New York Giants Considered Top Home For Free Agent Dominique Easley
By Neal Lynch
Erik Lambert of NFL Mocks listed the top homes for the best remaining free agents and the New York Giants were picked as the best destination for former New England Patriots first round pick Dominique Easley.
Easley was selected 29th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft, one pick behind Kelvin Benjamin going to the Carolina Panthers and a few picks before Teddy Bridgewater went to the Minnesota Vikings. Dominique has played in 22 games over two seasons for the Pats, starting three. In that time, he managed three sacks and 24 combined tackles.
Dominique’s numbers in college weren’t eye-popping either. In four years with the Florida Gators, Easley had 72 total tackles – 18 for loss – and 5.5 sacks.
The Patriots released Easley in April in what NFL.com editor Gregg Rosenthal called, “a stunning move“. The Atlanta Falcons have showed interest in Easley as coach Dan Quinn spoke with the would-be third-year pro after his release. Dominique’s also worked out for the Cincinnati Bengals.
A former NFL executive called Easley, “a gift for someone” while an anonymous former teammate called Easley “a locker room cancer“. However, Pats defensive tackle Alan Branch disputed the reports that Dominique was a problem.
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Here’s why NFL Mocks writer Erik Lambert believes Easley could end up with Big Blue:
"“Dominique Easley: New York GiantsInjuries more than anything ended his time in New England, but so did a desire to not play for them as rumors indicate. The defensive tackle is still just 24-years old. There is time for him to regain his career if he can find a situation that fits him. In this case the New York Giants make a ton of sense. They need more help with their pass rush and feature a scheme he fits. Best of all, they play for the city where he was born.”"
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Lambert also listed two other potential free agent targets for the G-Men: Chris Culliver, whom Erik has going to the Chicago Bears, and Louis Vasquez, whom Lambert believes will sign with the San Diego Chargers. I suggested the Giants consider signing Vasquez to potentially start or add a much-needed veteran presence along the line.
Easley doesn’t seem to be too expensive a risk. Dominique earned more than $4.8 million, $3.6 million of which came via signing bonus. He was scheduled to make a little more than $1 million in 2016 before he was released.
The Giants starters on the interior of the defensive line are set with the signing of Damon Harrison and the return of 2014 standout Johnathan Hankins, who will be entering the final year of his rookie contract. Beyond that, however, things are somewhat unsettled.
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Of the remaining d-tackles, Jay Bromley is the strongest candidate to rotate in, with Louis Nix, plus undrafted 2016 free agents Melvin Lewis, Michael Hunter, and Greg Milhouse fighting for time. Third-year man Bromley has two more seasons left on his rookie contract from 2014 before he hits the market. Nix is on a one-year deal and would be a restricted free agent in 2017. Would a homecoming for Easley ease Giant concerns and cure Dominique’s injury bug?