New York Giants: team needs big play from defensive line

The New York Giants need to be better up front on the defensive side of the football. The Giants spent much of the offseason addressing the defensive front seven. The signings of defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis and linebacker J.T. Thomas are evidence of this. The team also invested it’s third round draft pick in Owamagbe Odighizuwa, who is a very talented defensive end from UCLA. The Giants need a big performance from the defensive line.

Let’s assume that Jason Pierre-Paul isn’t a real factor in this conversation for the sake of conversation. Do the Giants have enough talent on the defensive line? The answer is yes.

Jonathan Hankins is primed to have the best season of his career. The massive defensive tackle was one of the only bright spots on an abysmal 2014 defense. Pairing Ellis with Hankins in the Giants 4-3 defense was a move that figures to help the Giants run defense. Ellis isn’t a star but he is a space eater.

This could be the big opportunity for Damontre Moore who had 5.5 sacks last season as a rotational defensive end. Moore has his chance to earn Pierre-Paul’s starting job or at least increase his role in the defense. Moore has the explosive talent required to win off the edge and he could easily have a breakout year.

The Giants have really high hopes for Odighizuwa. The best part of Odighizuwa is he is a strong run defender who will only get better as a pass rusher. The Giants also have Robert Ayers, George Selvie and Cullen Jenkins to rotate into the defensive line. A player who needs to step up in training camp is Jay Bromley.

The Giants need big performances from their defensive linemen. The defensive line should be more equipped to stop the run. We’ll have to see if the Giants can compensate for the potential loss of Pierre-Paul. Pierre-Paul could be a big part of the defensive picture though we cannot plan on it at this point.

Next: Giants Training Camp Battles: who plays free safety?

More from GMEN HQ

Home/NY Giants News