The first step in the free agency process for any NFL team is deciding which of its own free agents to try to retain and
which to let go to the open market. In order to determine which of the 25 New York Giants unrestricted free agents
the organization should attempt to retain, let’s start by examining them.
A’Shawn Robinson, the defensive tackle, is up first.
Motives for maintaining Robinson
Robinson was signed to a $5 million, one-year contract with a $2.1 million void year in 2024 in order to bolster the
defensive line’s seasoned depth and run defense.
The Giants as a unit did not fully succeed in improving their run defense in 2023. 2022: The Giants allowed 5.3 yards
per rush attempt, which ranked them 31st in the NFL. Despite an improvement of 4.7 yards per rushing attempt
allowed in 2023, they remained 31st in the NFL.
:format(jpeg)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48508707/usa-today-9029636.0.jpg)
Still, Robinson performed admirably for the Giants. Robinson played more than he might have anticipated due to the
midseason trade of Leonard Williams and the late-season hamstring ailment to Dexter Lawrence. Thirteen of his
seventeen games were starts by him. 515 defensive snaps (45.6%) were played by him.
With 62 tackles in the end, Robinson had the second-highest total of his career. 34 solo tackles was a career high for
him. In addition, he reached a career-high of six tackles for loss. His 36 stops were also the second-highest total of
his career, according to Pro Football Focus.
Nine times in the Giants’ previous 11 games, Robinson participated in more than 40% of the team’s defensive snaps.
Robinson, who turns 29 the following season, ought to be able to continue playing at a respectable level for some
time. The Giants should not be in the business of letting talented players leave if they can avoid it; instead, they
should keep developing along both fronts. Robinson is a capable player who can serve a number of purposes.
