Should the New York Giants consider a reunion with Adoree’ Jackson?

Here are 5 free agents the Giants could still consider adding to their roster?

The New York Giants made their six draft selections and are turning the page to offseason activities. Included in those activities are post-draft free-agent additions that do not count against the 2025 compensatory draft formula.

Joe Schoen and the Giants added cornerback David Long Jr. and wide receiver Allen Robinson since the end of the draft. According to Over The Cap, the Giants only have slightly over $5 million in cap space. New York could push specific contracts into the future to create immediate space. Still, Schoen has previously stated the undesirable nature of that action, despite having to do it a few times in his Giants’ tenure.

With the undrafted rookie free agents, the Giants currently have 48 offensive players, 40 defensive players, and four special teams players — a total of 92 players. Despite the overcrowded depth chart, the Giants should still shop around the bargain bin for upgrades or consider money-maneuvering if available players can drastically improve their chances of success.

Here are five names for the Giants to consider.

Adoree’ Jackson, CB

Yes, the Giants should seriously consider bringing back the 28-year-old cornerback. Jackson had his worst season as a Giant last year, playing 792 snaps with a 65.9% catch rate. Jackson committed four penalties with six passes defended and one interception.

Jackson was amicable with the Giants when the team approached him – in a contract year – about playing in the nickel to allow sixth-round pick Tre Hawkins III to start outside opposite fellow rookie Deonte Banks. In hindsight, that plan failed to work, but it did showcase a team-first mentality on the part of Jackson.

The selection of Andru Phillips and the signing of David Long Jr. shouldn’t preclude the Giants from adding another defensive back. I will say, however, that Phillips being given the No. 22 does throw some cold water on this idea. Jackson is known for his man coverage skills, but also possesses good immediacy and closing burst, with quality zone spatial awareness.

If the Giants go back down this path, Jackson would receive the inside track to a starting role unless one of the younger players proves worthy enough to unseat him. I would love for the Giants to entertain Stephon Gilmore or Xavien Howard, but they’re likely too pricey to be considered. At the right price, Jackson makes sense if the Giants want to be more competitive in 2024.

Calais Campbell, DL

Campbell will be 38 years old at the start of the season and is likely trying to play for a true competitor, but the Giants should still entertain him as an option. New York could use a complementary piece next to Dexter Lawrence, and who better to help guide this potential potent pass rush than a player as experienced — and still effective — as Calais Campbell?

Campbell played 712 snaps with Atlanta last year, recording 42 pressures and 6.5 sacks. He is still a stout run defender who can align outside of a four-shade, giving the Giants flexibility to employ him as an end in certain situations.

The 6-foot-8, 285-pound Campbell fills a valuable hole and would have an important role in Shane Bowen’s defense. However, he cost the Falcons seven million on a one-year contract last season, and that could be too pricey for the Giants at this current moment.

Ross Blacklock, DL

Possibly a more realistic target than Campbell is former Tennessee Titan Ross Blacklock, who spent the latter half of the 2023 season playing for Shane Bowen. Blacklock was a second-round pick by the Texans in 2020 and has played with four teams since then. The Titans signed him off the Colts’ practice squad last season, and he played 63 snaps for Bowen with four pressures.

His best season was in 2021 with the Texans, where he recorded 25 pressures. He was traded to the Vikings in a late-round swap of picks in 2022. Texans general manager Nick Caserio said trading Blacklock was “A tough decision” and “Ross was a good player for the organization for a number of years, local kid, has a lot of good athletic traits and attributes.”

Despite the kind words from Caserio – who arrived with the Texans in 2021 – Blacklock found himself out of Houston, and he’s failed to stick to a roster since.

I won’t act as if Blacklock is the most exciting player for the Giants to pursue. Still, he may be one of the more realistic available players who can push the defensive line room and be valuable depth if injuries do afflict the Giants in training camp.

Emmanuel Ogbah, edge

The Giants could still use reinforcements behind Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Azeez Ojulari. Ogbah, though, could be too aspirational, for the former Dolphins’ edge defender is coming off a four-year, $65-million contract. He signed that contract extension with Miami on the first day of the 2022 free agency and is again a free agent.

Ogbah was able to provide the Dolphins 612 snaps, 35 pressures, and 7 sacks through two seasons on the extension. In his first two years with the Dolphins, Ogbah played over 750 snaps in each season and had over 60 pressures each year.

Ogbah possesses a body type and frame that the Giants could use along their front. He is 6-foot-4, 278 pounds, and is 30-years-old. He may be looking for a prove-it deal, but he would likely have a clearer path to snaps in another situation. Regardless, he would fill a valuable role on the Giants that would likely consist of only a few hundred snaps if injuries do not befall the Giants.

Greg Van Roten, OL

I had to add an offensive player, and offensive linemen are forever a need for the Giants, even if they already signed four in free agency. Van Roten is 34 years old and would not be guaranteed a roster spot, but would provide familiar and competent depth to multiple positions along the front.

He has more than 1,000 career snaps at both guard positions and played 159 snaps at center in 2022 with the Bills. He spent his 2023 season with the Raiders and Carmen Bricillo. He played 1,025 snaps at right guard for Las Vegas and had his career-best Pro Football Focus grades.

Van Roten, a 33-year-old starter for Bricillo last season, allowed just 21 pressures and three sacks. He did not commit one penalty and also has experience playing next to Jermaine Eluemunor. If the Giants want further competition and more contingency plans along what seems to be a cursed offensive line room, then they could do worse than Van Roten.