The Giants had many boxes to check off as they entered this offseason, so many holes to fill as they embarked on free agency.
Quickly, they put checkmarks into several of the neediest boxes: Star-quality defensive end (Olivier Vernon). Top-tier cornerback (Janoris Jenkins). Run-stopping defensive tackle (Damon “Snacks’’ Harrison). Potential starting middle linebacker (Keenan Robinson). One-time menacing pass rusher who could return to prominence (Jason Pierre-Paul).
Once the first wave of spending frenzy died down, the Giants sorted through some leftovers and signed a fullback/tight end (Will Johnson) and two offensive linemen, Ryan Seymour and Dillon Farrell, who will compete for jobs.
Their roster is improved, but certainly not complete. They need a legitimate No. 2 receiver, a starting right tackle, possibly a starting right guard, most likely a starting linebacker. They have no veteran safety and no experienced tight end. They could use a cornerback capable of playing in the slot.
Thus far, general manager Jerry Reese has shown no inclination to sign players who might be turning past their primes to address roster weaknesses. At receiver, Marques Colston, Anquan Boldin and James Jones are available. At safety, well-known players such as Donte Whitner, Reggie Nelson, James Ihedigbo and Roman Harper remain unsigned. Offensive linemen with starting experience — Nate Chandler, Louis Vasquez and Jahari Evans — are all out there on the market. Owen Daniels is a solid NFL tight end who had a strong postseason run for the Broncos.
Reese could take a stab at one or more of these players, but he seems willing to wait until after the April 28-30 draft for additional roster tinkering.
The Giants could use their No. 10 overall pick to land a starting offensive tackle (Ronnie Stanley of Notre Dame?) or a starting linebacker (Leonard Floyd of Georgia?) or another pass rusher (Shaq Lawson of Clemson). They probably would not deem any receiver in the draft worth a top-10 pick, but they could find a receiver capable of contributing as a rookie in the second or third round.
So much of the emphasis and analysis centers on the first round of the draft, and the Giants not only have to get the 10th overall pick right, they also need to add impact players in the second and third rounds if they are to take a quantum step out of the playoff-less doldrums.