With needs up and down their roster, the New York Giants and general manager Joe Schoen will enter free agency prepared to address multiple positions.
One of those is along the edge where the Giants are desperately lacking outside of Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Although the pass rush need has flown a bit under the radar, the Giants were named as a potential landing spot for multiple edge rushers courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
Although it may not be the Giants’ biggest or most glaring need this offseason, it may be one of the most important positions for them to address. With blitz-heavy defensive coordinator Wink Martindale no longer with the team, it will be even more important for the Giants’ defense to generate pressure more organically.
Here is a look at the edge rushers PFF has identified the Giants as a potential landing spot.
Bryce Huff, New York Jets
Huff adds an immediate impact on money downs for any team willing to pay a bit extra to acquire a premium designated pass rusher, a skill set both of these NFC East teams need desperately.
This isn’t the first time we have heard Huff’s name connected to Big Blue. He wouldn’t have to relocate very far; he’d just have to switch locker rooms at MetLife Stadium.
Leonard Floyd, Buffalo Bills
Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero adds a veteran presence on the edge, with Floyd a good fit in a predominantly 3-4 base defense that will capitalize on quarterbacks chased into his lane by Brian Burns — if the team retains him — and is efficient on stunts, which he can run with Derrick Brown on the interior.
The Giants need to add several pieces on the edge for new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, and there is the connection here with general manager Joe Schoen formerly working with the Buffalo Bills.
The former first-round pick is one of the more recognizable names on the list and had been connected to the Giants in previous years. The Giants would be his fourth team and the third in the last three years.
DeNico Autry, Tennessee Titans
New Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen comes over from Tennessee, where Autry just had several of the best seasons of his lengthy career.
We’ve seen in a few cases over the last couple of years, Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen adding talent from their time in Buffalo. The Giants’ new defensive coordinator, Shane Bowen, may do the same with some of his players that worked with in his old stomping grounds.
Yannick Ngakoue, Chicago Bears
We’ve mentioned the Giants plenty, but the edge rush talent beyond Kayvon Thibodeaux is virtually non-existent, and New York is likely selecting too early at No. 6 overall to consider taking a defensive player — perhaps after a trade-down, if they go that route.
Ngakaue is another name the Giants have been connected to in years past. Although he may not be the player he once was, he can certainly still contribute and the Giants can certainly use him.
