The New York Giants have some tough decisions ahead of the 2024 league year that begins on March 13, which is also the start of the free agency period. They have 22 pending unrestricted free agents, with 26 total players set to hit the market, players with whom they can negotiate new deals now if they so choose. Two players are at the top of that list: running back Saquon Barkley and safety Xavier McKinney. Both were voted captains the last two seasons and are very talented players on the roster. Yet, for as important of a role as both played last year, there is little assurance that both will be back in 2024. The Giants, with limited cap space and a lot of needs, might just have to pick one over the other in terms of whom they aggressively seek to retain. With that being said, which one of those players would hurt the Giants more from losing? Let’s hash it out.
SAQUON BARKLEY When Barkley was selected as the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, he was hailed by then-Giants general manager Dave Gettleman as a “gold jacket” (Hall of Fame) candidate “touched by the hand of God.” Unfortunately, through no fault of his own, Barkley has proven to be a mere mortal. He’s appeared in a full season only twice in his six-year career, otherwise losing time to injuries, including an ACL injury in 2020, which, despite insistence to the contrary, has robbed him of that burst he had before the injury. And when he’s been on the field, the Giants have a 25-48-1 record. Still, the Giants and Barkley want to make it so that he finishes his career as a Giant, but both sides seem to differ on the value of a contract that will make that possible. Barkley, who was franchise-tagged last offseason, wasn’t particularly happy with his negotiation process. He’s going into this offseason with possibly the same dilemma: either get franchise-tagged again, test the open market, and allow the Giants to match the best offer, or simply go to another team. Parting with Barkley has pros and cons, but can the Giants live without him?
XAVIER MCKINNEY Coming off of a career-best year in 2023, McKinney projects to be high on the Giants’ priority list. To add another wrinkle into this argument, McKinney was one of two players to appear in 100% of defensive snaps in 2023, along with teammate Bobby Okereke. It was always nice to see McKinney on the field, especially after he missed eight games in 2022 due to an ATV accident suffered during the bye week and nearly half of his rookie season due to a broken leg. McKinney’s coverage stats were also solid this past year. He allowed a 63.1% completion rate and a 69.8 quarterback rating when targeted, both the second-best of his career. He also only allowed one touchdown and just seven yards per attempt. His three interceptions were his highest since the 2021 season when he grabbed five. Spotrachas McKinney’s value set at $10.4 million per year. The Giants could also place the franchise tag on him, but it’d be a better option to lock up a young, rising player at the position. Also, with new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen coming in, McKinney’s versatility would make him a far better value to invest in.
