Looking in depth at the new Giants defense
The New York Giants were big spenders during free agency, and most of that money was spent on the defense. The Giants then decided to double-down by drafting more defensive help during the 2016 NFL Draft.
It’s a very different squad this year, and I will be taking an in-depth look at the new-look Giants defense. Let’s start with the defensive line improvements and work towards the defensive secondary.
The Defensive Line
The defensive line was certainly a top priority this offseason, and the Giants took care of that by bringing in new faces like Olivier Vernon and Damon “Snacks” Harrison. Additionally, the Giants brought back Jason Pierre-Paul for a one-year, $10 million dollar contract. A returning JPP could be a key remaining piece to this new-look Giants defensive line.
Olivier Vernon will give the team an elite pass rusher, which the Giants have been missing for too long. According to ProFootballFocus.com, Olivier was rated as the highest graded edge-defender for the second half of last season. During that time, Vernon recorded nine sacks, 64 quarterback pressures, 26 quarterback hits and 29 hurries. He’s only 25 years old and still prime for years to come.
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On the other hand, Damon Harrison will be mostly used to stop the run, as opposed to rushing the passer. According to ProFootballFocus.com, “Snacks” was rated as the number one run-stopping defensive tackle this past season. His presence drastically improves the Giants run defense, which ranked 24th this last year.
Now to the familiar faces of Jonathan Hankins and JPP. Hankins is coming back from a pectoral injury during the Tampa Bay game last season. Pierre-Paul only played half of the 2015 season after his 4th of July accident. Even then, he had an off year (for him) once returning. He recorded only 26 tackles and just one sack. The Giants need the former JPP back; that elite pass rusher from year’s past. Jonathan Hankins also had a drop off season when compared to his stellar 2014 campaign. Hankins recorded 51 tackles and seven sacks during his breakout 2014 year, but then last season, he only had 30 tackles with zero sacks. I personally blame his statistical drop on not playing alongside a healthy JPP last season.
The defensive line is definitely much improved and in a way better position than this time last year.
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