New York Giants: 5 Top Players The Giants Should Release

The Giants will have another important off season in hopes of returning to the playoffs; which has eluded them since winning the Super Bowl in 2011. One of their 1^st orders of business should be to decide which players need to be released.  I have compiled my top 5 players who the Giants need to move on from if they intend to get younger and most importantly; better.

1. Matthias Kiwanuka (DE):  Kiwanuka is scheduled to make $7,450M in 2015. If the Giants release him, he will only cost them $2,625M of dead money; which is a savings of $4,825M towards the cap. Kiwanuka has declined over the years as his production indicates. This should be a no-brainer for the Giants.

1. Jayron Hosley (CB): Hosley has been a major disappointment ever since the Giants drafted him. Hosley is scheduled to make $796,250 in 2015, however; by releasing him the Giants will only be responsible for $128,750 of dead money; which is a savings towards the cap of $667,500.

1. Peyton Hillis (RB): The Giants brought Hillis back in 2014 as insurance at a very low price.  Unfortunately; it hasn’t worked out for Hillis or the Giants. By releasing him the Giants will have no dead money and a savings of $945K

1. Jon Beason (MLB): The Giants found a diamond in the rough during the 2013 season when they acquired Jon Beason from the Carolina Panthers for a 7^th round pick. Beason played outstanding for the remaining 2013 season; which led to the Giants signing Beason to a multi- year contact before the start of the 2014 season. Unfortunately; Beason has been plagued with injuries and is out for the 2014 season. The Giants must make a harsh decision on Beason as his durability may not be able to handle the week to week demands to play MLB. Beason is scheduled to make $7,366,666 in 2015; releasing him would only cost the Giants $2,366,666 of dead money and a savings of $5M.

1. Cullen Jenkins (DT): Jenkins has played well for the Giants in 2013. However; his production has slipped in 2014. Scheduled to make $2,916,668 in 2015, the Giants would only be responsible for $666,668 of dead money; which would save them $2,250M.

The Giants will have a lot of flexibility of reloading their roster as this is just one of many decisions the Giants need to make moving forward. Also they must decide on whether or not to re-sign players such as Antrel Rolle and Jason Pierre Paul. In all likelihood; GM Jerry Reese and Head Coach Tom Coughlin will be retained, however;  the same may not be said for Defense Coordinator Perry Fewell and Specials team coach Tom Quinn.  Once that decision is made, the Giants will have a better idea of the type of players to bring into the fold. The Giants could finish with selections in the top 10 in each round. If that’s the case, GM Jerry Reese could very well improve the Giants current roster.