Subscribe
Follow Us
The New York Giants have actually done a fine job addressing their issues this offseason. They signed the best cornerback on the market in James Bradberry. They added some linebacking talent. They focused on the offensive line in the NFL Draft.
However, there is one area in which the Giants still severely lack: the pass rush.
To be fair to Dave Gettleman and the front office, they didn't have unlimited funds, so there were only so many holes they could fill. But New York's lack of pass rushers is very concerning heading into 2020.
This past season, linebacker Markus Golden led the Giants with 10 sacks. The problem is, he is no longer on the roster, as he is currently a free agent.
New York could always bring Golden back, but the fact that the 29-year-old is still available on the open market is an indicator that he is looking for a pretty hefty pay day, something that Big Blue can't afford right now.
Even with Golden in tow in 2019, the Giants still finished in the bottom half of the NFL in sacks, totaling 36. That's why some felt New York should actually have actually gone with Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons with the No. 4 overall pick in the draft, but don't get it twisted: Andrew Thomas was the right choice. Protecting Daniel Jones is of the utmost importance.
So, where with the Giants' pass rush come from next season?
Oshane Ximines and Lorenzo Carter finished tied for second on Big Blue with 4.5 sacks this past year. As far as the defensive line is concerned, Dalvin Tomlinson logged 3.5 sacks.
New York did bring in former Green Bay Packers linebackers Blake Martinez and Kyler Fackrell in free agency, the latter of whom actually rattled off 10.5 sacks in 2018. Martinez has accumulated eight sacks over the last two years, so that's decent.
Article Continues Below
However, Fackrell has amassed a grand total of 16.5 sacks in four seasons. And while Martinez is okay at getting to the quarterback for an inside linebacker, he is not exactly an elite pass rusher.
Dexter Lawrence had an under-the-radar fantastic rookie campaign, but his prowess mainly comes in the form of stopping the run and attracting multiple blockers rather than actually getting to the quarterback (he posted 2.5 sacks in 2019).
And yes; there was a time when Leonard Williams was a decent pass rusher, particularly when he registered seven sacks back in 2016. But now, he is primarily a run stuffer and only recorded a half of a sack this past season.
As you can see, it is tough to determine where the pressure is going to come from. There is potential in certain areas, but none of these guys are proven pass rushers.
The best course of action for the Giants would be to fit Golden into the budget. That way, they can assure themselves of having a guy who just racked up double-digit sacks on their roster.
But if New York is unable to come to terms with Golden (and time is running out), Big Blue's defense—even if it is improved—is going to run into significant trouble in 2020.
