The New York Giants are set to embark on their most important offseason in recent memory. The decisions made by general manager Dave Gettleman this spring will be critical in determining whether Big Blue can continue confidently on their current path, or if they’ll have to press the reset button once again. With that in mind, let’s examine the potential free agents that could propel this team to playoff contention.
Today, let’s move our focus to Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis.
The Resume
Taken fifth overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, Davis has underperformed his draft position thus far. After severely disappointing as a rookie, the Western Michigan product ascended to modest respectability in his second and third seasons. Over those two years, Davis averaged 3.5 receptions and 47.9 yards per game, to go along with six total touchdowns. Those are solid third-option-level numbers, but still nothing to write home about.
It was this past season when Davis truly broke out. In 2020, he set career highs with 984 receiving yards, 15.1 yards per catch, five touchdowns, and a 70.7 catch percentage. While still not quite living up to his top-five promise, Davis finally performed like a high-end number-two receiver.
He missed just three games over the last three years with injury, so durability isn’t a major concern.
The Fit
At 6’3 and 209 pounds, Davis fits the mold of the big-bodied, athletic outside receiver the Giants offense is missing. With Sterling Shepard manning the slot, he would start opposite of Darius Slayton from day one. Davis’ ability to produce in both the deep and intermediate levels of the field would nicely complement Big Blue’s other weapons.
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Much of Davis’ production came on deep over-routes in the Titans’ play-action based offense. That, along with his only having one year of strong production, could cause doubt about his ability to be the difference maker the Giants need.
The Cost
Spotrac estimates Davis’ market value at $9.8 million per year. That seems a tad low for a 26-year old former top-five pick coming off a very productive season. With the number of teams that have cap space and a need at wideout, Davis should command somewhere in the low to mid teens on the open market. He could be in even higher demand if the likes of Allen Robinson and Kenny Golladay get franchise tagged. The Giants could certainly afford him. He would represent their marquee signing, though, leaving just enough room to make a few smaller supplementary deals.
Should the Giants be Interested?
New York’s front office has made it known that adding offensive playmakers is their top priority. Davis certainly qualifies, but he still wouldn’t fit the number-one-receiver-sized hole in Big Blue’s passing game. If the Giants think they need to throw multiple assets at their recieving corps, Davis could be a solid mid-tier free agent to pair with a draft pick at the position. If they think their receiving corps is just one elite piece away, they’re better served spending their free-agency money elsewhere and addressing wideout in the draft.
– Ryan Cuneo is the Managing Editor of Full Press Giants. He covers the New York Giants. Like and follow on Follow @ryan_cuneo Follow @FullPressGiants and Facebook.
