With some additional needs remaining on the 53-man roster, GM Joe Schoen and the Giants decided to create some cap space this past week by restructuring Andrew Thomas’ contract.
By converting his salary for this season into a signing bonus, the All-Pro left tackle now gives Big Blue just about $18 million to work with as they look to build out the rest of the depth chart over the next few weeks.
The Giants invested heavily in their offense in free agency, and the moves seem to be paying off during training camp and preseason action, but they could still use some reinforcements on the defensive side of the ball.
Their linebacker depth is running thin with some camp injuries and they could stand to add some safety help, but perhaps their biggest need is a reliable cornerback to pair with former first-round pick Deonte Banks.
Heading into camp it was expected that youngster Cor’Dale Flott would slide into the role for the first time in his career, but he’s been sidelined for each of the first two preseason games due to a lingering quad injury.
Others have struggled to step up in his place, as we saw during this weeks joint practice with the Jets, leaving New York’s secondary as a major question mark as we draw closer and closer to Week 1.
There’s no denying that they could use help at the position, and if they decide to look elsewhere there are still some intriguing options available in free agency, including a familiar face in Adoree' Jackson.
Jackson is coming off an extremely disappointing final year in the Big Apple, which resulted in the front office opting to let him test the open market, which is where he still remains today.
The former first-round pick showed his team-first mentality last year by slotting into the nickel position so rookie Tre Hawkins could play the outside, but he struggled mightily, allowing a career-high 65.9 percent catch-rate and reeling in just one interception.
Prior to that, though, Jackson was able to showcase his ability as a valuable versatile and playmaking cornerback over the first six years of his professional career with the Giants and Tennessee Titans.
That’s why New York should look to bring him back at the right price.
While no extension talks were had between the two sides, Jackson made it clear at the end of the season that he’d be open to returning to the team if the situation was right and he felt they had what it takes to compete.
At this point in the offseason, he may be holding out for an opportunity to arise after roster cuts are made, but if the two sides are able to come to terms on an agreement, a reunion may make sense for the both of them.
Jackson may not be the home run upgrade Giants fans are hoping for, but he would bring some much-needed experience to this relatively young and inexperienced group.
He’s also had his share of success while playing in the Big Apple, outside of his struggles last season, and has shown that he can fit into the culture that the organization is creating both on and off the field.
If Schoen and the Giants truly are hoping to upgrade their secondary, they should give the old friend a long look.