The NY Giants have had some major swings and misses in free agency, but GM Dave Gettleman has struck gold with recent signings, including one that stands above the rest
For all of Dave Gettleman‘s early missteps in free agency — and there were aplenty in 2018 — and debatable miscalculations through four NFL Drafts, the NY Giants’ general manager has had his share of free agency hits, as well.
Particularly in Gettleman’s first offseason working in collaboration with head coach Joe Judge, which netted the NY Giants inside linebacker, and respected locker room leader, Blake Martinez, stalwart veteran safety Logan Ryan, and kicker Graham Gano who had a bit of a career renaissance in 2020, the caliber of talent on New York’s roster rose in 2020.
But, at least to date prior to Kenny Golladay, Adoree’ Jackson, and Kyle Rudolph donning a Giants uniform for the first time, Gettleman’s best free agent signing isn’t really up for debate.
It’s cornerback James Bradberry.
Here’s why Pro Football Focus agrees, and lists Bradberry as the best contract on the NY Giants’ roster:
General manager Dave Gettleman hit a much-needed home run last offseason by bringing Bradberry to the Big Apple after trading up for DeAndre Baker and releasing him shortly thereafter. Gettleman played a role in drafting Bradberry with the Carolina Panthers when he was the general manager, and he knew Bradberry still had a lot of high-level play in him.
Bradberry earned the fifth-best PFF grade among all cornerbacks in 2020 with an 83.9 mark, and he led the NFL with 17 forced incompletions. His 21.8% forced incompletion rate was third-best among all cornerbacks with at least 10 targets.
Bradberry made the Pro Bowl in his first season in an NY Giants uniform, and provided much-needed stability to a young secondary.
It’s easy to see why, after intercepting three passes, producing 54 total tackles and breaking up a career-high 18 passes Bradberry gives so much reason for optimism that the NY Giants’ defense continues to improve in 2021.
However, it’s impossible to glance over Gettleman’s misses in free agency; guard Patrick Omameh, running back Jonathan Stewart, and wide receiver Golden Tate add up to approximately $58.9 million in sunk costs on disappointing players whose impact never matched their contracts.
But, with Bradberry, Martinez, and now Adoree’ Jackson as the centerpieces of a rebuilt defense, Gettleman earns a bit of redemption with the contracts the NY Giants’ have given out in recent offseasons.
The real litmus test bot for the NY Giants and for Gettleman’s future, is if the wins begin to follow suit this season.
Matt Lombardo is FanSided’s National NFL Insider and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday. Email Matt: Matt.Lombardo@FanSided.com, Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL
NY Giants’ best free agent signing under Dave Gettleman isn’t debatable - GMEN HQ
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