Big Blue View
Stefon Diggs? Nope — let’s try some under-the-radar names
The New York Giants are gearing up for a busy off-season. NFL free agency officially opens on Wednesday, March 12th, but the unofficial “tampering” period begins on Monday, the 10th of March. The Giants have an estimated $43.4 million in total salary cap space for 2025 and $32.1 million in effective cap space based on a projected league cap of $272.5 million.
There are roster holes and critical vulnerabilities that will require attention, but the potential loss of Darius Slayton opens up room for possible depth at wide receiver. I am open to retaining Slayton, but his market value is high; his average annual salary is $15.8 million, and his three-year total value is $47.3 million, according to Spotrac.
The 28-year-old may pursue other options, and the Giants have Jalin Hyatt waiting to earn more snaps as a 23-year-old entering his third season as a professional. Both returners Gunner Olszewski and Ihmir Smith-Marsette are free agents.
Bryce Ford-Wheaton is the only wide receiver on the depth chart outside of Hyatt, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Malik Nabers. Montrell Washington was signed to a futures contract as well. If the Rams release Cooper Kupp, his name will be monitored closely as discussions between the Giants and quarterback Matt Stafford continue to heat up.
Wide receiver is not the Giants’ most significant need, but it’s a need nonetheless. Here are five potential targets who may fit what the Giants do offensively.
The enigmatic Hollins is a 6-foot-4, 225-pound 31-year-old receiver who spent last season with the Buffalo Bills. He’s known as one of the more physical and dominant blocking wide receivers in the NFL. Hollins is coming off a career year where he caught 36 of 56 targets for 482 yards with six touchdowns.
He was a fourth-round pick out of North Carolina for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017. The Giants’ current wide receiver coach, Mike Groh, had that same role with the Eagles in 2017. Groh was promoted to offensive coordinator for the 2018-2019 season. Hollins missed the 2018 season with a groin injury, and he was unexpectedly released in 2019.
The Hollins-Groh connection had an unceremonious ending, possibly affecting Hollins’ desire to play for the Giants. However, there’s still conjecture about the story. After Hollins was released, Groh said, “That part of the game or the business is not fun,” and “I think there are a number of factors when you make a roster decision.” But Groh then followed up with this:
“I think in every season there are tough decisions that have to be made. I think it was a decision in terms of what’s in the best interest of the Philadelphia Eagles that can help us win right now. Beyond that, you have to ask Doug and Howie in terms of that stuff.”
Groh also expressed respect for Hollins. I’m unsure how Hollins felt—or still feels—about the situation from more than six years ago. If the...
