Landon Collins could end up being one of the top defensive players on the free-agent market next month, but it doesn't look like the New York Giants will let things get that far for their safety.
According to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com, the Giants will likely place a franchise tag on Collins, keeping him away from other teams and paying him $11 million for next season.
Collins has been one of the few bright spots on what has been a struggling New York club over the last few years, developing into one of the best defensive backs in the NFL.
This past season, Collins was limited to just 12 games due to a shoulder injury that required surgery, but over that time, he registered 96 tackles and a forced fumble en route to his third straight Pro Bowl selection.
The 25-year-old, who played his collegiate football at the University of Alabama, was originally selected by the Giants in the second round (33rd pick overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft.
He had an impressive rookie campaign, finishing with 108 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and nine passes defended, and the following year, Collins broke out, racking up 125 tackles, four sacks, five picks, a fumble recovery, 13 passes defended and a defensive touchdown, making a trip to Honolulu and earning First-Team All-Pro honors.
Collins then notched another Pro Bowl selection in 2017, totaling 99 stops, two interceptions, a couple of fumble recoveries and six passes defended.
The Giants are coming off of a 2018 campaign in which they won just five games. Since last winning the Super Bowl during the 2011-12 season, New York has made the playoffs just once.
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