The New York Giants are attempting to keep the dominant defense of 2016 together. The latest decision: re-signing linebacker Keenan Robinson.
The New York Giants have made the most of the limited cap space available to them during the 2017 offseason. Between re-signing key players and adding a high-profile playmaker, the Giants have been proactive in their attempts to win a fifth Super Bowl.
The spending continued on Monday, Mar. 20 when it was reported that the Giants had addressed one of the voids at linebacker.
General manager Jerry Reese has long been criticized for undervaluing the key contributions from the linebacker position. During the 2017 offseason, however, it’s become clear that Reese isn’t as stuck in his ways as he’s been perceived to be.
According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Giants will re-sign linebacker Keenan Robinson.
Giants will re-sign LB Keenan Robinson, source says.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 21, 2017
Per Field Yates of ESPN, Robinson met with the Buffalo Bills before ultimately decided to return to the team that gave him an opportunity to prove himself in 2016.
LB Keenan Robinson had a visit with the Bills, per league source. He posted 83 tackles for the Giants in 2016.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 20, 2017
After years of neglecting the linebacker corps, Reese appears intent on bolstering the unit during the 2017 offseason.
Robinson played in all 16 games for the first time in his NFL career during the 2016 season. The former Washington Redskins draft pick performed well during that time, recording 83 tackles, including 54 solo, and a career-high seven passes defended.
Though Robinson struggled mightily against the run and in the pass rush, he ranked a respectable No. 33 amongst linebackers in coverage on Pro Football Focus.
By bringing Robinson back, the Giants have effectively acknowledged the need to maintain a high level of play against the pass.
This isn’t the first report of the Giants being interested in shoring up the linebacker position. Reese was reportedly at the Vanderbilt Commodores pro day. He was reportedly keeping an especially close eye on linebacker Zach Cunningham.
Cunningham has a first-round grade and could be an option for the Giants at No. 23.
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No matter what transpires in the 2017 NFL Draft, the New York Giants have created continuity by re-signing Keenan Robinson.