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5 Mistakes the New York Giants Made In 2015 NFL Free Agency

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Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

5 Mistakes the New York Giants Made In 2015 NFL Free Agency

Jason Pierre-Paul New York Giants
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

A month into free agency, the New York Giants are a better team than when the season ended. That isn’t to say, however, that they haven’t made any poor moves. The following are the five biggest mistakes they’ve made so far; hopefully they can correct a few by season’s start.

5. Re-signing Mark Herzlich and John Jerry

Mark Herzlich New York Giants
Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports

5. Re-signing Mark Herzlich and John Jerry

Mark Herzlich New York Giants
Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports

These were far from the biggest signings the Giants made, but they really weren’t great moves. Herzlich is definitely a great story and it’s difficult to root against him; however, he’s been a subpar linebacker in his four years who’s fairly limited to playing only against the run. Jerry, similarly, has been extremely inconsistent in his NFL career despite starting 16 games last year.

4. Failing To Sign Jason Pierre-Paul To A Long-Term Deal

Jason Pierre-Paul New York Giants
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

4. Failing To Sign Jason Pierre-Paul To A Long-Term Deal

Jason Pierre-Paul New York Giants
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

It’s good enough that the Giants tagged him. It could’ve been worse -- they may have let him walk. Yet, it may end up costing the Giants much more in the long run. If JPP puts up another great year, he could be looking at a tremendous contract. Then the Giants won’t be able to tag him again, leaving him free to negotiate with other teams.

3. No Eli Manning Extension

Eli Manning New York Giants
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

3. No Eli Manning Extension

Eli Manning New York Giants
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Manning’s contract expires at the end of the 2015 season. Both sides would like to come to terms, which is a good sign. If they had worked on an extension this offseason, the Giants would have saved space against the cap, allowing them to pursue more and/or better free agents. This also puts the Giants in the predicament of having to sign both JPP and Manning to contracts next year.

2. Letting Antrel Rolle Walk

Antrel Rolle New York Giants
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

2. Letting Antrel Rolle Walk

Antrel Rolle New York Giants
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

He was a captain and a great player. The Giants will be losing both in 2015. They’ve also lost two other safeties this free agency, and now they have only three on the roster -- none of whom have much experience. This puts New York’s defense in a terrible place heading into the season.

1. Passing On A Free Agent Safety

Rahim Moore Denver Broncos
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

1. Passing On A Free Agent Safety

Rahim Moore Denver Broncos
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Rahim Moore, Devin McCourty and Ron Parker were all available to the Giants this spring. Although they did have some contact with a few safeties, they didn’t sign one. The position is the biggest hole on the roster now. The three aforementioned safeties are all younger than Rolle and could’ve been suitable replacements. Their cost is likely what deterred GM Jerry Reese, but that doesn’t explain his lack of a pursuit for any other safeties.

Matt Turner is a writer for RantSports. Like him on Facebook.
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