This is one of the big kahunas. As anyone who saw the Super Bowl can attest, pass rush REALLY helps wins championships. I couldn’t even believe my eyes seeing Mahomes running for his life. Every team in the league took notice. It's fairly safe to say that NO ONE will be able to pull together a group like Barrett, Suh, Vea and Pierre-Paul in all likelihood. But let's talk about what we have, and then what we can do.
DT/DE
Simmons is the closest thing we have to a stud. As the year went on, he ran down a bit (constant double teams will do that to you) but he is still going to be a key piece of our Defensive front. But he needs a LOT of help.
Daquan is a FA and my prediction is, he will not be back. We have to get more aggressive in the front five, and while Daquan is good, he is far from great.
Jack Crawford is also a FA who I can’t imagine will be back, unless as a backup.
Laurell Murchison thoroughly underwhelmed at DL but will hopefully bring some competition with an actual training camp anticipated.
Tier Tart… This one is interesting. Tart looked really good at times late in the season and showed some pass rush ability. That being said, I can’t imagine a world where he’s a presumed starter in 2021.
Free Agent Possibilities
Leonard Williams is the cream of the crop this free agency cycle and will probably seek $13-$16 million/yr. We could pull this off with the right contract, and pairing him with Simmons would be awesome. Unfortunately, he will have plenty of suitors if the Giants don’t resign him.
Shelby Harris is 30 but is coming off an 11 sack dominant year and could be had for a reasonable price I’d imagine.
Sheldon Rankins had a big 2018 but hasn’t followed it up consistently. He’s young though and has flashed plenty of potential.
Solomon Thomas has a ridiculous draft pedigree for such mediocre production. That being said, maybe he could thrive in a new system and would not break any banks.
My choice: Sign Shelby Harris AND Solomon Thomas AND draft DL in the 2nd.
Draft
If our first two picks aren’t spent on EDGE and/or DL I will blow a gasket. Unfortunately, there isn’t much in the draft for interior defenders this year. Outside of Basham, Barmore or Odeyingbo, there really isn’t an immediate impact player available. If one of those guys falls close to us in the 2nd though, I can’t see us passing them up.
Thoughts?
DT/DE
Simmons is the closest thing we have to a stud. As the year went on, he ran down a bit (constant double teams will do that to you) but he is still going to be a key piece of our Defensive front. But he needs a LOT of help.
Daquan is a FA and my prediction is, he will not be back. We have to get more aggressive in the front five, and while Daquan is good, he is far from great.
Jack Crawford is also a FA who I can’t imagine will be back, unless as a backup.
Laurell Murchison thoroughly underwhelmed at DL but will hopefully bring some competition with an actual training camp anticipated.
Tier Tart… This one is interesting. Tart looked really good at times late in the season and showed some pass rush ability. That being said, I can’t imagine a world where he’s a presumed starter in 2021.
Free Agent Possibilities
Leonard Williams is the cream of the crop this free agency cycle and will probably seek $13-$16 million/yr. We could pull this off with the right contract, and pairing him with Simmons would be awesome. Unfortunately, he will have plenty of suitors if the Giants don’t resign him.
Shelby Harris is 30 but is coming off an 11 sack dominant year and could be had for a reasonable price I’d imagine.
Sheldon Rankins had a big 2018 but hasn’t followed it up consistently. He’s young though and has flashed plenty of potential.
Solomon Thomas has a ridiculous draft pedigree for such mediocre production. That being said, maybe he could thrive in a new system and would not break any banks.
My choice: Sign Shelby Harris AND Solomon Thomas AND draft DL in the 2nd.
Draft
If our first two picks aren’t spent on EDGE and/or DL I will blow a gasket. Unfortunately, there isn’t much in the draft for interior defenders this year. Outside of Basham, Barmore or Odeyingbo, there really isn’t an immediate impact player available. If one of those guys falls close to us in the 2nd though, I can’t see us passing them up.
Thoughts?