Could Giants target new free agent C Justin Britt?

Britt was released by Seattle following rough 2019 season

4/27/2020, 1:25 AM
Oct 3, 2019; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks center Justin Britt (68) interacts with the fans during the second half against the Los Angeles Rams at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Los Angeles 30-29. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports / Steven Bisig
Oct 3, 2019; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks center Justin Britt (68) interacts with the fans during the second half against the Los Angeles Rams at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Los Angeles 30-29. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports / Steven Bisig

With the 2020 NFL Draft over, GM Dave Gettleman has stocked up on offensive linemen, something he wanted to do "once and for all." It was his mission to load up on "Hog Mollies" since he took over as GM, and he finally made it happen. 

However, there is still a big question about that Giants O-Line: who will play center? 

Spencer Pulley and Jon Halapio are currently on the roster, but with Pulley's inexperience and Halapio returning from an Achilles injury, many believed Gettleman would draft a center. But that never came to be, as players like Cesar Ruiz, Lloyd Cushenberry III and Matt Hennessy were gone before they could be picked by the Giants. 

 

The Seahawks, though, might have bailed them out. 

According to The Athletic's Aaron J. Fentress, Seattle has released veteran C Justin Britt to save $8.5 million in cap space. He tore his ACL after playing the first eight games of the 2019 season, and being that he was entering the final year of his contract, the Seahawks decided to save themselves some money for a move down the road. 

Could the Giants snatch him up off the free agent market? 

Britt made the shift to center in 2016, where the Seahawks thought he was a better fit. He started all but two games he played in after making that switch, and QB Russell Wilson clearly trusted him under center. 

Pro Football Focus had his 2019 grade as 62.0 over those first eight games, which isn't what you want to see. However, he had a good track record before last season, and the Giants might want that experience over their current options. 

The only thing to worry about when thinking about bringing in Britt is cap room. At the moment, OverTheCap has the Giants holding on to about $17 million in cap space. But, after drafting the 2020 class, it needs a nice chunk of that to pay them for next season. Also, the Giants need money for in-season moves. 

Due to Britt's injury, New York might be able to get Britt for cheaper than that $8.5 million he was getting this season. A prove-it deal to make sure that his knee is holding up fine following recovery might be plausible.

It's not a necessity, but a solid option hitting the market this late could lead the Giants to pounce. Their only question is at center, and the answer might be found in Britt if they don't have full trust in Pulley or Halapio.

Video: Vacchiano: Giants addressed problem areas in draft

Popular in the Community