It's official. The New York Giants lost safety and team captain Antrel Rolle to the Chicago Bears after the veteran signed a three-year, $11.25 million contract on Wednesday. With safeties Stevie Brown and Quintin Demps also on the open market, how will the Giants address their latest need?
New York has the No. 9 overall pick in the draft and could select Alabama safety Landon Collins, but that would perhaps be a reach, especially when the team has voids on the offensive and defensive lines. General Manager Jerry Reese already tried to make a push for Devin McCourty, but the veteran re-signed with the New England Patriots.
There is still one player on the market that interests the Giants.
According to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, former Kansas City Chiefs safety Ron Parker could be the team's next target. It was said New York also has interest in former Denver Broncos safety Rahim Moore, but considering his age (25) and experience (started 48 games over the past four seasons), he's like to command a larger contract. On the other hand, Parker is 27 and became a full-time starter in 2014 after fellow safety Eric Berry was diagnosed with lymphoma.
"Five years and five days ago, the Giants made Antrel Rolle the highest-paid safety in NFL history and general manager Jerry Reese, not balking at the costly addition, described Rolle as 'a young, ascending, veteran player,'" writes Schwartz. "Five years and five days later, the Giants are looking for the same thing all over again: A young, ascending, veteran player, this time very likely to replace Rolle as a starting safety."
"That search could lead them to Ron Parker, who in some ways is eerily similar to the 2010 Antrel Rolle ... Both are 6-foot and 206 pounds. Rolle was 27 when he came to the Giants; Parker is 27."
In 16 games with Kansas City (11 starts at safety and four at cornerback) last year, Parker racked up 94 tackles, 12 passes defended, one sack, one interception and one forced fumble. His 84 solo tackles led the team and his 12 passes defended were good for second, with both numbers leading the pack among free-agent safeties this offseason. The Chiefs signed safety Tyvon Branch on Tuesday, which at least gives the Giants less competition if they're seriously considering Parker.
However, it was reported the Dolphins, Cowboys, Redskins, Jets, Eagles Colts, Texans, Raiders and Jaguars are looking for help at the safety position, and with McCourty, Branch, Rolle, Da'Norris Searcy and Mike Adams having already signed, Parker could be the next in line to land a deal.