New York Giants: Early top positions of need for 2021 NFL Draft
By Evan Orris
2. Pass Rush
Last season the Giants only totaled 36 sacks on the year, which ranked 22nd in the NFL. It wasn’t the worst pass rush in the NFL by any means, but it certainly can be improved.
As a matter of fact, the team did improve after a deadline trade for Leonard Williams. Williams took a lot of flack from fans for only having only a half a sack. But, he did have 11 quarterback hits in only eight games, and the unit as a whole seemed better with Williams on the field. Williams will be playing this year on a $16 million franchise tag, and if he doesn’t live up to that contract he could be on a new team next offseason.
The 2019 team leader in sacks, Markus Golden, also returns for the Giants defensive line. However, he is also on a one-year prove-it deal. The Giants were lucky to only get him for $3.75 million. But, if he can’t live up to his 10.0 sacks from a year ago, then he could be out the door also.
Not only could the Giants lose those two, but they could potentially lose Dalvin Tomlinson whose rookie contract expires after this season. Tomlinson isn’t much of a pass rusher, but he would be a key loss because of his ability as a run stuffer.
I expect the Giants to retain at least one of the previously mentioned players. But, if all of them decide to leave in free agency, then the Giants could be looking to take a dominant pass rusher in the draft.