Can Ishaq Williams Grab The New York Giants Fourth DE Spot?

The New York Giants spent big money in the offseason fortifying a defensive line that notched just 23 sacks in 2015. Ranking 30th in the NFL in that category is a far cry from the Super Bowl Champion pass rush that now feels like it was decades ago.

The starters are in place. Robert Ayers and his team-leading 9.5 sacks now in Tampa Bay so the Giants won the bidding war for an elite pass rusher, the $85 million man Olivier Vernon. And Jerry Reese locked up Jason Pierre-Paul in a move Phil Simms called their best of the offseason.

Owa Odighizuwa, the Giants’ 2015 third-round pick from UCLA who was sidelined much of last season by injury, seems to be a lock for the third pass rusher. That fourth slot however appears to be up for grabs between Kerry Wynn and three undrafted free agents Romeo Okwara, Mike Rose and Ishaq Williams.

Williams is a Brooklyn native and went to high school on Coney Island, but hasn’t played a football game since he was at Notre Dame in 2013. He was dismissed after an investigation into academic fraud and after a year of appeals took a long layoff from football. The Giants gave him a longshot tryout in May and he “exceeded all expectations.”

Williams has worked on both the second and third-team defenses and “he has shown a nice burst and quick step that have enabled him to get into the backfield before his opponent can get out of his stance.”

The more experienced Wynn likely has the leg up on Williams as well as Okwara and Rose, but Wynn has excellent in stopping the run. Williams may be able to leapfrog Wynn if he shows the ability to get in the backfield and get to the quarterback.

The fourth defensive end spot doesn’t sound all that important, but just for reference, on the 2011 Super Bowl Championship team, that slot was filled by Mathias Kiwanuka. Kiwi was a huge contributor throughout that season and during their playoff run.