*With the offseason officially under way, Around The NFL will examine what's next for all 32 teams. The series rolls on with the New York Giants. *
What's changing?
Once again, not much. The team stuck to its recent trend of ending a disappointing season by firing a coordinator in order to pacify the fan base. But there is a hope that, with Eli Manning entering a contract season and Odell Beckham emerging as a superstar, that the team will make a long-awaited return to the playoffs.
Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul will remain in New York after the Giants placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on the veteran, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday. Pierre-Paul was the Giants' biggest free agent and would have been at the top of the pass-rushing market.
Biggest free agents
» Antrel Rolle: The safety has been a confidant to Tom Coughlin for years, but at 32, he might be a little more expensive than the Giants would like. The team is already threadbare at safety, but will they fork over top dollar to get an emotional leader back?
» Walter Thurmond: Thurmond was supposed to be part of a completely re-tooled free agent class, but ended up missing the majority of the season with a torn pectoral. Thurmond is one of the best slot corners in the league and will be high on the Giants' priority list this offseason.
Other key free agents: LB Jacquian Williams, S Stevie Brown, DB Zackary Bowman, S Quintin Demps.
On the way out
» J.D. Walton: Last year's starting center will likely be replaced by 2014 second-round pick Weston Richburg after being cut by the team. Along with Walton, the Giants also released defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka and running back Peyton Hillis.
What they need
Offseason crystal ball
The Giants will franchise Pierre-Paul and continue to raid the market for capable offensive linemen. Though they could potentially move out of the No. 9 spot -- general manager Jerry Reese has been groomed to maximize picks inside the top 10, and with the depth of talent at positions of need, dropping a few positions could yield more valuable picks in the first three rounds -- there might not be many takers unless both quarterbacks start dropping. This is another opportunity for them to solidify the pocket around Manning.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast breaks down RGIII's appointment as starter and Larry Fitzgerald's new deal with the Cardinals. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
