The NY Giants may allow Eli Manning to play out the final year of his contract over striking an extension with the quarterback and if that happens, heading into the draft the team could look at targeting players like Brett Hundley, Bryce Petty, Garrett Grayson or Shane Carden, as Ryan Nassib has not yet shown he can be the heir apparent in New York.
According to ESPN New York, the Giants are "comfortable" letting Manning play out the final year of his contract and this comes after the two sides did not come close to an agreement on an extension. The Giants and Manning's representatives have been speaking about a deal this offseason and while they could continue working on a deal, sources reported that the Giants are okay with Manning finishing out his contract before signing a new one.
Manning is coming into the last season of the extension he signed after winning the Super Bowl and since then the team has not made the playoffs. According to ESPN.com, the team could clear over $10 million in cap space if they reach a new agreement with Manning, but the Giants don't see that as a necessary move. The team already signed Shane Vereen, George Selvie, Dwayne Harris and some other players to deals and they likely will not splurge on what is left on the market.
Manning had a bad year in 2013 with 27 interceptions, but he had a strong season in 2014 while passing for 4,410 yards and 30 touchdowns, the second highest totals he has ever put up. Manning also completing 63 percent of his passes, which was the best mark of his career. The team likely will not look high for a QB in this draft, but with names like Brett Hundley, Bryce Petty, Garrett Grayson and Shane Carden coming out, someone could slip into the later rounds and could be a target.
Manning will be making $17 million this season and he will count $19.75 million against the cap for the 2105 campaign. The team could look at using the franchise tag after the season to keep Manning, but it likely will result in a cap number that is over $20 million. Dan Graziano writes that the team may consider signing a deal during the season, but that it is unlikely that happens.
Philip Rivers and Manning are in the same boat, as they both are coming into the last years of their deals and it looks like their teams are going to let them play them out. Ben Roethlisberger also had his contract coming up this year, but the Steelers locked him up with a new extension at five-years and $99 million. All three players were taken in the 2004 NFL draft and now both Manning and Rivers could be headed into free agency come 2016. While the Giants may let Manning play out his deal, it doesn't mean they want to move on from him at all.
The team will have the chance to sign him during the season and they also could wait until after the season, but before free agency officially begins. Manning had a bounce back year in 2014 after having one of his worst seasons in 2013 and the emergence of players like Odell Beckham and Larry Donnell could help as he heads into 2015. Victor Cruz is coming back from an injury and if he remains healthy, Manning could have another strong season this year.