The diamond in the rough
LB Okereke has been rare Giants free agent to shine
There are more one-hit wonders than greatest hits, which is troubling enough for the Giants even before a too-long list of greatest misses is taken into account.
The Giants’ track record in free agency over the 13 years since signing Super Bowlwinning co-captain Antrel Rolle reads like a “Buyer Beware” sticker.
The $164 million spent on Geoff Schwartz, Shane Vereen, Brandon Marshall, Rhett Ellison, Nate Solder, Patrick Omameh, Kareem Martin, Golden Tate, Kenny Golladay and Kyle Rudolph, according to spotrac.com, essentially was lit on fire. The promising first-year returns on the $255 million investment for the additions of David Baas, Dominique RodgersCromartie, Janoris Jenkins, Olivier Vernon, Damon Harrison, James Bradberry, Blake Martinez and Logan Ryan did not continue over time.
That is the backdrop against which middle linebacker Bobby Okereke has burst onto the scene as the latest free-agent signing to be cast as arguably the best since Rolle.
“Free agency is hard,” general manager Joe Schoen said. “Obviously, I’d like to draft and develop and sign our own, which … we retained some of the guys that were here previously and we got some good foundational pieces in some of the draft picks that are here, but [it’s important] to hit on a guy like Bobby O., who fits everything that we are talking about — smart, tough, dependable and a good player.”
Advertised as a sure-tackler leaving the Colts after four seasons, Okereke doesn’t just lead the Giants with 113 stops, including a career-high nine for loss. In coordinator Wink Martindale’s aggressive scheme, he has shown a nose for the ball with four forced fumbles and two interceptions (plus two interceptions created for teammates) that he learned from playing alongside three-time First-Team All-Pro Shaquille Leonard.
“Instincts are a big part of this game, and I think Wink does a really good job of letting me play to those instincts,” Okereke said. “I got to watch Shaquille Leonard firsthand fly around and get forced fumbles, interceptions, fumble recoveries. I’m doing my best ‘Maniac’ impression.” Punching the ball loose is an art form. “He’s crafty at doing it, got long arms, he’s got good timing on it,” head coach Brian Daboll said. “Some of it is just his natural ability and his instinctiveness as the play is going on.”
Whether Okereke, 27, joins the one-hit wonders list or becomes the next great Giants linebacker is a test for time.
But the four-year, $40 million contract that he signed in March looks like a wise investment given that Okereke has missed just two of a potential 78 career games and is the only NFL linebacker to play every defensive snap this season despite facing a broken rib, a broken pinky and a hip injury.
“It’s feeling a duty to my teammates,” Okereke said. “If they are going to be battling, I’m going to do whatever I can to be out there with them.”
Okereke wasted no time asserting himself off the field with the Giants — he was voted a co-captain before his first season — but it took about a month’s worth of games for him to find his footing on the field. Martindale recently used Okereke’s increased weekly command of the defense as an analogy that resonated with teammates when talking about Commanders quarterback Sam Howell’s progress. “I think it speaks to the leadership that’s already been here,” Okereke said. “I really just got to come in seamlessly and do my job — be a vocal leader, be a guy who is going to excel at the small details of his position. I had to figure out where I could take my shots and make my plays. I’m getting more comfortable in the scheme and feeling a lot more confident.”
Martinez’s 151-tackle introduction on a similar contract to Okereke’s in 2020 did not include the same amount of differencemaking plays — and then his career path was changed by a torn ACL in 2021.
Okereke, who was expecting to get grief from teammates this week for running into teammate Isaiah Simmons and not scoring on his 56-yard interception return against the Patriots, is the NFL’s No. 12-ranked inside linebacker (and No. 8 in pass coverage) by Pro Football Focus.
“It’s not always easy to become a leader when you’re in the first year of a program where you come in as a free agent,” Daboll said. “He’s done that … not just on the defensive side but for the entire team. He’s consistent with his approach, smart, instinctive. He’s been good for us.”
Good enough to be on a roll, no doubt. Good enough to be the next Rolle?