For the second year in a row, the Giants are protecting themselves from losing Leonard Williams to the free agency.
On Tuesday, the Giants are expected to place the franchise’s brand on their defensive lineman, a person familiar with the decision told NJ Advance Media. The news was first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. When players are marked in deductibles in consecutive years, the value of the tag must be 120% of the total for the previous year. For Williams, he won $ 16.1 million in bidding for the franchise in 2020, and that figure jumps to about $ 19.3 million this year.
The Giants and Williams are trying to come to terms with a new deal, but that hasn’t happened yet, so the franchise has chosen to tag him and prevent him from hitting the free agency, at least for now. The Giants could simply be using this as a negotiating tactic to stimulate discussions over a multiyear deal.
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Williams is coming out of the best season of his career (11.5 bags) and would likely receive a salary in the range of the top NFL defensive tackles if he hits the free agency, in the range of $ 20 million a season or more.
The downside of scoring Williams now is that the Giants will be forced to bid with a $ 19.3 million cap, making it more difficult for the team to do anything at a free agency. As of Monday night, the Giants were projected to have only about $ 7.3 million in limit space under a projected salary cap of $ 180.5 million, for Over the Cap. The actual limit could end up being a few million higher than that.
The Giants’ choice to score Williams could also have implications for another defensive lineman. Dalvin Tomlinson is also scheduled to reach the free agency and the Giants opting to score Williams make it clear who their priority is. The Giants can still sign again with Tomlinson, but it seems less likely if they intend to pursue any other major free agents.
To free up space, the Giants had already eliminated wide receiver Golden Tate, wide receiver Cody Core and linebacker David Mayo before Monday and also restructured tight end contract Levine Toilolo.
To mark Williams, the Giants need to have enough space on the lid to carry that $ 19.3 million figure. This probably means that the Giants will be making more moves soon, including cutting off left tackle Nate Solder and making a decision about right guard Kevin Zeitler. Zeitler’s cut would save the Giants $ 12 million, which would be enough to get the job done.
The Giants can significantly reduce the $ 19.3 million limit reached by signing a new deal with Williams. They could also technically change it now that it is marked, although that seems less likely.
If the Giants intend to do something noteworthy at the free agency next week, they will have to act quickly on a deal with Williams. Otherwise, they will be in a waiting pattern.
For a team with so many holes – especially in the wide receiver, edge rusher and offensive line – they really can’t afford to sit idly in this off season.
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