New York Giants sign OLB Khalid Kareem

The Giants' signing of Khalid Kareem on a one-year, $1.215M deal earns a C Contract Value Index (CVI), reflecting a low-risk, depth-oriented investment that carries minimal upside or downside for a franchise sitting at 4-13 and in full roster-construction mode. At the replacement-level salary tier, this is a classic prove-it deal—the kind of veteran signing that fills a roster spot without creating cap constraints or long-term obligation. The structure suggests New York views Kareem as a rotational pass rusher or special-teams contributor rather than a foundational piece, which tracks for a one-year, non-guaranteed commitment in the preseason window. For a team with 91 days until the regular season starts, this move prioritizes organizational flexibility over high-upside gambles, meaning the Giants aren't betting their window on Kareem's production—they're hedging depth at a position. The CVI grade lands in the middle: not a steal, not a burden, just a routine offseason transaction where both sides get what they need at a fair price point. It's the kind of signing that rarely moves the needle in win-loss projections but makes sense for a rebuilding roster needing reliable bodies in the trenches.