The New York Giants are going to look different on both sides of the ball in 2024. There was a lot of overturn with their roster this offseason, with some long-time contributors moving on.
Running back Saquon Barkley was the biggest loss on offense. The hub of the team’s offensive attack over the last six seasons, he is a safety blanket the team will be hard-pressed to replace.
Defensively, the team’s biggest loss was safety Xavier McKinney. The Green Bay Packers made him one of the highest-paid defensive backs in the NFL, a raise he earned with stellar play in 2023.
Veteran cornerback Adroee’ Jackson remains a free agent as well. That leaves the New York Giants without two of their key contributors, and most experienced players, from their secondary last season.
The team is high on 2023 first-round pick Deonte Banks, but depth and experience behind him are lacking. Because of that, Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report has urged the New York Giants dip in free agency for some help.
He has suggested that the team look to sign veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson. The eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro spent the 2023 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers and showed he can still be a dependable player.
“Peterson’s special-teams experience could also benefit the Giants, given the league’s revised kickoff rules for 2024. While he hasn’t been a returner since 2018 and has far more experience returning punts than kickoffs, Peterson could give New York another option in the return game.
While Peterson isn’t the only quality corner available—Xavien Howard and Stephon Gilmore headline the remaining market—he’s arguably the best option that might still fit within New York’s price range,” Knox wrote.
He has projected that the New York Giants could sign Peterson to a one-year, $5 million deal. That is a slight pay cut from the $7 million he made with the Steelers last season, but more than five times the veteran’s minimum.
As noted by Knox, Peterson could help the team in several roles. He would be a nice veteran for Banks and the young secondary players to learn from.
In addition to his work at cornerback, Peterson also logged plenty of snaps at safety with Pittsburgh. The depth of the New York Giants is shaky there as well, as bringing Peterson on could kill two birds with one stone.
Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
