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Ed Valentine (SB Nation) Responds to Dan Duggan's 10-Step

M.S. : 2/23/2026 5:53 am
off-season plan for the Giants. This is pretty good with Ed Valentine writing a fairly extensive response to Dan Duggan's plan which is as follows:

1. Cut LB Bobby Okereke
2. Extend DL Dexter Lawrence
3. Don’t trade Kayvon Thibodeaux
4. Re-sign RT Jermaine Eluemunor, CB Cor’Dale Flott
5. Let WR Wan’Dale Robinson walk
6. Sign DT John Franklin-Myers
7. Sign G Isaac Seumalo
8. Draft Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 5
9. Trade back to acquire more picks
10. Decline CB Deonte Banks’ fifth-year option


Here's are my comments on Duggan's off-season plan:

1. I continually waffle over this one, but the cap savings are just too enticing not to.
2. Extend Dexter or not? I don't care one jot. Having John Harbaugh sitting down with the Big Man for a coming to Jesus moment is the most important thing.
3. I waffle over this one as well. My gut tells me Harbaugh trades him and gets at least a 3rd.
4. Giants are thin at such important positions. Sign them both!
5. If the Giants don't sign a high-end free agent WR, then they would be fools to let Wan'Dale walk.
6. The Athletics' 17th ranked free agent! I'd take this guy in a heartbeat. Good luck.
7. The Athletics' 20th ranked free agent! (see #6)
8. I'm in an Ohio State of Mind at #5, but I'm leaning toward Sonny Styles. Caleb Downs is a great consolation prize, however.
9. Yea. Good luck. So are two dozen other teams.
10. Is he still a Giant? Why?

10 steps for fixing the NY Giants — which are right, and which are wrong? - ( New Window )
I thought Duggan relies too much on PFF ratings  
Will Shine : 2/23/2026 7:39 am : link
to guide his conclusions.

I think Valentine overvalues our own Free Agents. I would not overpay for Wan'Dale. This draft is deep in WRs.
I don't love viewing re-signing our free agents  
Mike from Ohio : 2/23/2026 9:17 am : link
through the lense of "we are thin there." Best to view it this way - Eleumanor, Flott and Robinson are guys who are not NYG anymore. They are free agents like all other free agents.

The question is are each of those guys the free agent you want at those positions for what they will cost?

For years the Giants have defaulted to re-signing their own free agents because they overvalue guys already in the building. I am hoping with JH in place they are much more pragmatic in asking whether these are guys we would pursue if they were coming in from other teams.
RE: I don't love viewing re-signing our free agents  
Brown_Hornet : 2/23/2026 9:33 am : link
In comment 17108000 Mike from Ohio said:
Quote:
through the lense of "we are thin there." Best to view it this way - Eleumanor, Flott and Robinson are guys who are not NYG anymore. They are free agents like all other free agents.

The question is are each of those guys the free agent you want at those positions for what they will cost?

Agreed
RE: I don't love viewing re-signing our free agents  
M.S. : 2/23/2026 9:43 am : link
In comment 17108000 Mike from Ohio said:
Quote:
through the lense of "we are thin there." Best to view it this way - Eleumanor, Flott and Robinson are guys who are not NYG anymore. They are free agents like all other free agents.

The question is are each of those guys the free agent you want at those positions for what they will cost?

For years the Giants have defaulted to re-signing their own free agents because they overvalue guys already in the building. I am hoping with JH in place they are much more pragmatic in asking whether these are guys we would pursue if they were coming in from other teams.

I agree but please note the Giants haven't signed some key FAs (or soon-to-be FAs) and it bit them in the ass: X-man, Love, Williams (and maybe B.J. Hill). In any event, gotta have a serious alternative choice in free agency and/or the Draft if we let some of these starters walk.
RE: RE: I don't love viewing re-signing our free agents  
Mike from Ohio : 2/23/2026 9:54 am : link
In comment 17108017 M.S. said:
Quote:
In comment 17108000 Mike from Ohio said:


Quote:


through the lense of "we are thin there." Best to view it this way - Eleumanor, Flott and Robinson are guys who are not NYG anymore. They are free agents like all other free agents.

The question is are each of those guys the free agent you want at those positions for what they will cost?

For years the Giants have defaulted to re-signing their own free agents because they overvalue guys already in the building. I am hoping with JH in place they are much more pragmatic in asking whether these are guys we would pursue if they were coming in from other teams.


I agree but please note the Giants haven't signed some key FAs (or soon-to-be FAs) and it bit them in the ass: X-man, Love, Williams (and maybe B.J. Hill). In any event, gotta have a serious alternative choice in free agency and/or the Draft if we let some of these starters walk.


If Wandale Robinson played for the Rams last year, would people here be arguing we need to go sign him now? I doubt it. I think he is being overvalued because he was or leading WR because Nabers was hurt and Slayton is unreliable.

And the Giants tried to sign Love. He took less money to go elsewhere. You pay a premium when you are a bad team shopping in free agency because all you can win on is "we'll pay you more."
Drafting Sonny Styles is my hope right now  
Rjanyg : 2/23/2026 10:00 am : link
I think we need more versatility and play making from the LB position. I like the idea of having Burns and Carter on the outside with Styles and maybe a free agent LB like Leo Chenal if they decide to part ways with Bobby O.

Add a run stuffing DT with some pass rush ability and this defense will improve greatly.
My views on this 10-step plan of Duggan's in CAPS  
nygiantfan : 2/23/2026 10:01 am : link
1. Cut LB Bobby Okereke NO BRAINER
2. Extend DL Dexter Lawrence CREATE SOME CAP ROOM HERE SOMEHOW
3. Don’t trade Kayvon Thibodeaux DO THE OPPOSITE
4. Re-sign RT Jermaine Eluemunor, CB Cor’Dale Flott WOULD PLAY IT SAFE ON OL AND RESIGN JE EVEN IF COSTS MORE THAN WOULD LIKE. FLOTT CAN GO.
5. Let WR Wan’Dale Robinson walk FINE
6. Sign DT John Franklin-Myers FINE
7. Sign G Isaac Seumalo FINE
8. Draft Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 5 YES
9. Trade back to acquire more picks WOULD DO SOME OF THIS ON DAY 3 IF ABLE. PROBABLY DOESN'T ADD MUCH THOUGH.
10. Decline CB Deonte Banks’ fifth-year option NO KIDDING
RE: Drafting Sonny Styles is my hope right now  
M.S. : 2/23/2026 10:10 am : link
In comment 17108024 Rjanyg said:
Quote:
I think we need more versatility and play making from the LB position. I like the idea of having Burns and Carter on the outside with Styles and maybe a free agent LB like Leo Chenal if they decide to part ways with Bobby O.

Add a run stuffing DT with some pass rush ability and this defense will improve greatly.

I agree. One of the things I really like about him is that he gives us a 2-for-1 player -- someone who can step into the hole and stop the run, and someone who can get tremendous depth and carry a TE/RB downfield. Love this guy.
Signing OL free agents  
BobR in Durham : 2/23/2026 11:18 am : link
Despite the weakness of our WR and ILB rooms, and the hole next to Dex, the OL has to take priority in free agency and possibly in the draft, as well.

This is the OL currently under contract:

Starters

LT A Thomas
LG J Runyan Jr
C JMS
RG J Kubas
RT M Mbow

Reserves

LT J Hudson
RT R Holskey
C B Hudson

Anyone feel comfortable with that lineup?
Moreover, everyone except for Thomas and Mbow are only signed through next season. If the OL isn't seriously addressed (talent and numbers), Dart will be pummeled.
My plan  
HardTruth : 2/23/2026 11:41 am : link
1- Cut Okereke, Runyan, JMS, Hyatt, Singletary, Gano & Gillian

2- trade Thibodeaux (possibly to Titans?) for a 3rd

3- restructure Burns & Thomas but not Lawrence

This creates over 73 mil of cap space according to Google AI for Harbaugh to reshape the roster in his
image

4- Do not resign Wan Dale, Flott or Eluemenor

5- sign Tyler Linderbaum (5 years 20 mil per) , Wyatt Teller OG 3 yrs 31 mil, Patrick Ricard 2 yrs 6 mil, Keenan Allen 1 yr 7 mil, Calais Campbell 1 yr 6 mil, Darrell Baker 2 yrs 8 million DB, Rasul Douglas DB 1 yr 4 mil , Jordan Stout P 3 yrs 12 million and Devin Bush 3 yrs 30 mil

6- draft Caleb Downs (my priority is Bain 1, Downs 2 abd Styles 3 for our pick) and Emmanuel Pregnon OG (Bisonti as a second choice) in rd 2 . I would also target a WR, OT, DL and CB in our other picks.

This is not every answer in 1 offseason but it completely rebuilds the Interior OL and gives Harbaugh his pre-snap playcallers on O & D ( Linderbaum & Downs) it gets rid of our low performance players and offers clean break from Daboll era and bring in some proven veterans at vulnerable positions on low term/cost deals . It establishes some new core guys like Linderbaum, Downs and Bush.

There will be still some holes to fill at key spots but positions the team to be competitive this year while continuing to build long term and replace guys like Campbell/Allen in 27 offseason

RE: I thought Duggan relies too much on PFF ratings  
Jint Fan in Buc Land : 2/23/2026 2:12 pm : link
In comment 17107960 Will Shine said:
Quote:
to guide his conclusions.

I think Valentine overvalues our own Free Agents. I would not overpay for Wan'Dale. This draft is deep in WRs.


CJ Daniels is a great example. He’ll be the productive nid round wr Slayton was supposed to be
RE: RE: I thought Duggan relies too much on PFF ratings  
j_rud : 2/23/2026 3:20 pm : link
In comment 17108145 Jint Fan in Buc Land said:
Quote:
In comment 17107960 Will Shine said:


Quote:


to guide his conclusions.

I think Valentine overvalues our own Free Agents. I would not overpay for Wan'Dale. This draft is deep in WRs.



CJ Daniels is a great example. He’ll be the productive nid round wr Slayton was supposed to be


You need to have some perspective and adjust expectations. Slayton isnt without his warts and the contract isnt good. But he was a 5th round pick. Daniels will "be the productive mid rounder Slayton was supposed to be"? Really? Do you know how many receivers, since 2010, taken 5th round or later have been more productive than Slayton? 6. Thats it. 6 out of 139. And the vast, vast majority dont come anywhere close to his 4400 yards and 22TDs.
Was it so bad not signing Mckinney?  
floridafan : 6:39 am : link
Last year he had:
2 int.
10 Pass Defensed
106 combined tackles
0 Tackles for Loss.
Was this worth 17 million?
RE: Was it so bad not signing Mckinney?  
M.S. : 5:42 pm : link
In comment 17108445 floridafan said:
Quote:
Last year he had:
2 int.
10 Pass Defensed
106 combined tackles
0 Tackles for Loss.
Was this worth 17 million?

True, but I think you have to look at his entire body of work with the Packers.
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