New York Giants Mailbag: The Saquon Edition

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Most of this week's mailbag involves questions regarding running back Saquon Barkley. Will the Giants trade him? Is Bijan Robinson in the mix if he falls to them at No. 25? If Barkley returns this year, will he be here in 2024?

So I think it makes sense to just devote one mini-article to answering all the questions received since they overlap.  

First, I remain convinced that Barkley will not be traded because I don't think the Giants want to trade him, and I also don't think they'd get the value that they think he might be worth. I also think the Giants realize what they have in Barley and what he can do for the offense, and to suggest trading him would be cutting off their nose to spite their face.

I do think Barkley is going to play the 2023 season on the franchise tag and hope that come 2024, the Giants don't franchise him a second time. Now, if he looks at things objectively, playing 2023 on the franchise tag, given his injury history, is a huge gamble. 

If I were advising him, I'd suggest he strongly consider taking a multiyear deal with more guaranteed money than the $10.1 million guaranteed than the franchise tag due to pay this year. 

I think any belief that he can gamble on himself this year by topping last year's production--especially with the additions the Giants made on offense--is shortsighted, given how some of his injuries were freak occurrences. If I'm him, I want some sort of multiyear stability. 

And if I'm the Giants, I put my original offer back on the table, plus I maybe look to sweeten it with some incentives that can push the APY upward to save face. If Barkley wants to gamble on himself, this would be the acceptable way to do it while ensuring he gets paid.

I do not think the Giants would draft Bijan Robinson if he fell to them at No. 25-- and I don't think that's happening, as I suspect the Eagles might grab him if he's there. Robinson, to my thinking, is a luxury pick, and the Giants are not in a position to draft luxury picks that high right now.

Speaking of which, I was also asked for my thoughts if a division rival drafted Robinson. The Giants have attempted to close the gaps with Dallas and the Eagles and will continue to do so via the draft. 

I would like to think they have vastly improved their run defense, but we'll see once they take the field in the fall. Regardless, I won't lose sleep if the Eagles or Cowboys draft Robinson--that's not a diss at the young man, but rather it's a case of things being what they are. 

The Giants' division opponents will do their best to upgrade their rosters. The Giants will try to do the same, and may the most upgraded roster win.

Steve, a trade depends on who is on the board and the cost. I'd be surprised if the Giants traded up in the first round, as I imagine that would result in a dent in their draft capital. The only way I see it making sense is if one of those stud cornerbacks falls within striking distance. 

However, I could see a trade-down for a package that would include picks in next year's draft. And I do believe that there will be some trading done by the Giants this draft--I've said for weeks now that I don't see them keeping all of their remaining ten draft picks, and nothing I've heard or seen has convinced me otherwise.

Mike, Saquon's agent is doing what she's been hired to do: get the best possible deal for him and not settle for what the Giants are offering. I don't hold that against her. Where I have questions, though, is in how she appears to be valuing Saquon. I've said this before: We all think we're worth more than we actually are. At some point, you must understand the market well and fit yourself in accordingly. 

If a multiyear deal worth $12.5-$13 million wasn't good enough for them, then what exactly do they want per year? (Side note: The holdup could also be on the guaranteed money--hard to say without actually talking to the agent or Saquon, but I feel it necessary to mention that).

As for Schoen's annoyance, wouldn't you get annoyed too if you were asked the same thing multiple times after saying that you haven't spoken to him in almost a month and saying that you can't speak for the guy as to how he's feeling? I get it from the media's perspective why the questions have to be asked, but after a while, there are only so many ways you can ask the same thing before you sound like a broken record.

I think so. The salary cap will go up now that the new TV revenue is kicking in, and the payback against the cap, which was necessary to make up for the lost revenue due to the COVID years, should be settled. The question is how much longer do they want to carry Leonard Williams, who is getting up in age and has had some injuries of late.  

What's up, Chris? The Giants have 74 players under contract. If they took all ten draft picks, that would give them 84, and they'd still have room for six UDFA signings to reach the training camp roster limit of 90. So yes, they have room to fit all ten picks onto the roster if they want to go that way.

I think the Giants were always looking at running back in the draft, regardless of what happened with Saquon. Schoen said this week that the Saquon situation doesn't necessarily mean the need becomes higher. 

The one name that intrigues me that I think is a realistic target for the Giants is Keaton Mitchell (South Carolina). Mitchell is a guy that reminds me of Darren Sproles--small but speedy and shifty. How cool would it be to have a scatback type of runner in the backfield capable of zipping by defenders?  

I do. As Schoen said, hee's been spending a lot of time getting ready for the draft, so I would think that, to a degree, contract negotiations have slowed just a bit. But yes, I do think Dexter's deal will get done sooner than later.

(From Joe G.) Yes, we need a center, but our IOL was weak throughout. We have about 4-5 guys who are left guards, some were injured last season. No one really stood out--our best was Bredesen.

On IOL, we should draft the best player. This guy is Torrence, if he is avail. Move one or more of our young guards to center and draft a pure center later in the draft.

If Torrence is gone, then yes, draft a center at #2. At CB, we can wait to draft one of the better ones at 57. Giants should move up to late 1st, after our own 25, or early 2nd, and draft a CB. Let's not get stuck on center, we need the best IOL. Your thoughts.

Joe, how can you say that no one stood out at left guard but then say there were injuries involved--injuries which prohibited many from ascertaining if the Giants have the answer at left guard. All signs pointed to Joshua Ezeudu taking over at left guard, but he had a neck issue. Do we know he would have been a bust?

If I'm the Giants, I'm not drafting an offensive lineman in Round 1 over a cornerback--not if I want to close the gaps with Dallas and Philly, who have speedsters at receiver.

You've also suggested moving one of the young guards to center and drafting a pure center. That's not happening. Stop dillydallying and get a pure center that can anchor that offensive line for years. (Why would you want to waste a young guard by moving him to center and then drafting a center on top of it?)

Wait until No. 57 to draft a cornerback? Nope. Sorry. If you want to close the gap in the NFC East, you better get guys who can cover these big speedy wideouts a lot better than last year's group did.

You also say the Giants "should move up to late first round after picking at No. 25. Nope. Don't see that happening either. Might they move up in the second round? Perhaps, but it all depends on how the board falls.

(From Brian J.) Doesn’t it seem we are setting ourselves up for another injury-riddled or/and ‘the drop-itis’ at the wide receiver group again? Thoughts of optimism?

Brian, why so negative? I mean, yes, injuries happen--even Odell had an injury while he was with the team. But that's why you build up the depth.

(From Bruce S.): Who are the Giants planning to use for returning punts

Bruce, I don't think they even know at this point. Way too soon to be worrying about that now. Let the competition play out.

This next question was submitted to Nick Falato, who has been doing our draft prospect profiles. I asked Nick to answer it.

(From Jim P.) Nick, your grading system is outstanding and thorough. I have one question, and I’ll use Quentin Johnston as an example. Your chart has 6.3-6.4 (2nd Round). You graded Johnson at 6.38. You didn’t grade him at 6.30 or 6.35. Does this mean he’s better than most players targeted for 2nd round selection? Thank you!

From Nick Falato: I appreciate the kind words, Jim! You're correct in your assessment as well. Quentin Johnston is a 6.38, which means I value him more toward the TOP end of the second round since a second-rounder on the scale is anything between 6.3-6.4.

It's also necessary to note that there will not be 32 (or 31 this season) first-round grades. I attempt to evaluate every draft class through a similar scale, and this draft class isn't as heavy at the top as others. I hope this helps, Jim. Please feel free to ask any questions you have. You can message me on Twitter.

The following are some questions I received from the Locked On Giants podcast. Some of you have asked me to evaluate your mock drafts. Respectfully I'm going to decline because, with some of the names submitted, I just don't have enough information to offer an opinion.

(From Greg P.) I am an EVERYDAYER and truly enjoy your podcast during my morning walks.

The only podcast I don’t like is the one with the guy you have on after each game. I typically skip those. Can’t take listening to that guy.

Emory is not a fan of Daniel Jones! Just curious why you didn’t educate him as to why it would have made no sense to put Jones on the franchise tag compared to putting Barley on the tag. As you explained previously, it would have tied up too much of the cap.

Greg, thank you for being an "every-dayer." I don't always agree with everything my guests have to say on the shows, but I recognize that they have a right to an opinion. And I've never had a problem with someone having an opinion who can back it up with logic.

I'm not going to "educate" people in the business as to why their opinions are right or wrong unless they ask me to. Might I offer a counterargument? Sure. Will I give my opinion? Absolutely. But at the end of the day, it's up to the readers and listeners to decide whose opinion makes more sense. And I think I said both on the show and here on Giants Country why it made more sense to franchise Barkley and not Jones. Given how things played out, I think I nailed the scenario, don't you think?

(From Jon S.) I am an everyday listener of your podcast. I have been a Giant fan for over 60 years.

My question is about the finances of these contracts. I assume there is an agent’s fee and a fee for financial management. I assume that if the player lives in New Jersey, the combined federal and state marginal tax rate is 44%.

That means for a $1 million contract, about a net of about $510,000. For $10 million, it’s about $5.1 million. If a high-paid player lives conservatively, he can save enough to invest so he and his family can live well after retiring without having to work.

Are these numbers realistic?

Jon, first, thank you for being an every-dayer. Appreciate you tuning in as often as you do!

I'm afraid I don't have an answer to your question as I'm not an accountant. I believe players have to pay income tax based on where they earn money. For example, a player who lives in Florida but plays in New Jersey has to pay income tax to New Jersey.

But regarding the other numbers you presented, I have no idea if they are realistic. You might want to see if Robert Raiola (@SportsTaxMan on Twitter), who is a sports accountant, can answer your question.

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