought back Steve Spagnuolo. Pierre-Paul is the biggest free agent for the Giants and other players hitting the market include Antrel Rolle, Walter Thurmond, Mike Patterson, Henry Hynoski and Jacquian Williams.
According to ESPN New York, the Giants could consider using the franchise tag on Pierre-Paul if they can't work out a long term deal, as they are interested in keeping the defensive end. JPP is coming off of a strong season after having two disappointing years and he could be in line for big money. Pierre-Paul is just 26 years old and still has potential to develop and he could be targeted by a number of teams if he hits the market. JPP will cost about $15 million if he is tagged, but it would allow the Giants to continue working on a long term deal without worrying about him leaving.
Dan Graziano at ESPN.com took questions about free agents and some names that the Giants could target include Shane Vereen, CJ Spiller, BJ Raji, Jordan Cameron and Byron Maxwell. Last year the Giants signed a number of free agents, including Rashad Jennings, Walter Thurmond and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Jennings was injured for part of the season and that is one reason why they could go after Vereen or Spiller as insurance to work along with Andre Williams, who stepped up in 2014 as a rookie. Graziano also writes that Reese could look at giving Eli Manning a contract extension as he comes into the final year of his deal.
Vereen could be a nice fit for the Giants, as he is a strong pass catching running back and could take the place of David Wilson, who was forced to retire due to injuries. Vereen is just 25 years old and he had over 50 catches last season and added 11 in the Super Bowl, leading the Patriots. Vereen is not as strong of a rushing back, but he could give the Giants a new element on offense.
Pierre-Paul is officially a free agent after his deal voided and according to NJ.com, the Giants are planning to "make an effort" to sign back JPP. ESPN.com reports that contract talks have not started yet between JPP and the Giants, but that is likely to start once the franchise tag window opens this week. Last season Pierre-Paul had 12.5 sacks and that came after he combined for just eight sacks in the previous two seasons while missing five games with injuries. The Giants are hoping that Pierre-Paul is the player from 2014 and 2011 when he had 16.5 sacks moving forward and not the disappointment from 2012-13.