The Giants and the Jets both splashed a free agent against a wide receiver last week. Now we have to watch for the next few years who made the better decision.
The Giants signed Kenny Golladay to a four-year, $ 72 million, $ 40 million contract on Saturday. They grab the recipient that most observers consider the best available in free agencies. At $ 18 million a year, there are questions about whether it is being overpaid, but if it helps develop quarterback Daniel Jones, no one will worry about the money in three years.
The Jets struck quickly last Monday when the negotiation window opened and Corey Davis closed with a three-year, $ 37.5 million contract, which guaranteed $ 27 million.
Both teams needed an upgrade at the wide receiver to help their young backs. This market was perfect for them because there were more good recipients available than usual due to the declining salary limit. Even after Allen Robinson (Bears) and Chris Godwin (Buccaneers) got the franchise label, the Giants and Jets had good options.
Giants general manager Dave Gettleman has decided to buy from Tiffany’s and sign the most expensive receiver on the market to give Jones a new No. 1 target. The move involves some risk because Golladay only played five games for the Lions last season and now has the pressure to keep his contract.
Joe Douglas, general manager of the Jets, considered Golladay too expensive and instead targeted Davis. The Jets like his adaptation to their offense and think he’s going to enter his best time. Davis was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2017 draft by the Titans, and so he lived his entire NFL career under pressure. The new contract will not contribute to that. The Jets have not had a 1000 receiver since 2015 and need someone to help whoever has their quarterback in 2021, whether it’s Sam Darnold or Zach Wilson or someone else.
If we compare the two receivers, Golladay had more production, but its 2020 season raises questions. Golladay had two reception seasons of 1,000 yards and had 21 career attacks. His best season was 2019 when he had 65 catches for 1,190 yards and 11 touchdowns. A hip injury kept Golladay sidelined for all but five games last year, and there were some questions about how hard he tried to return to the field. It is clear that the Giants received satisfactory answers to these issues during his visit.
Davis is considered a disappointment in Tennessee after being selected so highly in the draft and then struggling early. Davis has only 11 careers. Golladay did it in one season. But Davis had his best season last year. He got 65 passes for 984 yards and five touchdowns. The most important question about Davis is how he will fare outside of the talented Tennessee offense. He gets passes from Ryan Tannehill, who has become one of the better backs in the NFL. The Titans also had AJ Brown across from Davis and Derrick Henry in the backfield to give them a strong running game and help set up playoffs.
If you look at Pro Football Focus grades from the past three seasons, Davis has had the best season of the two. His 2020 grade 85.3 ranks 10th out of 127 wide receivers. Golladay achieved an 81.0 degree in 2018, which was 21st out of 118 recipients. Golladay achieved a 79.9 degree in 2019 and will not qualify in 2020. Davis earned a 70.4 degree in 2019 and 76.4 in 2018.
We will probably have a good answer within two years as to which signature was better. Davis’ contract has no guaranteed money after 2022, so the Jets could move on if he disappoints. Golladay’s contract is more of a three-year commitment in terms of when the Giants can move on comfortably.
The Giants have made a much bigger financial commitment than the Jets. Not just in terms of guaranteed money – $ 40 million versus $ 27 million – but also in average annual value. Golladay’s AAV of $ 18 million a year is for sixth place among recipients. Davis’ $ 12.5 million is 20th.
Both teams believe they have become better as a receiver over the past week. Now we’ll see if it’s right and who made the best decision.