The Pressure Mounts for the Giants in 2025
The New York Giants are set to enter the 2025 season with head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, both of whom are entering their fourth seasons with the franchise. Despite this continuity, the team’s performance has not met expectations. The roster, while not abysmal, is far from competitive, and the Giants’ owner, John Mara, has made it clear that significant improvement is necessary. His patience, evident during the postseason press conference, is wearing thin. This ultimatum puts immense pressure on Schoen and Daboll to deliver results. The stakes are high, and an aggressive offseason is on the horizon, starting with free agency. Here are five players the Giants could target to jumpstart their rebuild.
Tee Higgins: A Dynamic Wide Receiver
The Giants have a promising wide receiver in Malik Nabers, who is currently on a rookie contract. They are also expected to draft a rookie quarterback, giving them the financial flexibility to spend more aggressively elsewhere. Tee Higgins, the top free-agent wide receiver, is an attractive target. Although there are some concerns about his durability—he has played a full 16-game season only twice (2020 and 2022)—Higgins is undeniably a dynamic player. In just 12 games for the Bengals last season, he logged 73 catches for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Giants need to surround their quarterback with as much talent as possible, and adding Higgins alongside Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson would give the franchise its best crop of pass catchers since the days of Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, and Victor Cruz.
D.J. Reed: A Reliable Cornerback
D.J. Reed is among the more underrated cornerbacks in the NFL. During his three years with the Jets, he emerged as a legitimate outside corner with shutdown capabilities. His leadership is also a significant asset; he played a crucial role in acclimating All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner to the league. Reed’s recent ProFootballFocus grades of 72.5, 77.9, and 70.7 over the past three seasons speak to his consistent performance. For the Giants, Reed would be invaluable in their efforts to salvage Deonate Banks’ career. His experience and leadership could provide the stability and mentorship needed to turn Banks into a reliable starter.
Stefon Diggs: A Familiar Face
Stefon Diggs has a long-standing relationship with Brian Daboll, dating back to their overlapping years with the Buffalo Bills. During their time together, Diggs posted 100-plus catches in three of their four seasons, and in his career year of 2020, he caught 127 passes for 1,535 yards and eight touchdowns. However, Diggs, coming off a season-ending knee injury, is not the player he once was. His age and durability concerns will likely drive his price down and scare off some teams. For the Giants, Diggs represents a solid consolation prize if they can’t land Higgins. His experience and familiarity with Daboll’s system could provide a valuable short-term boost to the receiver corps.
Russell Wilson: A Potential Short-Term Fix
The Giants had Russell Wilson in for a visit last offseason before he ultimately signed with the Steelers, a move that offered him a better opportunity to start. There have been numerous rumors linking Wilson to New York over the years, partly due to his celebrity wife, Ciara’s, love for the area. This could be the year those rumors come to fruition, especially if the Steelers let him walk. Wilson could give the Giants a short-term fix at quarterback while they develop a rookie QB drafted in the first or second round. His experience and leadership could be invaluable during this transitional period.
Will Fries: Reinforcing the Offensive Line
The Giants’ offensive line, while better than in previous years, has significant concerns heading into the 2025 season. All-world left tackle Andrew Thomas has spent the last two seasons on injured reserve, and Jon Runyan, the team’s big-ticket free agent from last year, had his second-worst season by ProFootballFocus standards (56.1 grade). Greg Van Roten is aging (34) and an unrestricted free agent, and second-year center John Michael Schmitz, though improved, still finished with an unsatisfactory 51.4 ProFootballFocus grade. Jermaine Eluemunor, while serviceable, posted a 63.2 grade, far from dominant. Will Fries, with his impressive upside and lower cost compared to some other top-end interior linemen, is an attractive option. He had an 86.8 ProFootballFocus grade last season with the Colts before fracturing his tibia in Week 5. Fries offers the Giants a chance to reinforce their offensive line without breaking the bank.
A Path Forward for the Giants
The Giants face a critical juncture in their rebuild. The pressure is on Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen to deliver results, and an aggressive approach in free agency is essential. By targeting players like Tee Higgins, D.J. Reed, Stefon Diggs, Russell Wilson, and Will Fries, the Giants can significantly bolster their roster. These moves could provide the immediate talent and experience needed to compete while also setting a foundation for long-term success. The ownership’s patience is running thin, and the coming offseason will be pivotal in determining the future of the franchise.
