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The Giants will have a ton of salary cap space this offseason to continue rebuilding their roster, but probably not many of their own players to spend it on. They are currently holding 15 players scheduled to be unrestricted free agents in March. Most of them aren't worth keeping.
Here's a look at those players, plus the Giants' three restricted free agents, and a few other players who could be - and perhaps should be - offseason salary cap cuts:
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
QB Eli Manning - It's Daniel Jones' ball now, and there's no way Manning would want to return to stand on the sidelines and watch his successor. The Giants probably don't want that either. Most likely, the Giants icon is going to retire. If not, he'll have to find a new home.
DL Leonard Williams - After trading a third- and a fifth-round pick to the Jets to get him, the Giants almost have to re-sign him. He's indicated he wants big money, though, and it's hard to justify that. He is definitely a candidate for the franchise tag, which for a defensive tackle will probably cost about $16 million. He could get the transition tag too, for about $3 million less.
LB Markus Golden - He is Giants GM Dave Gettleman's best free agent signing, reviving his career with 9 1/2 sacks after coming here on a one-year, $3.5 million deal. He's a high-motor player who produces and the Giants need more of those. They should re-sign him and likely will try as long as the market doesn't get crazy. It shouldn't. He's not a $100 million player. But he's going to get paid.
OT Mike Remmers - He's been a solid player for the Giants, but a little too up and down and too often battling injuries. The Giants don't have a lot of line depth, so if he'll come back for a minimum salary he's worth it. But second-year pro Nick Gates is likely going to be the starting right tackle next year.
S Michael Thomas - If the Giants are serious about the "culture" of their locker room, they'll find a way to bring back Thomas, one of the best guys in the room. He's also a serviceable player and a terrific influence on what is a very young secondary. He's only 30 and if the Giants can keep him with something like the two-year, $4 million deal that just expired, it's more than worth it.
LS Zak DeOssie - It's over for the 35-year-old long-time Giant. His career was remarkable and he was remarkably consistent until injuries and age began to take a toll.
LB Deone Bucannon - He hasn't done much since the Giants signed him in October. He's an interesting hybrid linebacker/safety and might fit in some defenses. It would depend on the defensive coordinator, Either way, he's looking at the veteran minimum.
LB David Mayo - A former Panther who signed a minimum-salary deal with the Giants and played his way into a starting job. He'll get more than the minimum this time, but not much more. At the right price, he's a good value player.
TE Scott Simonson - Will probably return on a minimum deal to serve as the blocking tight end to Evan Engram.
WR Corey Coleman - Coming off a torn ACL, he's worth a training camp invitation.
CB Antonio Hamilton - More a special teamer than anything, he does provide depth for a young CB corps.
WR Russell Shepard - He'll be 30 next September and doesn't fit into the Giants plans.
WR Cody Latimer - He's supposed to be able to stretch the field, but he doesn't. He's fine as a fifth or sixth receiver, but the Giants should be able to find younger players to fill those jobs.
WR Cody Core - A 25-year-old special teamer and nothing more. Could return for a minimum deal.
RB Buck Allen - A fine, veteran backup to Saquon Barkley, especially with Wayne Gallman clearly no longer in the Giants' plans.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
The Giants have three - C Jon Halapio, K Aldrick Rosas, and FB Eli Penny. All three are worth keeping, but even the original-round RFA tender is high - probably about $2.2 million. The Giants would be better served by trying to sign all there to small new contracts. None of them played great this season so they won't break the bank. Rosas, a former Pro Bowler, might be the exception, though his shaky season could definitely limit his bargaining power and any leverage he would've had.
POSSIBLE SALARY CAP CUTS
LT Nate Solder - His huge, four-year, $62 million contract makes this a tough pill to swallow in Year 3. He'll still cost $13 million in dead money, or $6.5 million each of the next two years if he's a post-June 1 cut. He may not be worth the money, but here's the big problem: If he goes, who's the left tackle? He may have to stay.
LB Alec Ogletree - The Giants like rookie Ryan Connelly as a replacement, if he's healthy. Cutting Ogletree clears $8.25 million in cap space and leaves only $3.5 million in dead money.
WR Golden Tate - His 2020 salary is no longer guaranteed thanks to his PED suspension the Giants could clear his whole $7.9 million salary off the books, with only $2.3 million in dead money left behind. Tate can still play and Daniel Jones needs reliable receivers, but a restructure seems to be in order here.
TE Rhett Ellison - If Pat Shurmur is gone, so is Ellison. He might be gone anyway to clear $5 million off the books.
LB Kareem Martin - He was brought in to help the transition to James Bettcher's defense. That didn't work at all. Cutting him clears $4.8 million in space.
S Antoine Bethea -- Another former Cardinal who didn't help much. Cutting him clears $2.75 million
C Spencer Pulley - Cutting him saves $2.75 million, but that's a small price to pay for offensive line depth.