With veteran inside linebacker Jarrad Davis out ‘long term‘ after ongoing knee surgery recently, the New York Giants will be relying on some inexperienced options in second-year players Micah McFadden and Darrian Beavers.
McFadden, a fifth-round pick out of Indiana last year, was the only Giants draft pick to play in all 17 games, starting seven. He was replaced, ironically, by Davis in the postseason.
Beavers was a sixth-round selection out of Cincinnati who did not play a down as a rookie last year having torn his ACL in the Giants’ second preseason game.
Although the team is high on both players, they will likely seek to augment the group with another player, most likely one with more NFL experience.
Nick Falato of Big Blue View outlined five free agents the Giants could bring in to see if they are fits: former Atlanta Falcon Deion Jones; Myles Jack, the former Jacksonville standout who played last year in Pittsburgh, and several-time Giantd go-to, Jaylon Smith.
Others suggested were Zach Cunningham and Kwon Alexander.
The Giants will likely seek out a player who can best adapt to coordinator Wink Martindale’s scheme. They also have to agree to a team-friendly deal.
Ultimately, the Giants need one player who could fit both requirements.
An additional name being floated is Kyle Van Not, the former New England Patriot.
The Giants will most likely keep an eye out all the way through training camp and final cuts to see if any other players become available. The best-case scenario is that either or both McFadden and Beavers step up and grasp the role.
