Drafting Giants: Fix the Pass Rush in the Draft
The New York Giants are in need of a complete over haul on the defensive side of the ball. First order of business should be to resign Prince Amukamara to keep the stability at the corner position. Prince has played hard and has shown flashes of greatness. Injuries have keep him off the field; however, he is more than just a solid corner back and the Giants should not want to start over at the position.
Robert Ayers who might have had his best year as a pro was the shining light on a very terrible defensive devastated by injuries.
In 2015 the Giants were ranked 31st in yards given up per play(6.1), 32nd – yards per game(420.3) and 30th in total points give up.
While vital players like Jonathan Hankins will return with stud corner back Dominique Rodgers Cromartie, the rest of the defensive is in desperate need of repair. While players like Devon Kennard, Devin Unga and Jasper Brinkley will most likely return and contribute, the NY Giants defense needs to get back to rushing the passer by drafting the next stud defensive end.
- Michael Strahan – 6’5 275 – 2nd round pick (’93). 141.5 sacks | 429 tackles. 7x pro-bowler | NFL single season sack leader 22.5 | 2x NFL Defensive Player of Year | NFL All Decade Team
- Osi Umenyiora – 6’3 255 – 2nd round pick (’03). 85 sacks | 4x Pro Bowler. NFL record holder for forced fumbles in a season (10)
- Justin Tuck – 6’4 265 – 3rd round pick (’05). 66.5 sacks | 510 tackles. 2x Pro Bowler | Ranked top 100 Players ’11 & ’12. Only player in history to have multi sacks in multi Super Bowls.
- Jason Pierre Paul – 6’4 278 – 1st round pick (’10). 42 sacks | 288 tackles. 2x Pro Bowler. Ranked top 100 Players ’12 & ’13.
When the Giants have a great pass rush, even average corner backs can make plays. The Giants won two Super Bowls with Corey Webster, Aaron Ross, Sam Madison, and Kevin Dockery. The Giants need to get back to basics and draft a handful of pass rushers.
Hopefully there is a middle linebacker in Free Agency that can fit the Giants system, regardless of the coach and coordinator. This team is built around the 4-3 defensive and with some luck Steve Spagnuolo comes back and with a crop of new talent.
As much the Jason Pierre Paul story is great and he is a true warrior for coming back and turning up the heat on terrible roster of defensive players, the Giants need more. JPP should be part of the team, but not relied on as the anchor.
Should return in 2016: Hankins, Bromley, Unga, Kennard, Bromley, Prince, DRC, Wade, Collins, Wynn, Berhe, Casillias, Odidhizuwa, Thompson, B. Jackson, Nix.
Should not return in 2016: Beason, Hosley, JT Thomas, Herzlich, Jenkins, Selvie, Taylor, McBride, Meriweather, Morris, Hughes, Cofield, Dahl.
@NYGiantsRush