Giants roster getting bigger, literally, but it still has plenty of holes to fill

One word describes what the Giants did so far in free agency. Bigger. Time will tell if a second word — better — comes along with it.

The Giants prioritized adding more size and bulk. They got an upgrade at middle linebacker. Both are things that defined John Harbaugh’s Ravens teams and will form the identity of this Giants era.

It’ll satisfy a fan base that loves blue collar football. Whether it works or not will be seen this fall. But on paper, the moves were solid given their limited cap space.

Harbaugh brought in tight end Isaiah Likely and fullback Patrick Ricard from the Ravens. At 300 pounds, Ricard might as well be a sixth offensive lineman. Likely brings his 245-pound frame as a potential slot receiver as much as tight end.

But his chemistry with Lamar Jackson should excite Jaxson Dart for his growth in year two at quarterback.

“When I watched Dart a little bit during the year, I’ve definitely seen the connection that they had,” Likely said of Dart and his tight ends. “Just trying to help him create as [many] big plays as possible.

Tremaine Edmunds represents a good step up from Bobby Okereke at inside linebacker. He’s younger but also has experience to lead a room. With Micah McFadden back, there’s much to prove at that position after the outside linebackers took a step forward last season.

Greg Newsome II also solves a need at cornerback. Just in case fans didn’t get the message, he also stressed physical play is part of his game.

“My strong suit I think is playing press man coverage,” Newsome said. “That was something that we did in Cleveland all the time was playing man-to-man, getting in people's face and challenging guys.”

A toughness overhaul was what the Giants needed. So was revamping special teams and Harbaugh did that.

The Giants added a former All-Pro kicker in Jason Sanders and an All-Pro punter in Jordan Stout. Safety Elijah Campbell can be used as a gunner to replace Dane Belton, now with the Jets. Newly signed receiver Calvin Austin III can also be used in the return game.

If Sanders stays healthy after missing last season with a hip injury, he’s a younger, more reliable version of Graham Gano.

They also took a cheaper approach to fixing their receiver issue. Receivers Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III were added one-year deals after Wan’Dale Robinson left for the Titans.

Mooney, who agreed to his deal Saturday according to a league source, will sign a contract worth up to $10 million. He and Austin are both starting-caliber players so the Giants added depth without breaking the bank.

Yet there’s still a few holes to address. The Giants need upgrades on the interior offensive line. Sure, they could sign guard Greg Van Roten to a third, one-year deal but where is the younger depth behind him?

Re-signing Jermaine Eluemunor at right tackle was a great move. Not shoring up the interior between him and left tackle Andrew Thomas? Perplexing for a team that’ll be more run heavy.

They also need more depth at defensive tackle after last year’s pitiful run defense. Maybe that’s confidence in Roy Robertson-Harris after a solid first season last year or that Darius Alexander takes a leap in year two.

It’s intriguing that they focused on bigger players in free agency but could bargain shop fixing the interior on both sides of the ball. If this team takes a leap, that’s where the improvement needs to be and it’s not evident there, yet.

For now, the Giants succeeded in getting bigger and finding good help on cost-effective deals. Time will tell what else they do to ensure they got better with fixing their remaining needs.

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.