No matter who the New York Giants have starting at quarterback in 2024, general manager Joe Schoen must improve the wide receiver position once and for all.
You could argue that the Giants have not had a true No. 1 WR since trading Odell Beckham Jr. Recently, former 2019 fifth rounder Darius Slayton has finished first in receiving yards most seasons, but the veteran has never even registered a 1,000-yard campaign — topping out at 770 yards through the air in 2023.
Big Blue has attempted to correct this team need both in free agency and the draft, signing Kenny Golladay and selecting Kadarius Toney. Of course, neither of those decisions worked out very well for NYG.
Potential Giants ‘Splash’ Signing Targets 2-Time 1,000-Yard WR
Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. connected to Giants in 2024 free agency.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was suggested as a potential New York Giants target in 2024 free agency.
No matter who the New York Giants have starting at quarterback in 2024, general manager Joe Schoen must improve the wide receiver position once and for all.
You could argue that the Giants have not had a true No. 1 WR since trading Odell Beckham Jr. Recently, former 2019 fifth rounder Darius Slayton has finished first in receiving yards most seasons, but the veteran has never even registered a 1,000-yard campaign — topping out at 770 yards through the air in 2023.
Big Blue has attempted to correct this team need both in free agency and the draft, signing Kenny Golladay and selecting Kadarius Toney. Of course, neither of those decisions worked out very well for NYG.
2024 feels like a good year to try again, and Empire Sports Media writer Anthony Rivardo suggested a “splash” option in free agency on January 18.
“Michael Pittman Jr. is expected to be one of the top wide receivers on the market this offseason,” he began. “The second-round draft pick from 2020 has developed into a premier outside wide receiver through his first four career seasons with the Indianapolis Colts but could be playing for a new team in 2024.”.Another “Jr.” would be fitting, and Pittman has proven to be much less of a headache than Beckham, Golladay and Toney.
Rivardo pointed out that the Colts star has already achieved two 1,000-yard seasons despite a short time in the league, and Pittman just missed out on a third with 925 receiving yards in 2022.
Pittman would give the Giants’ offense the presence of a No. 1 receiver,” the writer concluded. “With career-highs in 2023 with 109 receptions and 1,152 receiving yards, Pittman also added four touchdowns and turned in the best season of his career
Colts Free Agent WR Michael Pittman Jr. Wouldn’t Come Cheap, But Is Worth Every Penny
If the Giants do choose to spend on someone like Pittman, they’d have to allocate the rest of their resources toward other areas of need. For example, it’d make sense to draft a premier offensive lineman — or quarterback — in round one if Schoen goes all-in on WR during free agency.
“Signing Pittman would not be easy,” Rivardo admitted in his article. “His estimated market value projects a $22.7 million average annual salary per Spotrac. This contract would make Pittman one of the 10 highest-paid players in the NFL at his position.”
Having said that, you get what you pay for in the NFL and Pittman is worth every penny.
A true QB-friendly pass-catcher, Pittman has a propensity for getting open no matter who’s throwing the football. In fact, the 26-year-old started his career with Philip Rivers, spent year two with Carson Wentz, year three with a combination of Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger and Nick Foles, and finally ventured on with Anthony Richardson and Gardner Minshew in 2023.
