The New York Giants recently applied the franchise tag to defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul.

Unless another NFL team gives up two first round draft picks, Pierre-Paul will be a Giant next season. Still, the Giants have a lot of work to do this offseason.

One of the biggest concerns for the Giants will be improving their running backs situation. Fortunately for the Giants, they have a lot of options. This offseason is filled with a lot of notable running backs who are set to hit the free agent market on Tuesday, March 10.

One option is Ray Rice. The young back was suspended all of last season for his off-the-field conduct, and the Baltimore Ravens will not be bringing him back any time soon. The "New York Times" suggests that Rice would improve the Giants roster. Rice definitely isn't the back he once was, but the Giants could use a speed guy to get yards on the outside and catch passes out of the backfield.

Last season's leading rusher, DeMarco Murray, will most likely not get signed by the Dallas Cowboys. But the Giants aren't about to open their wallets and unload a truckload of money towards him.

They could, however, choose to sign Knowshon Moreno. The former No. 12 overall draft pick ran for 1,038 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2013. Unfortunately for him, he missed almost all of last season with the Miami Dolphins because of a torn ACL. This could be a steal for the Giants because Moreno's stock is so low. Moreno was once viewed as a great running back who helped the Denver Broncos get to the Super Bowl, but almost everyone has forgotten about him since last year's injury.

Despite ranking 23rd overall in rushing yards last season, the Giants have been one of the best at operating the two-back system in the Tom Coughlin era. The Giants won't add a superstar running back, but signing average pieces to carry the ball to create a balanced system that the team lacked last season.

It is highly likely that the San Francisco 49ers will re-sign veteran Frank Gore. If they don't, however, he could be a good fit with the Giants for the right price.

Another popular running back name that has been tied to the Giants is Reggie Bush. In surprising fashion, the Lions decided to release Bush last week, thus making him an unrestricted free agent. The "New York Daily News" believes Bush and the Giants would make a good fit next season because of Bush's speed. The loss of David Wilson was extremely unexpected, but it happens. Bush has shown he can adapt to multiple offensive systems in the past, having helped the New Orleans Saints win the Super Bowl in the 2009-10 season.

If the Giants can't convince Bush, Rice, Gore or Moreno to come to New Jersey, they can try and re-sign an old friend.

Ahmad Bradshaw has an expiring contract, and the Indianapolis Colts probably won't be re-signing him. Is Bradshaw the next Jim Brown? Obviously not. But he will come cheap, and he knows the Giants system having played with Eli Manning and Coughlin for six seasons. He helped the Giants win two Super Bowl championships, both games in which he was the game's leading rusher.

Bradshaw is 29 years old, and we shouldn't overlook what he did last season with the Colts. Last season, Bradshaw averaged 4.7 yards per carry with his bruising runs. Clearly Bradshaw isn't a speed back who can break big runs, but he's a great power back who can help improve the Giants rushing attack. Injuries are a concern with Bradshaw, so general manager Jerry Reese would not invest a lot of guaranteed money into him.

The Giants know they have offensive line issues, as well. Without a reliable offensive line, no running back is going to make a big difference. Bradshaw is also a good blocking back providing time for Manning to make throws. Reggie Bush isn't going to make key blocks.

Although the Giants have a lot of concerns running the ball heading into next season, they have a very large pool of options in free agency and the draft.

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