With the releases of multiple safeties, the market is flush with options for the Giants to consider, if they don’t bring back 24-year-old free agent Xavier McKinney:
Xavier McKinney is the youngest (24) of the top options for the Giants. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
Kevin Byard ( Age 30)
Kevin Byard Getty Images
He earned his second career First-Team All-Pro selection under new Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen with the Titans in 2021, but he looked a step slow after his midseason trade to the Eagles. After five seasons of at least four interceptions, he had just one but still was graded as the NFL’s No. 23 safety, per Pro Football Focus.
Jordan Poyer (Age 32)
The Bills’ salary-cap bloodletting Tuesday surely caught the attention of Giants general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, given their Buffalo ties. The ballhawking Poyer is durable and seemed to be getting better with age (First-Team All-Pro in 2021 and Pro Bowler in 2022) until last year.
Kam Curl (Age 25)
The ascending former seventh-round pick is one of the league’s most underrated players — with the versatility to play in the box (428 snaps last season), deep (422) or in the slot (166). He hasn’t had an interception over the past three seasons in Washington, but he will hit-stick a running back in the hole.
Julian Blackmon (Age 25)
Julian Blackmon AP
Coincidence or not, Schoen has a habit of signing ex-Colts (Mark Glowinski, Bobby Okereke, Parris Campbell). Blackmon is coming off career highs of 88 tackles and four interceptions. He is a reliable tackler who can be used in the slot to cover bigger receivers and tight ends but won’t win many speed matchups.
Kyle Dugger (Age 27)
The Giants didn’t transition-tag McKinney (one-year, $13.8 million) like the Patriots did to Dugger. Would he accept the same multiyear offer that McKinney would not? If so, the risk is just waiting to see if the Patriots match, not any compensation. He’s built more like a hybrid safety-linebacker, as both Daboll and Bowen have been exposed to through mentors.
Jordan Fuller (Age 26)
The New Jersey native is a good complement to fellow starter Jason Pinnock, who excels as a blitzer. Fuller is more of a center fielder who runs well and is in good position to contest catches. He was a two-time captain and Super Bowl winner for the Rams, which is important in a locker room that could be losing longtime leaders McKinney and Saquon Barkley.
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