2025 New York Giants free agency: Experts, insiders offer mixed grades

The New York Giants made a multitude of signings over the first week of free agency, addressing needs along the offensive and defensive lines, improving the secondary, and bringing wide receiver Darius Slayton home to East Rutherford. They also added much-needed depth at several positions.

But many issues went unaddressed. The Giants are still without a veteran quarterback, are playing a dangerous game at right guard, and need to bolster several other areas of the team.

As a result, their first wave of free agency was met with some skepticism. Analysts and insiders from across the league have seen the value in many of their signings, but are also aware of the gaping holes left on the roster.

Here's a quick snapshot of the Giants' free agency grades after the first week.

USA TODAY: B-

The Giants spent most of their early free agent resources on their secondary. They signed cornerback Paulson Adebo and safety Jevon Holland to three-year deals worth a combined $99.3 million. Adebo and Holland are both just 25 years old, so New York in banking on the duo continuing to grow into a dynamic, playmaking tandem.
Some will question why the Giants were willing to pay Holland $15 million in AAV but not Xavier McKinney $16.75 million in 2024. Nonetheless, the Giants' secondary is improved, and so is their trench depth after agreeing to deals with Chauncey Golston and Roy Robertson-Harris on the defensive line and backup offensive tackles in James Hudson and Stone Forsythe.

Pro Football Focus: B

The Giants can now pair Holland with Tyler Nubin, their second-round pick from last year. While Holland didn’t enter free agency on a high note, finishing with a 63.0 overall grade in 2024, he posted elite coverage grades in 2021 and 2023. The Giants are betting on him returning to that form within their young secondary.

Yahoo! Sports: D

The secondary got some help, but it's a reminder that they let 2024 All-Pro Xavier McKinney walk. And there's still the quarterback problem.

CBS Sports: C+

The Giants clearly need impact players across the roster, but especially in the secondary after generating the fifth-fewest takeaways (15) last season. So, credit to them for landing Paulson Adebo, who will be just 26 at the start of next season, and has 10 interceptions over his first four seasons in the league. New York also scored arguably the best safety in this free agency class in Holland, who is a super versatile defensive back that will make an immediate impact. These wins don't do enough to make up for the fact that the Giants still don't have a quarterback, though.

Pro Football Network: B+

The New York Giants have actively addressed the defensive side of the ball in free agency so far. The unit struggled in 2024, and they needed to get better across the board. Paulson Adebo and Jevon Holland give them young high-upside defensive backs who should start in 2025. Roy Robertson-Harris should be a decent rotational piece for a run defense that was porous last season.
Bringing back Darius Slayton was somewhat unexpected — not because the Giants shouldn’t want him but because he could’ve easily wanted out of a rough offensive situation. The future at quarterback is uncertain, but Slayton decided to return. The Giants also got him back on a good deal. New York still has a lot of work to do, but they’re off to a decent start.

The Sporting News: B-

They have the same refrain as the Steelers — what will they be doing at quarterback to bring this team together? Holland and Golston were great defensive additions, and Slayton was a reasonable re-sign to keep with Malik Nabers.

This article will be updated as more grades and analysis are made available.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: 2025 Giants free agency: Experts, insiders offer mixed grades

Topics

2025 Tennessee Titans free agency: Experts, insiders offer mixed grades

The Tennessee Titans are a week into the 2025 free agency period and have made some interesting moves that have been met with some mixed reviews.
Yahoo Sports - 3h
New York Giants agree to terms with linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles

The New York Giants bolstered their special teams on Friday, adding former 49ers LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles via free agency.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Steelers fans may be surprised over PFF's recent free agency grades

PFF recently released their grades for the 2025 free agency signings. The Steelers were given a generous grade.
Yahoo Sports - 8h
New York Giants host QB Joe Flacco on free agent visit

The New York Giants hosted veteran quarterback Joe Flacco in East Rutherford on Thursday for a free agent visit.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
NFL insider: 'Zero chance' Cam Ward falls to No. 3 in 2025 NFL draft

One NFL insider says there is "zero chance" QB Cam Ward falls to the New York Giants at No. 3 overall in the 2025 NFL draft.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Grading Patriots’ first wave of 2025 free agent signings

Grading the first wave of the New England Patriots' 2025 NFL free agent signings.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
2025 NFL free agency: Russell Wilson reportedly set to meet with Browns, Giants

Russell Wilson would be a solid option for either the Browns or the Giants, who desperately need a new starting quarterback.
Yahoo Sports - 3d
NFL Free Agency Fallout: What's Aaron Rodgers next move? Is Russ done cooking? | Inside Coverage

The Inside Coverage crew is taking a look at the all of the biggest news after day one of free agency.
Yahoo Sports - 4d
Aaron Rodgers rumors: Giants offering the biggest contract? Steelers still favorites? Vikings in the mix?

The latest buzz on the free agent quarterback
CBS Sports - 2d
QB1 & only: Giants ink DeVito, lone QB on roster

The Giants have re-signed quarterback Tommy DeVito to a one-year, $1 million deal. DeVito is the only quarterback on New York's roster, with the team expected to add a veteran in free agency.
ESPN - Mar. 8
Arizona Cardinals given a 'B' in early NFL free agency grades

The Cardinals have made some moves. This publication gives them good but not great marks in free agency grades.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
New York Giants signing DT Jeremiah Ledbetter

The New York Giants are signing DT Jeremiah Ledbetter to a one-year deal worth $1.775 million with incentives that can stretch the deal to $2 million.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Grading the Arizona Cardinals' most recent free agent moves

After grading the Cardinals' initial moves in free agency, we have more grades, looking at the rest of the moves they have made.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Inside Google’s Investment in Anthropic

The internet giant owns 14% of the high-profile artificial intelligence company, according to legal filings obtained by The New York Times.
The New York Times - 4d
2025 NFL free agency: Eagles sign former Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson, per report

A new face for Philly's secondary
CBS Sports - 2d
Philadelphia Eagles signing ex-New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson

The Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to terms with former New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
New York Giants re-signing offensive lineman Aaron Stinnie

The New York Giants have agreed to terms with OL Aaron Stinnie, who will return to East Rutherford for a second season.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Report: New York Giants growing 'frustrated' with QB Aaron Rodgers

The New York Giants were trying to be patient with veteran QB Aaron Rodgers but are now reportedly growing "frustrated" with his indecision.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
New York Giants' Chauncey Golston has no position preference: 'Prefer to be on the field'

Chauncey Golston doesn't care what role the New York Giants have in store for him so long as he's on the field.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Philadelphia Eagles sign ex-New York Giants LB Patrick Johnson

The Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to terms with former New York Giants linebacker Patrick Johnson.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
NFL analyst: New York Giants are 'a quarterback away' from competing

One NFL analyst believes the New York Giants are just a quarterback away from becoming serious playoff contenders.
Yahoo Sports - 6h
2025 NFL free agency Day 2 grades: Falcons get 'A+' for Leonard Floyd deal, Bills get 'C' for adding Joey Bosa

Which teams are doing the best out of the gate in free agency?
CBS Sports - 4d
Colts NFL free agency: What grades did Indianapolis get for their signings?

What grades did NFL analysts give the Indianapolis Colts for their free agent signings?
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Jaguars free agency: What grades did Jacksonville get for their signings?

What grades did NFL analysts give the Jacksonville Jaguars for their nine free agent signings?
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Free Agency Grades: Darnold to Seattle, Fields to the Jets, Adams to LA! | Football 301

Nate Tice and Matt Harmon break down free agency's biggest moves and give grades for each signing.
Yahoo Sports - 5d
Brandin Echols departs New York Jets during 2025 NFL free agency

A former Jets draft pick departs the team:
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Pat Shurmur: New York Giants nearly drafted Josh Allen in 2018

Former New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur admits the team nearly selected QB Josh Allen in the 2018 NFL draft.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
T-Pain hilariously vows to turn New York Giants franchise around

The New York Giants' newly signed OL James Hudson has an uncanny resemblance to T-Pain, who capitalized on their similarities with a hilarious tweet.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Paulson Adebo contract: Details on free agency deal the New Orleans Saints could not match

Details have emerged on Paulson Adebo's Giants contract. Here's the scoop on a deal the Saints could not match in free agency.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
2025 NFL free agency team-by-team grades: Vikings, Patriots, Commanders among top marks after first few days

Here's how each team has fared through three days of free agency
CBS Sports - 3d
NFL free agency grades: Bears, Broncos, Vikings impress in first wave, Texans confound

Plenty of NFL teams have made significant upgrades in the early stages of free agency. Here's a look at the best- and worst-graded teams.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
2025 NFL free agency Day 4 grades: Chiefs get 'A' for adding Patrick Mahomes' new backup, plus other moves

Which of the latest moves are moving the needle?
CBS Sports - 2d
Cardinals free agency grades, reactions, recaps

Jess Root and Seth Cox react to the Cardinals' moves in free agency in the latest edition of the podcast.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Giants host this veteran QB before meeting with Russell Wilson; team still waiting on Aaron Rodgers decision

New York is exhausting all free agent options
CBS Sports - 2d
New York Giants' James Hudson likens his job as swing tackle to an MLB closer

New York Giants OT James Hudson has a unique perspective on his role as a swing tackle.
Yahoo Sports - 4h
Saints get mediocre free agent grade for bringing back IOL Will Clapp after three seasons

The Saints didn't get any applause for signing Will Clapp, at least not in Bleacher Reports' NFL free agency grades.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Russell Wilson visits Giants but leaves New York without a contract, per report

The 10-time Pro Bowler is still a free agent
CBS Sports - 1d
NFL free agency: Isaiah Oliver returns to the New York Jets

Oliver is back in the fold:
Yahoo Sports - 1d
NFL free agency: Kene Nwangwu returning to the New York Jets

The playmaker returns:
Yahoo Sports - 22h

More from Yahoo Sports

Nets vs. Hawks betting preview: Prediction, point spread, odds

Here is the betting preview of the Brooklyn Nets' matchup against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.
Yahoo Sports - 18m
Running back Ronnie Rivers, defensive lineman Larrell Murchison returning to Rams on 1-year deals

Running back Ronnie Rivers and defensive lineman Larrell Murchison have agreed to one-year contracts to return to the Los Angeles Rams, the team announced Sunday. Rivers has played in 34 games ...
Yahoo Sports - 18m
UFC Fight Night 254 video: Every finish from Las Vegas, including multiple history-makers

UFC Fight Night 254 on Saturday was one of the most unheralded events of the year so far going in. There are metrics that are easy to see publicly, and ones that are behind the scenes, that made ...
Yahoo Sports - 19m
Arsenal squeeze past Chelsea’s £220m midfield of malice in bad-tempered derby

There were times when this felt more like a fouling contest than a football match. A day for petty squabbling rather than pretty passing. In the end, then, it was probably fair that the team that ...
Yahoo Sports - 19m
Matt Richtman is 1st American man to win Los Angeles Marathon in 31 years

Yahoo Sports - 20m