New York Giants Free Agency/Draft Preview: Edge Help a Top Priority
For the first time since 2019 (Markus Golden, 10.0), the New York Giants had an edge rusher finish the season with double-digit sacks as Kayvon Thibodeaux (11.5 sacks) accomplished the feat.
A lot of Thibodeaux’s production was due to blitzes leaving him in favorable positions, and he’s shown some of the progress you’re looking for from a second-year edge rusher, but there’s plenty of room to grow.
Azeez Ojulari played in just 11 games but had the third most pressures on the team behind only Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence. Going into a contract year, it will be interesting to see how Ojulari performs.
That said, the Giants need depth at this spot—badly. Think of the great pass-rushing units this team has had in its recent history, and those units have always been at least three deep as far as productive pass rushers go. The Giants haven't been three deep in quite some time, and we think Joe Schoen realizes that the more of a "pick your poison" scenario he creates for opposing teams in blocking pass rushers, the better.
More Position Group Free Agency/Draft Previews
Quarterback | Running Back | Tight End | Interior Offensive Line | Wide Receivers | Offensive Tackle | Defensive Line | Inside Linebacker
Personnel Recap
- Under Contract: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari, Boogie Basham, Tomon Fox, Jeremiah Martin, Jeremiah Moon
- UFAs: Jihad Ward
- RFAs: N/A
- ERFAs: Benton Whitley
With just two contracts expiring this offseason (Ward and Whitley), the Giants can control most of how their room looks for 2024. Tendering Whitley is an easy decision--he’s just 25 years old, and signing him at the veteran minimum with no guaranteed money puts them at no risk if they decide to cut ties at any point.
Ward is an unrestricted free agent this offseason who likely won’t command much more than the $2-3 million mark. If that’s the asking price, which it really should be, then there are no issues bringing him back. The question, though, is will he want to return now that Wink Martindale, whom he has said he's enjoyed playing for, is no longer the defensive coordinator?
Possibly, as it's not as though Ward can go to the University of Michigan to play for Martindale, the school's new defensive coordinator. The question, though, is more about whether the Giants want him back or prefer the younger Basham, who is cut from that same cloth.
Kayvon Thibodeaux
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Top Three Questions to Be Answered
What is the long-term plan opposite Kayvon?
Right now, the Giants lack a long-term answer on the edge outside of Thibodeaux. Even if the expectation is for Ojulari, who is entering a contract year, there’s work to be done.
The Giants haven’t had a strong pass-rushing duo on the edges in almost a decade, and their overall defensive production has struggled mightily because of that. Finding an answer here is a priority, especially if Ojulari will continue dealing with injuries as he's done for most of his NFL career.
If there’s no quarterback available, do the Giants go EDGE early?
Opinions are all over the place about the quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft class, and it’s no secret that many of the teams selecting in the top ten, including the Giants, will be looking to take one. Unfortunately, that does mean that with the sixth pick in the draft, the top three or even four quarterbacks may be gone by then.
If the Giants are in a position where those top quarterbacks are gone, that would leave the top of this receiver and EDGE class within reach. Given the depth at receiver in this class, could the Giants value a top edge rusher over a top receiver?
Is an Azeez Ojulari contract extension in the cards?
This is where the Giants may be stuck in a pickle. If they feel like Ojulari will take the next steps, they could extend him early, even though he's been injury-prone. That would give them a discount if he lived up to his ceiling, but they would then be stuck in an uncomfortable position if he didn’t make that development.
Jared Verse
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Draft or Free Agency
Good NFL defenses have three good pass-rushers on the edge and, preferably, one on the interior. With Lawrence and Thibodeaux, the Giants have two but still lack production on the edge. I would look for the Giants to peek into free agency this offseason and use a high-upside NFL Draft class to address the position.
Top Three Draft Picks to Target
Dallas Turner, Alabama: Dallas Turner is considered one of the top edge defenders in the draft because He presents elite physical tools and the production to match. Turner has improved his productivity as a pass-rusher every season and even had 18 more pressures in 2023 than in 2022 on 20 fewer pass-rushing opportunities.
Jared Verse, Florida State: Few players have been as productive as Verse throughout his college career at Albany and Florida State. Verse rushes with elite power and has a long arm reminiscent of Khalil Mack on film. Verse would likely be available if the Giants were to trade down slightly, but I’m still fine with that selection at six.
EDGE/DL Darius Robinson, Missouri: Is this cheating? Robinson is a versatile player who, at the next level, will line up anywhere from a 3-technique to a stand-up edge rusher. His most common comparison is Denico Autry, who had plenty of success under new Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.
If Bowen wants to get a young Autry-type player, Robinson could be the pick early in the second round. It’s also worth noting that Autry is an unrestricted free agent.
Bryce Huff
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Top Three Free Agents to Target
Danielle Hunter, Minnesota: Earlier in his career, Danielle Hunter struggled with injuries, but in recent years, he’s managed to stay healthy and productive. Hunter will be a highly sought-after big-time free agent, but he’s got the proven film and production to command it. Bringing in Hunter and making Thibodeaux your second pass-rusher off the edge would be huge for the Giants defense in 2024, which desperately needs more pass-rush help.
Bryce Huff, New York Jets: Bryce Huff has been one of the NFL's most productive young edge rushers over the past two seasons. His first step is second to none, and because of it, he will likely be able to get between $15-17M in unrestricted free agency. Huff may be just a pass-rush specialist, but that’s no longer a real knock on players as the league is shifting more toward throwing the ball more often than not.
Leonard Floyd, Buffalo: The Giants should consider Leonard Floyd, a cheaper veteran option who’s accepted his role as a second or third pass-rusher as a journeyman off the edge. Floyd would likely cost less than $10M annually, giving the Giants one less need and keeping the salary cap available to address other positions.
