New York Giants

New York Giants: Pros And Cons of Brandon Marshall Signing

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:07 p.m. ET

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Sep 13, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Here are the pros and cons of the New York Giants reportedly signing free agent wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

According to Adam Schefter, the New York Giants will sign former New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall to a two-year contract worth approximately $12 million. The New York Jets saved around $7.5 million by releasing Marshall on March 3.

Overall, the reactions and responses to the Giants signing Marshall have been positive. That is, if you're a Giants fan. On the other hand, Philadelphia Eagles fans have panicked. Philly's secondary contained New York's wideouts in their pre-Christmas matchup in December 2016, but the prevailing opinion is that Victor Cruz held the Giants passing attack back and big-bodied Brandon Marshall won't.

It's been said that teams can't buy championships and seasons aren't won through big expenditures in the free agent market. However, the offseason moves made by the Giants in 2016 were proof positive that expensive free agents can make a difference.

The 2015 Giants defense was downright disgraceful. With free agent additions Olivier Vernon, Janoris Jenkins, and Damon Harrison, the 2016 Giants were second in the league in points allowed per game. Could recently signed Brandon Marshall be the difference for the Giants in 2017? While the 2016 Giants defense thrived, the offense struggled. The reasons why have been a point of contention. Questions abound and the answers have been hotly contested.

Coach Ben McAdoo has vaguely addressed what needs to be done, stating that unit just needs to get better. Is the offensive line to blame for not protecting Eli Manning? Is that group limiting the running game? Is Eli Manning holding the offense back?

The Brandon Marshall signing addresses at least one of the many issues facing the Giants offense. Here are the pros and cons of Big Blue's first big name signing of the 2017 NFL free agency period.

PRO: Big Body Red Zone Target

The Giants have struggled immensely on third downs and in the red zone. One could argue that Big Blue was hampered by having three similarly built wideouts canceling each other out, instead of complementing one another.

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Odell Beckham, Sterling Shepard, and Victor Cruz are all considered slot receivers. Shepard excelled in the slot. When the Giants needed to break Beckham free of coverage, they moved him through the slot. Cruz had a few big plays working on the outside, but couldn't consistently get open or separate. Regardless of Cruz's inefficiencies, though, it's clear that the Giants need more diversity in their receiving corps and Marshall offers them just that.

At 6-4 and 229 pounds, Brandon Marshall has the physicality to dominate smaller corners and the ability to turn "50/50" balls in his favor. In other words, Manning can R-E-L-A-X. He can feel more comfortable throwing the ball up and knowing that Marshall will come down with it more times than not. When Manning develops a heightened comfort level (read: a security blanket), the offense excels. That's what Marshall should first and foremost bring to the table.

CON: Chemistry With Eli Manning, Locker Room

The older, wiser Brandon Marshall hasn't been the reported headache he was earlier in his career. His prior relationships with quarterbacks have been tumultuous at best, however. One minute, he spoke highly of his signal caller, but the next he'd throw out a controversial or questionable comment.

When it comes to surveying Brandon Marshall, it's been a tough read. He's demonstrated that he can be a strong on-camera talent, a statesman, and an ardent supporter. Yet, many have called him "outspoken." Marshall's often forceful nature has been polarizing.

How will the Giants locker room respond? Will the environment become combative? Corrosive? Or will the clubhouse rally behind Marshall's big personality?

Even more important, is the relationship between Brandon Marshall and Eli Manning. How will Manning respond to Marshall's brash behavior? Manning has played with bigger-than-life personas like Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey. Can he wrangle the in-huddle squabbling for the ball?

Jan 1, 2017; Landover, MD, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) stands on the field prior to the Giants' game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. The Giants won 19-10. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

PRO: Veteran Mentorship To Odell Beckham

Odell Beckham is the most talented player on the Giants roster, but he won't be 25 years old until the first week of November. His growth and maturity have inhibited and limited the Giants. Beckham's antics have distracted the Giants and caused concern among the organization. Fortunately, Beckham's tremendous play on the field has offset the friction from his temperament.

Brandon Marshall was widely considered a "problem child" in the first half of his career. He's worked through (most of) his issues and can impart his wisdom unto Beckham. Face it, Eli Manning has a very tenuous grasp on Beckham. Cameras have captured Manning speaking with Beckham, but one gets the sense Eli's words weren't getting through.

Defensive captain Jonathan Casillas became a leader last season. Many believed Victor Cruz could assume the role of veteran leader on offense, but his lack of touches might've frayed his reputation and respect. As amazing as Eli Manning has been, he's better known as a leader by example, rather than a motivational speaker. There's a gigantic opportunity for Marshall to be that man on offense.

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

CON: Salary Cap Hit Hinders Offensive Line

As much as signing Brandon Marshall makes sense, it also hurts the Giants' chances of acquiring help along the offensive line. Per Adam Schefter, the early details of the agreement are two years, $12 million. No specifics yet about the guaranteed money or dead cap value. Regardless, the number could be as high as $6 million per year.

Prior to the signing, the Giants had around $12 million in available salary cap space. After Marshall put pen to paper, the Giants are now left with approximately $6 million. Of course, the team could still free up some breathing room if they release J.T. Thomas (~$3 million) and Shane Vereen (~$5 million).

The top potential free agent targets who'll have the biggest impact on the Giants offensive line could command at least $6 million per year and, realistically, more than $8 million annually. While Marshall presents an upgrade at the wide receiver position, the Giants won't be able to reap the rewards if Eli Manning's pocket crumbles.

Seeing as the 2017 NFL Draft offers very little in the way of a starting offensive tackle, the Giants might have to settle on a mid-tier free agent lineman and trade up to get either Wisconsin Badgers tackle Ryan Ramczyk, Utah Utes' Garrett Bolles, or Alabama's Cam Robinson.