Giants Offering Hankins Multiyear Deal
It appears the Giants have a legitimate shot to re-sign free agent defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, and if it happens, it’s unlikely he’ll have to settle for a “prove-it” deal. The Giants have a multiyear offer on the table for Hankins, reports the NFL Network’s Kimberly Jones, who adds that the proposal “stacks up well in this free agent market.” New York has had a “solid offer” on the table “for weeks,” though Hankins is holding out for a far richer contract, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com adds (Twitter links).
While it’s obvious Hankins’ goal is a sizable payday, it could be difficult to come by for a player who has only drawn reported interest from one other team, the Dolphins. And unfortunately for Hankins, Miami doesn’t seem particularly gung-ho on the 25-year-old, as it’s only searching for a rotational defensive tackle to play with Ndamukong Suh and Jordan Phillips. On the other hand, Hankins has been a full-time starter in New York since 2014, his second season in the league.
By retaining Hankins, which Jones expects to happen, the Giants would return all 11 defensive starters from last year, she notes. That would be an auspicious development for a team whose defense topped the NFC in DVOA and finished second overall in the league, trailing only the Broncos’ all-world stop unit.
It’s debatable how much of an impact Hankins made last year, as he didn’t post mind-blowing traditional stats (43 tackles and three sacks), nor did he impress Pro Football Focus or some around the NFL. Nevertheless, Giants owner John Mara made it clear Sunday that the team would like to re-sign Hankins if it’s financially feasible.
“We certainly want him back but it’s got to make sense for us,” Mara told Tom Rock of Newsday. “He’s an important part of our team, he’s a great kid, he’s young and he fits in very well with us. So we hope to have him back.”
The Giants have upward of $12MM in spending space remaining, Raanan reported Thursday, which puts them toward the bottom of the league.
John Mara: Giants Want To Re-Sign Johnathan Hankins
- There’s reportedly a “good shot” the Giants will re-sign free agent defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, who has encountered a surprisingly tepid market for his services, and owner John Mara revealed Sunday that they do want to keep him. However, Big Blue would like to do so “without being irresponsible,” he told Tom Rock of Newsday. At this stage, it’s highly doubtful anyone will sign Hankins to an onerous contract, which could work in the Giants’ favor. Mara went on to call Hankins “an important part of our team” and “a great kid,” further fueling the possibility that the two sides will reach an agreement.
Latest On Johnathan Hankins
While free agent defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins is still searching for a long-term deal on the open market, “optimism has increased” among Giants players who believe Hankins will ultimately re-sign with New York, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. Indeed, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post suggest there’s a “good shot” Hankins agrees to a new deal with the Giants.
[RELATED: Shane Vereen Accepts Paycut]
Hankins, 24, is the best free agent still left on the board — he’s one of only five of PFR’s Top 50 Free Agents left unsigned, and he also ranks as PFR’s best free agent interior defender. Despite that fact, Hankins’ market has been slow to evolve, as the Dolphins are the only external club known to have been in communication with the defensive tackle. Miami, however, is only looking for a rotational lineman to play alongside Ndamukong Suh and Jordan Phillips.
The Giants, meanwhile, are open to re-upping Hankins, but only at their price, which is rumored to be around $4MM. Hankins, however, is hoping to land a deal in the $10MM range. Big Blue is reportedly pushing for a quick answer from Hankins, who may want to keep hunting for a better offer. Much of the league views Hankins as a two-down player, though, meaning a superior proposal may not exist.
Johnathan Hankins Viewed As Two-Down Player?
- Most teams around the league view Giants free agent Johnathan Hankins as primarily being a two-down player, Mike Jones of the Washington Post tweets. That could explain why his own evaluation has been so far off from what the market has been willing to offer him so far. The Dolphins have reached out to Hankins but it’s not clear if they can land him given their budgetary constraints. By the same token, no team seems to be throwing around big money to sign Hankins. He may need to go the Dontari Poe route and accept a one-year deal, but it might come at a lower salary.
Giants’ Shane Vereen Takes Pay Cut
Giants running back Shane Vereen has agreed to restructure his contract, reports Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. Previously scheduled to earn a $3.15MM base salary next season, Vereen will now collect $2.15MM, though he could get back the lost $1MM (and make another $250K) in incentives. Regardless, the move will save the Giants $843,750 in cap space.
The 2017 campaign will be the third with the Giants for Vereen, a pass-catching back who signed with Big Blue before the 2015 season and hauled in 59 receptions that year. Vereen, to whom New York paid a $500K roster bonus earlier this month, missed the majority of last season after tearing a triceps muscle on two separate occasions. In five games, he put up 252 total yards (158 rushing, 94 receiving) and a touchdown. As of now, the 28-year-old is the most established member of a largely unproven backfield which also includes Paul Perkins.
Vereen is the second Giant to restructure his contract this week, joining wide receiver/kick returner Dwayne Harris.The extra spending space could help Big Blue re-sign defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, posits Raanan. Hankins, who surprisingly hasn’t encountered a robust market, ranks as PFR’s best unsigned interior D-lineman.
Giants To Meet With Garett Bolles
- The Giants will meet with Utah offensive tackle Garett Bolles in April, according to Dan Duggan of NJ.com (Twitter link). New York isn’t sold on keeping 2015 first-round pick Ereck Flowers at left tackle, and Bolles could give the club another option along its front five. Bolles is expected to be selected on Day 1 of the draft, and has a chance to be the first offensive lineman off the board.
Details On Geno Smith's Deal
- Geno Smith, QB (Giants): One year, $775K base. $25K workout bonus. $800K in play time incentives. $12.5K per-game roster bonuses. Max value of $2MM. (Twitter link via Field Yates of ESPN.com).
Keenan Robinson, Dwayne Harris Contract Details
- Dwayne Harris, WR (Giants): Restructure. Salary reduced to $2.475MM. $1.1MM guaranteed. $600KK available via incentives by averaging 10+ yards per punt return (link via Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com).
- Keenan Robinson, LB (Giants): One year, max value of $4MM (Twitter link via Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News).
Giants’ Dwayne Harris Takes Pay Cut
Giants wide receiver/kick returner Dwayne Harris had his contract restructured, according to NFLPA records obtained by ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan. The Giants were reportedly thinking about cutting Harris if he did not agree to a pay cut. 
Harris had three years left on his contract and was due a $2.975MM base salary plus a $25K workout bonus this year. Now, he’ll have a more modest base salary of $2.475MM for 2017, giving the Giants $500K in savings. This was the logical outcome for both parties since a release would have saved the G-Men just $1.4MM against the cap with $2.4MM left in dead money.
Last year, Harris returned 29 punts for 170 yards (5.9 average) and took back 22 kickoffs for 533 yards (24.2 average), leading to his first career Pro Bowl nod. He’ll turn 30 in September.
Giants To Sign RB Shaun Draughn
The Giants have agreed to a deal with running back Shaun Draughn, agent Sean Stellato tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Terms of the deal are not yet known. Last year, Draughn re-upped with the 49ers on an inexpensive one-year deal. 
Draughn, 29, appeared in all 16 games for the Niners last year, mainly in a reserve role. He ran for 196 yards off of 74 carries and found the end zone four times. He also added 29 catches for 263 yards and two touchdowns.
The Giants are currently slated to start rising sophomore Paul Perkins with Shane Vereen, Orleans Darkwa, and George Winn in support. The G-Men have been expected to explore running back upgrades and the Draughn signing probably won’t stop them from continuing that search. This year’s draft has a number of talented running backs (especially at the top) and there are a handful of big name backs left in free agency, including Adrian Peterson, LeGarrette Blount, and Jamaal Charles.
Draughn’s defection will leave the 49ers searching for a new reserve to put behind starter Carlos Hyde. The Niners recently had Tim Hightower in for a visit and he could be a candidate for the role. Mike Davis and Raheem Mostert are also under contract.
The Giants are now slated to be the seventh NFL team of Draughn’s career. In addition to the Niners, the running back has previously suited up for the Chiefs, Ravens, Chargers, Browns, and Bears.