Giants 2024 UFA Primer: P Jamie Gillan

Can the New York Giants get the same or better production from their punter for less than what it might cost to retain Jamie Gillan?
Oct 15, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New York Giants punter Jamie Gillan (6) punts the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Highmark Stadium.
Oct 15, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New York Giants punter Jamie Gillan (6) punts the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Highmark Stadium. / Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
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The New York Giants punter situation has been fairly stable the last few years, if inconsistent in terms of production. So, would that be enough for the Giants to move on from Jamie Gillian this offseason?


Jamie Gillan, Punter

Height: 6-1
Weight: 207 lbs
Age: 27
NFL Exp.: 6 Years
College: Arkansas-Pine Bluff


Jamie Gillan
East Rutherford, NJ -- August 24, 2024 -- Jamie Gillan of the Giants before the game. The New York Giants and New York Jets meet at MetLife Stadium in the final preseason game of the 2024 season for both teams. / Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Jamie Gillan signed a futures/reserve contract with the Giants in 2022 and immediately took over the job.

After that 2022 season, Gillan signed a two-year contract extension worth $4 million, making him the 19th-highest-paid punter in the NFL in 2024.

Jamie Gillan
Aug 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants punter Jamie Gillan (6) before the game against the Detroit Lions at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

2024 Season Recap

Gillan punted 56 times in 13 games in 2024 –that’s an average of 4.31 times per game for 43.7 yards per punt, which ranked him 33rd among 34 qualified punters. With an average hang time of 4.23 seconds per punt, Gillan ranked 28th in the NFL.

Gillan missed four games due to a hamstring issue.  Gillan’s pooch-punting was safe, but most of these forced fair catches came outside the 15-yard line, Gillan rarely pinning a team deep.  

Overall, Gillan was a middle-of-the-road punter who remains inconsistent, though his one-step punting makes him very difficult to block.  His per-punt numbers were a bit down this year, but his holding for kicks was pristine.   

Jamie Gillan
Dec 25, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants punter Jamie Gillan (6) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. / Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Why the Giants Should Keep Him

Gillan had the lowest percentage of punts returned in the entire NFL at just 30.7%, meaning while he wasn’t doing anything spectacular, he wasn’t putting the Giants at risk for long returns.

Jamie Gillan
Oct 15, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New York Giants punter Jamie Gillan (6) punts the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Highmark Stadium. / Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Why the Giants Shouldn’t Keep Him

Re-signing Gillan would mean that the Giants are committing resources to someone near the bottom of the league in terms of average punt distance and hang time. Not putting the ball in harm’s way isn’t enough of a positive trait to justify paying for something that could be found in free agency or the draft.

Potential Replacements If He Doesn’t Return

J.K. Scott
Oct 21, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Chargers punter JK Scott (16) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Free Agent: J.K. Scott, Chargers

In free agency, J.K. Scott would likely be available for a similar price tag to Gillan but had better numbers across the board.

James Burnip
Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide punter James Burnip (86) against the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Draft: James Burnip, Alabama

Late-day three or undrafted free agency could give the Giants a multi-year replacement for Gillan and Alabama’s James Burnip and Florida’s Jeremy Crawshaw, the most notable candidates. Both punters are going to be at the Senior Bowl later this month.

Jamie Gillan
Aug 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants punter Jamie Gillan (6) takes the field prior to the preseason game against the Detroit Lions at MetLife Stadium. / Scott Rausenberger-Imagn Images

Keep or Dump?

The Giants should allow Gillan to enter free agency and address their need for a new punter through free agency or the draft. There’s no need to retain what Gillan brings when the Giants could get the same production for cheaper.


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Brandon Olsen
BRANDON OLSEN

Brandon Olsen is the founder of Whole Nine Sports, specializing in NFL Draft coverage, and is the host of the Locked On Gators Podcast.