The success of the New York Giants in 2024 may depend on two smaller contracts for players who are less well-known, even though team supporters would want to see a big-name free agent sign in the city. The squad ought to think about signing these two obscure players.
OG Jonathon Runyan
John Runyan Sr. played offensive lineman for 14 years, missing only 12 starts from 1997 to 2008, before moving to New York to take a position as the NFL’s Vice President of Policy and Rules Administration. It is therefore not surprising that in his four years as a lineman for the Green Bay Packers, his son has not missed a single game.
The likelihood of Runyan returning to Green Bay is slim, though, as he did begin splitting time with Sean Rhyan, a third-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, as the season went on. Though he may not be as good as his father, the younger Ryan can play either side of the offensive line and has three years of starting experience.
Runyan is ranked as the seventh-best free-agent guard this year by Pro Football Focus, but at 26, he still has space for improvement. He would immediately improve the Giants, who in 2023 let up a league-high 85 sacks. Runyan’s estimated market value is $6.67 million annually, so the organization could sign him and still have money left over to handle other areas.
WR Noah Brown
Wide receiver Darius Slayton led the Giants with 770 yards last season, 203 more than Houston Texans receiver Noah Brown posted in seven seven games while averaging 17.2 yards per reception as the Texans’ No. 3 receiver.
Brown came to Houston after spending five years buried on the Dallas Cowboys’ depth chart. Coming off back-to-back 500 yard seasons, the 28-year-old receiver has earned more targets, but with players like Nico Collins and Tank Dell on the roster, he’ll need to find another team.
After finishing 2023 with the NFL’s second-worst passing offense, the Giants could use a big-play threat like Brown who can also get open when plays break down. Given the state of the team’s offensive line, the soon-to-be-former Texan could see plenty of looks in New York.
