2. FIX THE DEFENSE
Don’t forget the Giants’ defense needs serious work, too. In particular, the linebacker position needs a leader who is also a monstrous playmaker, the secondary needs help, and it never hurts to add more pass rushers.
At backer, B.J. Goodson, 24, looked like he could be that guy in the middle with 18 tackles in Dallas to open last season, but he never could shake a bad ankle and was limited to only seven games. A major task for the Giants’ front office and medical and training staffs is to determine whether the third-year pro can recover and be durable.
Top free agent linebackers include Philly’s Nigel Bradham, 28, and Detroit’s Tahir Whitehead, 27, of Jersey City. Top draft prospects include Georgia’s Roquan Smith, Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds, Alabama’s Rashaan Evans and Boise State’s Leighton Vander Esch.
Several Giants free agent LBs could be gone, including captain Jonathan Casillas, Keenan Robinson, Devon Kennard and Mark Herzlich. The athletic Robinson could provide value if he stays healthy. Romeo Okwara, a defensive end who played some linebacker too last season, could be an asset under new DC James Bettcher.
Corner must be a priority, too, though. The Giants suspended all of their top-three corners last season: Janoris Jenkins for no-showing at a practice, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie for storming out of the facility, and Apple for a season’s-worth of issues. Jenkins is a great player at the top of his game but needs to correct his attitude. Cutting DRC could save the Giants $6 million, per overthecap.com, and there is a strong possibility Gettleman trades or releases the troubled Apple, since the suspension can void remaining guarantees on his rookie deal.
So the Giants will need talent and depth here. They should re-sign Ross Cockrell, 26, who improved throughout last season and turned in a terrific final two weeks (three interceptions and six passes defended). But I’m also convinced they’ll be drafting or signing a corner, too. While New England’s Malcolm Butler, 27, would be attractive if he came affordably, my eye here will be on the draft: versatile Alabama safety/ corner Minkah Fitzpatrick at the top of the first round, and at corner specifically, players such as Ohio State’s Denzel Ward, Iowa’s Josh Jackson, or even Central Florida’s Mike Hughes, favored specifically by Mike Mayock in his initial topfive draft rankings at NFL.com. Pass rushers always must be an emphasis, especially with Jason Pierre-Paul’s and Olivier Vernon’s health issues and JPP’s bad 2017 season an obvious concern. The Giants need
more depth.