Examining Commanders’ NFC East rivals after frenzied start to free agency

New York Giants

Key Losses:

• Julian Love, S
• Nick Gates, C/G
• Jon Feliciano, C (likely)

Key Additions:

• Darren Waller, TE
• Bobby Okereke, LB

Darren Waller and Bobby Okereke are good players, and the newly acquired tight end could really help an anemic group of pass catchers. But if it seems like the New York Giants have not made much of a splash in free agency, it’s because their biggest moves were in-house.

The Giants were able to work out a long-term deal with quarterback Daniel Jones, which in turn allowed them to put the non-exclusive franchise tag on running back Saquon Barkley. Thus, barring any unforeseen surprise move, their backfield will be intact, at least for 2023.

They also re-signed Matt Brieda as a change-of-pace back when Barkley is out.

New York will almost certainly look to draft a center this season to replace the veteran Jon Feliciano, who came with Brian Daboll from the Buffalo Bills. They have been linked to John Michael Schmitz, a likely Day 1 starter in the NFL. But there are a lot of good centers in this year’s draft if he isn’t the man.

Replacing Julian Love could be trickier. He has been a defensive captain for the Giants and is a good deep cover safety. Jason Pinnock looks like the player who will take over as of now, but there are still some intriguing free agents on the market.

The Giants’ major hole, like the Dallas Cowboys, is at receiver. They have put an end to the ill-starred Kenny Golladay experiment and are also likely to lose depth receivers such as Richie James and Marcus Johnson.

They are hoping that veteran Sterling Shepard can return from injury and help out the recently re-signed Darius Slayton, and free agent Parris Campbell. But the Giants will still be looking to provide Jones with more reliable big-play options on the outside.

Thankfully, this is a problem the Washington Commanders don’t have at the skill positions heading into the 2023 season.