Offensive line and quarterback remain Big Blue’s top priorities ahead of the 2018 NFL Draft, but New York’s biggest weakness on the defensive side of the ball is no secret.
The New York Giants have struggled to find any stability at the linebacker position in recent years. Injuries and poor play have made the middle of New York’s defense a feasting ground for opponents.
The G-Men started seven different linebackers in 2017, and arguably their best linebacker, Devon Kennard, is set to test free agency this offseason. Big Blue has six linebackers scheduled to hit free agency in 2018, according to Spotrac.
The Giants have been able to succeed without great linebacker play in the past, but the NFL’s top defenses in 2017 have playmakers at all three levels.
The Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, and Philadelphia Eagles all have elite linebacking corps, while still managing a dominant pass rush and great secondary. Telvin Smith, Myles Jack, Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr, Mychal Kendricks, and Nigel Bradham were all selected by their current teams in the draft and have all played a role in their team’s success this season.
Only Barr was a first-round selection. Smith, a 2014 fifth-round pick, just earned Second-Team All-Pro honors in his fourth season.
The Giants are highly unlikely to use the No. 2 overall pick on a linebacker, but if general manager Dave Gettleman wants a championship defense, he must add some talent to the position. Big Blue has drafted just two linebackers, Kennard and B.J. Goodson, over the past six years.
Whether it’s in the first-round or the fifth-round, New York needs to bring in some competition for any and all their linebacker positions. Over 30 linebackers were selected in the 2017 NFL Draft.
GMEN HQ has already taken a look at the top 10 quarterbacks and the top 10 running backs in this year’s draft class and now takes a closer look at the top 10 linebackers in the 2018 draft.