New York Giants surprising favorites to sign Pro Bowler in free agency | Sporting News

With many questions surrounding the roster, the New York Giants could look to make a significant move in free agency ahead of training camp.

One of the biggest concerns on the roster comes at the safety position. Though the Giants used a second-round pick on Tyler Nubin, the rest of the safety room is likely playing on borrowed time in the NFL.

With some newfound salary-cap space following the retirement of tight end Darren Waller, the Giants technically have the means to make one final addition to the secondary.

How feasible that move would be is another question entirely, but the Giants are currently the favorites (+400) to sign former Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons, according to BetOnline.

Other teams listed behind the Giants include the Philadelphia Eagles (+600), Buffalo Bills (+800) and San Francisco 49ers (+900).

Simmons is a two-time Pro Bowl safety and is coming off a 2023 season in which he earned the honor.  He was released by the Broncos this offseason due to cap constraints.

The safety market in free agency has been pretty depleted so it makes sense that Simmons has exercised patience, but the time is coming with training camp arriving in two weeks.

Simmons would be an ideal fit for the Giants to work alongside Nubin. Even if for one season, Simmons could fill the role currently held by Jason Pinnock, who would be a fantastic No. 3 safety.

Making it work financially would be difficult for the Giants, though. Over The Cap estimates the Giants have roughly $11.5 million in cap space, the 10th-fewest in the NFL.

The extension Simmons signed in 2021 included an average annual value of $15.2 million. He’s likely not getting that, but the top-13 safeties in the NFL all have double-digit AAV.

It would be a fun addition to Shane Bowen’s defense, but it’s unlikely a move that will be made before training camp unless Simmons’ price drops dramatically.