The two giants and the jets made free agent splashes at the big receiver over the past week. We will now have to watch for the next few years to find out who has made the best decision.
The Giants signed Kenny Golladay for a four-year, $ 72 million contract with $ 40 million guaranteed Saturday. They picked up on the receiver most of the observers ranked as the best available in free agency. With $ 18 million a year, there are questions about whether they pay more, but if it helps develop quarterback Daniel Jones, no one will worry about the money in three years.
The Jets attacked quickly last Monday when the bargaining window opened, closing Corey Davis with a three-year, $ 37.5 million contract that includes $ 27 million guaranteed.
Both teams needed a wide receiver upgrade to help their young quarterbacks. This market was perfectly set up for them, as there were better receivers available than usual thanks to the decreasing wage cap. Even after Allen Robinson (Bears) and Chris Godwin (Buccaneers) received the franchise label, the Giants and Jets had good options.
Giants general manager Dave Gettleman decided to buy into Tiffany’s and sign the most expensive receiver on the market to give Jones a new No. 1 goal. The play carries some risk, because Golladay only played five games last season with the Giants. Lions and now he has the pressure to live up to his contract.
Jets general manager Joe Douglas thought Golladay was too expensive and instead turned to Davis. The Jets like his fit with his offense and believe he is entering his heyday. Davis was the No. 5 pick in the Titans ’2017 draft, so he has lived with pressure throughout his NFL career. The new contract will not be added to this. The Jets haven’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since 2015 and need someone to help whoever is their quarterback in 2021, be it Sam Darnold or Zach Wilson or anyone else.
Comparing the two receivers, Golladay has had more production, but his 2020 season raises some questions. Golladay has had two 1,000-yard reception seasons and has 21 professional touchdowns. His best season was 2019, when he had 65 catches for 1,190 yards and 11 touchdowns. A hip injury kept Golladay out of the game for all but five games last year and there were some questions about the intensity he tried to get back on the field. Clearly, the giants got satisfactory answers about these issues during their visit.
Davis was considered a disappointment in Tennessee after being selected so high in the draft and then fighting soon. Davis only has 11 professional touchdowns. Golladay did it in one season. But Davis had his best season last year. He took 65 passes for 984 yards and five touchdowns. The main question about Davis is how he will do it outside of Tennessee’s talented offense. He received passes from Ryan Tannehill, who has become one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. The Titans also had AJ Brown on the opposite side of Davis and Derrick Henry on the backfield to give them a strong career play and help set up game passes.
If we look at the Pro Football Focus ratings of the last three seasons, Davis had the better season of the two. Its rating of 85.3 in 2020 ranked 10th out of 127 wide receivers. Golladay had a grade of 81.0 in 2018, which was the 21st of 118 recipients. Golladay had a 79.9 mark in 2019 and did not qualify in 2020. Davis had a 70.4 mark in 2019 and 76.4 in 2018.
We will probably have a good answer in two years on which signing was better. Davis ’contract has no guaranteed money beyond 2022, so the Jets can move on if he disappoints. Golladay’s contract is more than a three-year commitment as to when the Giants could move forward comfortably.
The Giants made a much bigger financial commitment than the Jets. Not only in terms of guaranteed money ($ 40 million versus $ 27 million), but also in average annual value. Golladay’s $ 18 million a year equals sixth place among recipients. Davis ’$ 12.5 million is the 20th.
Both teams believe they improved the receiver last week. Now we will see if they are right and who has made the best decision.