I am a long time reader but seldom poster and wanted to share my thoughts how Big Blue turns things around next year. I don't need to explain how sickening this season is. I do agree with Schoen's comments the team is not that far off. There is a good core here, there is no question that the roster is better than it was in 2021 before he arrived.

Now is Daboll a keeper of a coach? That I can't say. Ed has detailed many examples that say no. But he took this team to the playoffs in his first year. None of us know what goes on among the coaches and in the locker room. We don't know how well they assess players and if they are getting the most out of them. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and say yes, I bet he'll be back. One thing is for certain, if he stays and they do draft a QB in round 1 which seems obvious now, they better be right. If the Front Office screws this up it could be a long, long time before they fix it.

On to the 2025 offseason. I'm a cap and data guy, I love PFF. I am going to make a list of suggested moves in that light. I think its worthy of discussion but I'm sure others who really watch the players will have other ideas. My emphasis is on good cap management. I'll go through the 2025 offseason chronologically and update the cap as I go.

Step 1 - Roster Management - Starting Cap Space - $42.3

First, it's time to say goodbye to Mr. Dimes. Oh, we all wanted him to be Eli Part Deux, but he broke. Injuries and shell shock took a less-than-optimal skillset and ran it into the ground. It's a shame. I'm not going to hate him and glad he made great money. He goes in a pre-June 1 cut giving us 19.4M in space. I'm also expecting Gano (3.1M) to be cut - old kickers with bad legs is not a good idea as well as Rakeem Nunez-Roches (3.6M). The mess of the DL is going to need some changes.

Focusing next on the OL I'd like to see Eluemenor get extended and shift to be the starting Right Guard as Van Roten won't be brought back. This presupposes that the coaching staff has worked out the mechanics with Neal and he will be a solid Right Tackle. The optimal OL situation is Thomas-Runyan-JMS-Eluemenor-Neal. If that can be a successful fivesome we are business. I am hoping the extension gets his 2025 cap hit down closer to 7-8M vs the 9.25M currently slated, about mid pack for the position.

With the rest of the free agents, I focus in on Slayton and Pinnock. Olujari is going to get a starting job somewhere, hopefully there is a good compensatory pick for him. I think Slayton will be gotten cheap (about a 6M hit) and can be good insurance if Nabers-Robinson-Hyatt can't be the go to threesome. Pinnock looks to be a keeper but his limited starting experience could project a value pricing, let's shoot for long term deal with something in the $8M year cap hit range.

The rest of the free agents are in the JAG category, I won't got into filling out the bottom of the roster here.

Cap Situation - 56.4M and 36 players under contract.

Step 2 - Free Agency

I see one critical move to be made and that's get a shutdown Cornerback. Banks ain't it. He'll be a solid, maybe strong second corner but not the guy to cover all-pro receivers. I like a guy like the Jets DJ Reed. Expect a 20M+ cap hit on a monster contract. A splurge here seems to fit well given how young and cheap the rest of the secondary is.

I see a veteran Swing Tackle and veteran run stuffing interior defensive lineman being focus areas for depth as well. I also think an Andy Dalton type backup QB will be important. Pencil in $5M in cap hits for each. Throw in a young kicker (2M hit) and we're down to the backend of the roster.

Cap Situation - 19.7M and 41 players

Step 3 - The Draft

I look forward to the Giants ensuring Drew Locke gets them a top three draft pick this year. And of course, its going to be a QB. I don't know how to evaluate talent but someone like Cam Ward seems like the direction to go - years of experience in college as a starter against increasing competition and lights-out stats. Sanders has a similar profile. Here's the rest of the draft by position (don't ask for a full mock). Quick research says we need to save 9M for our draft picks, that seems off but it was the best I could find. I also read we may be in line for a 4th round compensatory pick which could be a nice get. Especially to trade up.

Round 1 - QB

Round 2 - DT - Someone in the vein of Tomlinson or Joseph that can plug in right away and help on the run and occupy offensive linemen. Man we really need a "Snacks". The interior DL seems like a place someone can make an impact right away and that is what we need.

Round 3 - Edge - Somone to take Olujari's space without the pressure of being a starter

Round 4 - LB - We need a solid depth piece who can be stout vs. the run

Round 4 compensatory - DB - can never have enough depth here.

Round 5 - OL - a depth interior OL should be the add here. Someone who can play Center or Guard

Round 6 - TE - blocking TE

Round 7 - best available

Cap situation - $10M in space 48 players.

So here's the opening day 2025 roster:

QB (3) - Rookie, Vet, Min salary vet

RB (4) Tracy, Singletary, Gray, Miller

TE (3) Johnson, Bellinger, Manhertz/rookie

WR (6) Nabers, Robinson, Hyatt, Slayton, Ford-Wheaton, and a returner (Smith-Marsette or similar cost/talent)

OL (8) Thomas, Runyan, JMS, Eluemenor, Neal, Vet Swing Tackle, Ezeudu, Rookie

iDL (4)- Dex, Rookie, Vet, Riley

Edge (4) - Burns, Thibs, Rookie, Fox

LB (4) - Okereke, McFadden, Rookie, Musau

CB (5) - Vet, Banks, Flott, Philips, Hawkins

S (4) - Pinnock, Nubin, Belton, Rookie

ST -(3) Vet, Gillan, Kreiter

I think I still have 5 spots left for JAGs/Special Teamers and $10M in space. So what do you think? How does this roster look?