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New York Giants' 2020 NFL free-agent signings: CB Bradberry adds stability

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How the Giants are addressing their offseason (1:04)

Jordan Raanan recaps the Giants' most recent transactions and explains how the team is looking to address the need for an offensive tackle in this year's draft. (1:04)

NFL free agency is off and running, and we're keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2020 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from Bill Barnwell. The new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday, which means free-agent signings can be made official after that. The first round of the 2020 NFL draft begins April 23.

Here's a breakdown of every 2020 NFL free-agent signing by the New York Giants, and how each will impact the upcoming season:


Cameron Fleming, offensive tackle

The Giants agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the former Cowboy.

What it means: The Giants added an option to potentially start at right tackle with Mike Remmers a free agent. Fleming, whose deal can be worth up to $4 million, also can serve as a backup to Nate Solder at left tackle after having started games there with the Cowboys and Patriots, where he has worked with Giants head coach Joe Judge, offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and line coach Marc Colombo. They have watched Fleming start 26 career games. This move also won't prevent the Giants from drafting a tackle in the first round. Fleming will likely compete with Nick Gates and a draftee for a starting spot.

What's the risk: Fleming has never really been viewed as a full-time starter. He's spent most of his six-year career as a swing tackle. That is likely his best role. If the Giants don't select a tackle with their first-round pick they might need to rely on Fleming to do something he's never done before -- start more than seven games. That is a risky proposition with second-year quarterback Daniel Jones behind center. They need to protect their prime investment.


James Bradberry, cornerback

The former Carolina Panthers cornerback agreed to a three-year, $45 million contract with $32 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

What it means: The Giants have the veteran cornerback they so desperately needed. They didn't have a cornerback under contract over the age of 24 who played significant snaps for them last season. Bradberry, 26, has a track record of success after holding his own in man coverage against some of the league’s top receivers this past season. He immediately becomes the Giants’ No. 1 cornerback and adds a veteran voice to the room. A lot is going to be asked of him as one of the league's highest-paid cornerbacks.

What's the risk: Not much. Bradberry has started 60 career games and has missed just one over the past three seasons. He's known as a bit of a gambler, and maybe there is a transition switching to a team that will predominately be in man coverage after he played more in zone than man in Carolina. The Giants had to pay up for Bradberry, and part of what they paid for is minimal risk. This is a strong move for a team that needed cornerback help in the worst way.


Dion Lewis, running back

The veteran running back agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Giants.

What it means: The Giants found a complement to Saquon Barkley who could take some of his snaps on passing downs. Lewis caught 59 passes two years ago in Tennessee. He also has previous experience with new coach Joe Judge from New England. Lewis played for the Patriots from 2015-17, where he was a trusted pass-catcher and blocker. That is likely what Judge has in mind for his role with the Giants. It also puts Wayne Gallman's status in question. He was the backup to Barkley for most of the past two seasons, before losing that job to Buck Allen late last year. Lewis has a different skillset than Gallman, but still provides new (and stiff) competition.

What's the risk: Lewis, entering his ninth NFL season, turns 30 years old in September. In running back years, he's old. Lewis’ production dropped considerably last season, in large part because his playing time dipped with Derrick Henry emerging as one of the league’s top backs. But it’s fair to wonder how much Lewis has left in the tank, and if it’s really worth him taking anything more than a few snaps per game from Barkley. It’s not as if Barkley doesn’t catch the ball well.


Colt McCoy, quarterback

The Giants reached an agreement with the veteran quarterback on a one-year deal worth $1.5 million guaranteed, a source confirmed to ESPN.

What it means: The $1.5 million guaranteed in McCoy's one-year deal with the Giants likely pegs him as the backup to Daniel Jones. Veteran Alex Tanney is also on the roster but doesn't have any guaranteed money in his deal. McCoy, 33, is an ideal backup given his work ethic and cerebral approach. He's known to work well with young quarterbacks after mentoring Dwayne Haskins last year and Robert Griffin III earlier in his career. McCoy is likely to fill a similar role with the Giants.

What's the risk: McCoy has an injury history. He broke his right leg in 2018 and it gave him problems through the beginning of last season, before he finished the year healthy after making one start. At age 33, we'll see how his body holds up -- possibly without an offseason workout program. The Giants also probably don't want McCoy playing for an extended period. He hasn't started more than four games since the 2011 season.


Leonard Williams, defensive lineman

The Giants on Monday placed the franchise tag on Williams.

Projected franchise tag salary: $16.1 million

Seasons: 5

Career highlights: Williams was the sixth overall pick in 2015 out of USC and made the Pro Bowl in 2016, when he had a career-best 7.0 sacks. He has 266 tackles and 17.5 sacks in five seasons. He finished with 0.5 sacks and two tackles for a loss in 2019 with the Giants and New York Jets.

Why he was tagged: The Giants liked what they saw in the eight games Williams played for them after the trade last season. He didn't produce splash plays but still flashed the potential and talent that warranted making this move. Williams was possibly their best defensive player over the final eight weeks, which was as much a statement about them as him. He had 20 quarterback pressures and 14 hurries, tops among Giants defensive linemen, after joining the team.

The Giants had already invested third- and fifth-round picks in Williams from the trade, so they were already committed to him heading into this offseason. Allowing him to walk as a free agent would have been disastrous. A tag was the only option to justify and salvage the trade.

What he brings: A quality NFL player. Youth and potential. Williams turns 26 in June. He's still young and there is still hope he develops into a consistent difference-making player. The pressures and hurries suggest he's causing disruption. He just hasn't proven to be a great finisher.

Blake Martinez, linebacker

The Giants and former Packers linebacker agreed to a three-year deal worth $30 million late Monday night.

What it means: The Giants have a middle linebacker to run their defense, and that really is the key here. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham needed someone he can trust who could call and make plays. Martinez can do that, as evidenced by his time in Green Bay when he recorded 140-plus tackles each of the past three seasons as their middle linebacker. He also has familiarity with Graham, who was his linebackers coach and the run game coordinator in Green Bay during the 2018 season. Finally, with the signing of Bradberry and Martinez and the franchise tagging of Williams, the Giants at least have some veterans with pedigree again on their defense.

What's the risk: Martinez was a tackling machine in Green Bay, but how much of that was the system which funneled everything in his direction? The Packers saw firsthand what he could do and weren't willing to pay him at this level. They saw some things that likely made them hesitant, and it probably has to do with his coverage skills. "Average cover skills," one longtime linebackers coach said. Martinez allowed a poor 9.1 yards per target as the nearest defender in coverage, per NFL Next Gen Stats. He still should be a significant upgrade over Alec Ogletree, who struggled the past two years.


Levine Toilolo, tight end

The former 49ers tight end is expected to agree to a deal with the Giants, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

What it means: The Giants found their replacement for Rhett Ellison, who recently retired. Toilolo is 6-8, 268 pounds and fills the Giants' need for a tight end who can block and serve as a complement to the more dynamic Evan Engram. The 49ers used Toilolo to aid their running game and his role will likely be similar with the Giants.

What's the risk: Toilolo doesn’t bring much of a receiving threat when he's on the field. He caught two passes for 10 yards on more than 200 snaps last season with the 49ers. He has 97 catches for 996 yards and eight touchdowns in seven seasons. This move isn't going to be costly, though, so the risk is minimal.


Kyler Fackrell, Linebacker

The Giants agreed to a one-year deal with the former Packers linebacker.

What it means: The Giants are unlikely to land a big-name pass-rusher in free agency this year. No Jadeveon Clowney. No Dante Fowler Jr. Not even Robert Quinn or Everson Griffen. They’re aiming to piece it together now with Fackrell, Lorenzo Carter, Oshane Ximines and likely another mid-range edge rusher later in free agency. New coach Joe Judge has said he would love to have a dominant star pass-rusher, but if that wasn't possible, he said there were seasons where the Patriots pieced it together with a committee. That appears to be what the Giants are doing this year given their options in free agency and the draft. Ohio State defensive end Chase Young isn't going to be an option with the No. 4 draft pick, and most of the top pass-rushers in free agency were tagged.

What's the risk: It’s possible that 2018 season was a mirage and Fackrell is more the backup he’s been every other year. He’s not particularly stout against the run and has never topped three sacks in a season other than 2018. At least it’s not a huge gamble for the Giants given the investment. Fackrell is a low-risk investment at one year and $4.6 million. If he can produce at anywhere near his ’18 rate it will be worth that price.


Cody Core, receiver

The Giants agreed to a two-year deal with the special teams ace.

What it means: The Giants have begun addressing their special teams, where there are a bunch of key contributors on the free agent market. Not a surprise given Judge's special teams background. Core, who will be re-signed, led the Giants’ special teams in tackles last season with six. He was especially impressive as a gunner, posting five of the team’s Top 10 speeds, per Next Gen Stats. His 21.93 mph on a Week 13 punt was the fastest time for any Giant last season. Core's speed and ability to provide depth at wide receiver were valued. He received a two-year deal that could be worth up to $4.7 million, according to a source. Not bad for a primary special-teamer.

What's the risk: Core played in 16 games last year for the first time in his four professional seasons. He still finished with just three catches for 28 yards, and has just 33 career receptions in minimal playing time at wide receiver. The jury is still out on whether he can produce for an extended stretch if the Giants have a spate of injuries and the opportunity presents itself. Regardless, he still provides value on special teams, mitigating the risk.


Nate Ebner, safety

The former Patriots special teams ace and Rugby Olympian agreed to a one-year deal with the Giants.

What it means: Judge has someone he trusts implicitly on his special teams units. That is what Ebner brings to the table. He's a special teams ace. Ebner had more than 10 special teams tackles in six of his eight years with the Patriots and Judge was the special teams coordinator for most of those eight years. He now has Ebner in New York to contribute on special teams and help teach things his way, on the field and in the classroom. It's important for new coaches to bring some of their guys over to their new stop. Ebner is a notable one for Judge.

What's the risk: Ebner, 31, is on the downside of his career. What if there isn’t a lot left in the tank? He's listed as a defensive back/safety but has never started a game in his NFL career. If Ebner has lost a step, it's going to be hard to contribute on special teams at the level that Judge expects, and we know his value is limited on defense. Judge was adamant that you don't bring in guys to simply teach younger players. Can a player like Ebner serve as a mentor? Sure. But that will not be his primary purpose. It will be imperative he can play.


Corey Coleman, receiver

The former Browns first-round pick agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Giants.

What it means: He's coming off a major knee injury and nobody really knows how he will look following surgery. It could take time for Coleman to feel comfortable and regain confidence in his knee. He insists he's learned from mistakes made earlier in his career, but as one NFC executive explained, it's kind of now or never. He's only 25, but running out of time. Still, on a one-year deal for a player with innate speed and talent, it's seems like a risk worth taking.

What's the risk: Coleman gets a chance to resuscitate his career with the Giants seven months removed from a torn ACL last summer. This could be his last real shot in his fifth professional season. Fortunately for Coleman, he’s only 25. The first-round pick of the Browns in 2016 looked good last spring and early summer, when he appeared to be in line for the Giants’ No. 3 receiver spot. This year the group is even deeper, with Coleman behind Golden Tate, Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton. Coleman will have his work cut out for him, but he told ESPN this month that he’s going to come back even stronger, and expects his knee to be ready for OTAs this spring.


Austin Johnson, DT

The Giants reached a one-year deal with the former Titans lineman.

What it means: The Giants add to their defensive line mix. They now have a pretty deep interior group with Dexter Lawrence, Dalvin Tomlinson, Leonard Williams and B.J. Hill at the top of the rotation. Johnson, who has started 13 career games in four seasons with the Titans, is known more for his run-stopping ability. The Giants seem to be loading up in this area, which isn’t really a surprise considering GM Dave Gettleman and coach Joe Judge both believe stopping the run is among the keys to winning.

What's the risk: The Giants keep adding run-stuffers to their defensive line. Where will the pass-rush come from? Johnson has 2.5 career sacks. It’s not his specialty. Williams is considered the best pass-rusher of the bunch and he had a half sack last season. He has 17.5 in five years. Williams had 34 quarterback pressures last season (a good but not great number), but at some point the Giants might need somebody from the interior to take the quarterback to the ground.