The Giants should be careful when signing on the open NFL free agent market this year, given their salary cap restrictions. However, they need to add players, especially to the offensive line. They took a step — perhaps the biggest step they’ll take this cycle — by negotiating terms on Monday with defenseman Mark Glowinski.
The deal is for three years and $20 million with $11.4 million in guaranteed cash.
A little later on Monday night, the Giants added another lineman, signing John Feliciano to a one-year contract. Feliciano, released by the Bills last week, will be reunited with Brian Daball, the Giants’ new head coach, and Bobby Johnson, the Giants’ new offensive line coach, after three years at Buffalo.
These are mid-level signings, but they’re the best the Giants can muster, adding two solid starting players to a roster that’s almost devoid of the proven qualities of an attacking line.
Mark Glowinski has signed a three-year contract with the Giants. Getty Images
Glowinski started the last three years for the Colts at right-back, never missing a game, and he expects to start in that position for the Giants. Last season right guard Will Hernandez is an unrestricted free agent, and the Giants’ 2018 second-round pick will look elsewhere.
Glowinski turns 30 in May. He is considered a much stronger run blocker than a pass defender. In 2021, he allowed two sacks, eight quarterback hits and 38 total pressures to rank 21st among defensemen in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. Hernandez finished in 60th place. Feliciano – 59th.
An eight-year veteran, Glovinski was selected in the fourth round of the 2015 draft by the Seahawks of West Virginia. After three years of ups and downs in Seattle, Glowinsky was abandoned and picked up by the Colts. In 2019, he signed a three-year, $18 million contract.
Feliciano, 30, has been signed to center as Nick Gates is not expected to be ready to return after several leg surgeries. Feliciano was a starting left and right back for the Bills and has snap experience. In 2019 he played 104 center snaps and in 2020 he played 203 center snaps. He grew up in East Meadow on Long Island.
Along with Andrew Thomas in the left tackle, the Giants now have three starters. It is possible that Shane Lemieux, due to a knee injury that only saw him play one game in 2021, will move to the left-back position. However, there is still a lot of work to be done.
John Feliciano Getty Images
Monday’s maneuvers with the free agents of the first-round picks ahead of the Giants could increase the likelihood of them getting one of their major offensive tackles on the night of April 28.
After the Indianapolis scouting rally, the consensus was that Evan Neal (Alabama) and Iki Ekwonu (North Carolina State) were the top prospects on the offensive line and that both could be taken before the Giants moved to fifth. things developed early in free agency make this less likely, which is good news for the giants.
The Jaguars are in first place overall, and on Monday they signed Pro Bowl quarterback Brandon Scherff, which could do two things for the Giants. This removes a key player from Washington, the NFL East’s rivalry, and reduces the need for the Jaguars to pick a first-pick offensive lineman. The Jaguars also placed a franchise label on forward Cam Robinson. This could open the door for the Jaguars to take on Aidan Hutchinson, who is expected to be the first choice rusher.
Mark Glowinski didn’t miss a start in his three seasons with the Colts. AP
The Jets took care of the offensive line by signing defenseman Laken Tomlinson, refuting the idea that they would take offense at No. 4 and move him inside as a fullback for the year, with George Funt and Mekhi Beckton set to start. in 2022. The Jets will likely go elsewhere with their first round pick.
The Lions have the second choice. They took on Penea Sewell, finishing seventh overall in 2021. Will they double down and take another selection this year?
The Texans are in third place and can go either way.
Free will, when used correctly, fills in the gaps, allowing teams to have more flexibility when drafting. The Jaguars and Jets now have this flexibility, and it should improve the Giants’ chances of getting Neal or Ekwona. Unless, of course, they like Charles Cross of Mississippi better than one or both of them. There is no doubt that one of the three tackles will be number 5 there.