New York Giants Free Agency/Draft Preview: Team Needs More D-Line Depth
The Giants’ defensive line is an underrated position that needs to be addressed this offseason. Dexter Lawrence highlights the group, as he’s become one of the league’s top interior defensive linemen. After the team traded away Leonard Williams to Seattle, A'Shawn Robinson stepped in and gave the Giants some quality snaps as a replacement.
But Robinson is set to hit free agency, leaving the team with Lawrence and Rakeem Nunez-Roches as the experienced depth and youngsters D.J. Davidson and Jordon Riley as intriguing but still developing prospects.
The Giants still weren’t great at stopping the run last season. Lawrence generated most of the pass rush production, so they must find a versatile player along the interior this offseason to help boost this unit's production.
More Position Group Free Agency/Draft Previews
Quarterback | Running Back | Tight End | Interior Offensive Line | Wide Receivers | Offensive Tackle
Personnel Recap
- Under Contract: Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nuñez-Roches, Jordon Riley, DJ Davidson, Timmy Horne, Ryder Anderson
- UFAs: A’Shawn Robinson, Jihad Ward
- RFA: N/A
- ERFA: N/A
The Giants will need more help on the defensive line now, which is the opposite of what was said at this time last offseason. They went into 2023 with Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams manning the middle of the line, but after Williams was traded midseason, they’ve had to rely on others to pick up the slack.
Robinson, who was signed last offseason, stepped up when needed to. Riley had a few surprising highlight plays in limited snaps, his development should be one to watch. Nuñez-Roches, the other veteran run stopper the Giants brought in, also did alright in limited snaps.
New York has some promising depth in Riley and Davidson, but both are still somewhat raw and have big off-seasons ahead of them.
Jordon Riley
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Top 3 Questions to Be Answered
Do they go with youth next to Dexter Lawrence?
The Giants have four top 70 selections in this year’s draft. Could they use one of them on an interior defensive lineman? It shouldn’t be a surprise, as this year’s class at the position is loaded with young talent.
The Giants could land a young player to pair with Dexter Lawrence on the interior. It’d also be another player for defensive line coach Andre Patterson to work with, given his track record for molding players in the past.
What kind of leap can Jordon Riley take in year two?
Many didn't think much of it when the Giants selected Riley in the seventh round last year. However, Riley flashed a few times in limited snaps during his rookie year. He displayed good strength and could shed blocks almost effortlessly at times. He ended the year with eight tackles and one tackle for loss in eight games, which isn’t anything to write home about. However, given the opening for more playing time in 2024, Riley could make a leap that many aren’t expecting.
Will Lawrence’s role change under Shane Bowen?
Shane Bowen will call the shots on defense going forward instead of Wink Martindale. It was Martindale’s system where Lawrence finally shined and became the player he is today, as he turned strictly into a nose tackle. When Bowen was hired, many wondered if Lawrence’s role would move from nose tackle to defensive tackle.
That shouldn’t be the case, as Bowen wouldn’t need to move Lawrence off the nose to generate a pass rush. Jeffery Simmons, who played under Bowen for three seasons, was both a defensive end and tackle over the last three years and accumulated 21.5 sacks. Bowen likely won't fix what's not broken.
Draft or Free Agency?
The Giants need to add another potential starter next to Dexter Lawrence, with Robinson set to hit free agency. It also wouldn’t hurt to add another depth player, considering injuries have contributed to the Giants’ woes over the years.
They need to add another interior defensive lineman to improve their ability to rush the passer. In Shane Bowen’s system, stopping the run has been key during his years in Tennessee, as the Titans were always near the best in that category.
However, producing pressure from the interior would go a long way. They already get a lot from Lawrence, who is on another planet regarding interior defensive linemen. Better production from edge rushers would help, but if they can add another interior player to take some pressure off of Lawrence, it could do wonders.
This is why they’ll need to prioritize both the draft and free agency in finding versatile players who can stop the run and rush the passer. They can find good value in free agency while bringing in another young player with potential on a cheap rookie deal.
They likely won’t take one in the first round, but don’t be surprised to see the Giants use a Day 3 pick on a defensive lineman for depth.
Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy (DL18) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Top Three Draft Picks to Target
Byron Murphy II, Clemson: The Giants could find some nice value, especially since they have two second-round picks. Murphy would be a great pick on Day 2. He lacks the ideal size for an interior guy but can both stop the run and rush the passer, as he had 8.5 tackles for loss and five sacks last season. He’s strong, handles double teams well, and might be a great pairing with Dexter Lawrence.
Leonard Taylor III, Miami: Taylor still needs to refine his pass rush to make an impact in that area, but he can stop the run very well. He has good size and is hard to move 1-on-1. Despite his low production last season, where he had just 3.5 tackles for loss and one sack, Taylor’s still young (21 years old in May) and would be another player for defensive line coach Andre Patterson to mold into a potential starter.
Kris Jenkins Jr, Michigan: The son of former NFL player Kris Jenkins and nephew of Cullen Jenkins (once a Giant), Jenkins has all the physical tools to potentially be a monster in the NFL. He had 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and an interception last season at Michigan, with his freakish strength and athleticism on display. Jenkins would be an immediate starter on a Giants defensive line that could use a boost.
Top Three Free Agents to Target
Bilal Nichols, Raiders: The Giants will likely be bargain shopping at this position for veterans, looking for value instead of dishing out a huge contract. This is where Nichols would fit perfectly, as he has pass-rush ability and solid run-stopping metrics. He had 48 tackles, four tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks last season, playing in all 17 games. Nichols is also extremely durable, missing only five games in his career, a potentially intriguing value signing for the Giants.
Tim Settle, Bills: Settle is younger at 26 but could come in on another cheaper deal. The former Washington Commander spent four years with the team before signing with the Bills in 2022. He’s always been in a backup/rotational role, which is why the Giants could get him on a shorter, prove-it deal. Settle had 14 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack last season for the Bills, but displayed his best pass rush ability in Washington in 2020, when he had a career-high five sacks.
DaQuan Jones, Bills: Jones spent the last two seasons in Buffalo and seven years in Tennessee but didn’t overlap with the current Giants’ staff when they were in those areas. Regardless, Jones would be another solid veteran addition coming in relatively cheap. He’s on the older side at 32, but he had a decent season with the Bills in 2023 in limited snaps, recording 16 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and four tackles for loss.
