2018 NFL Draft: Top 10 pass rushers for New York Giants

The New York Giants are looking to reestablish their once-dominant pass rush under James Bettcher.

The New York Giants new defensive coordinator is known for bringing the pressure, leading the Cardinals to a league-high 48 sacks in 2016.

During Bettcher’s three-year stint as Arizona’s defensive coordinator, the Cardinals amassed 121 sacks. The G-Men recorded just 85 sacks during that same span.

Despite having two of the four highest-paid defensive ends in the league, Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon, the New York Giants recorded just 27 sacks in 2017, placing them 29th out of 32 teams. To be fair, JPP and Vernon accounted for more than 50 percent of the team’s sacks, recording a combined 15 quarterback takedowns.

While the Giants hope Pierre-Paul and Vernon can improve their play in 2018, New York’s new general manager Dave Gettleman will likely look to add some talent to the team’s pass rush this offseason.

Versatility is key to Bettcher’s defense. Big Blue’s new defensive coordinator already met with the team’s personnel departments ahead of the Scouting Combine. He is looking for players that can fill multiple roles both in free agency and in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Bettcher brings a 3-4 base defense to the Big Apple, but he continually shifts his formations. The G-Men are expected to shift from a 3-4 to a 4-3 to a nickel defense throughout a game, and will continually try to disrupt the rhythm of an opposing offense by bringing pressure.

There are some pass rushing options for Big Blue in free agency. But adding youth to their edge in the draft may make more sense, especially in the long-term.

There is plenty of edge talent in this year’s draft class. Here’s a look at the top 10 options for Big Blue based on talent and ability to fit Bettcher’s scheme.

#10 – Auburn OLB Jeff Holland

Jeff Holland is only a one-year starter at Auburn but has the potential to be a mid-round steal. The 6-foot-2, 249-pound outside linebacker took over Carl Lawson’s starting role in 2017 and quickly displayed why he was the top high school prospect coming out of Florida.

Holland recorded 45 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles while helping the Tigers reach their first SEC Championship Game since 2013. The first-team All-SEC outside linebacker could make a strong fit as a rotational pass rusher in Bettcher’s defense, but he may not have the ideal versatility Big Blue is looking for in an eventual starter.

Holland is projected to be third to fourth-round draft selection.

#9 – Georgia OLB Lorenzo Carter

Lorenzo Carter may not have lived up to his high expectations in Athens but does have the length and quickness to excel as a 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level. Through four seasons at Georgia, Carter amassed 166 tackles, 21.5 tackles for a loss, 14 sacks, and six forced fumbles.

The 6-foot-6, 242-pound prospect has the talent to play outside linebacker in either a 3-4 or 4-3 base defense, but he is more suited to succeed as a pure pass rusher in a 3-4 scheme. Despite little improvement in his sophomore and junior seasons, at least one NFC scout noticed a difference in his play in 2017, via NFL Network.

"“He was a really big deal coming out but I didn’t think he developed as much after his freshman year as I expected him to. He’s been in a lot of different roles over there but this year I thought he looked more aggressive and more comfortable outside.”"

Carter is projected to be a second to third-round selection.

#8 – USC OLB Uchenna Nwosu

Uchenna Nwosu could be an ideal draft selection for Bettcher’s defense. The Trojans 6-foot-3, 240-pound outside linebacker has the ability to be a starter in both a 3-4 and 4-3 base defense. He racked up the most quarterback pressures of any draft-eligible edge defender in 2017, according to Pro Football Focus.

Nwosu recorded 75 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks, 13 passes defended, and one interception in his senior year, while helping USC win its first Pac-12 title since 2008.

The Trojans two-year starter has plenty of room for development at the next level. But Nwosu could thrive as a rotational pass rusher for Big Blue. He is currently projected to be a third to fourth-round draft selection.

#7 – Kansas EDGE Dorance Armstrong

Dorance Armstrong is considered one of the top edge rushers to watch at the Scouting Combine this weekend. The Jayhawks 6-foot-4, 246-pound defensive end struggled to replicate his sophomore production in 2017, but at least one NFC scouting director isn’t reading too much into his down year, via NFL Network.

"“Don’t read too much into that sack total this year. They didn’t really cut him loose this year. I still like the talent and he will help himself at the Combine.”"

Armstrong earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2016, recording 20 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, and three forced fumbles. He recorded just 9.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks in his junior year but 63 tackles and three more forced fumbles helped him earn second-team all-conference honors.

Armstrong could immediately contribute as a 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level, but will likely need to add weight to his frame to succeed as a 4-3 defensive end. He has drawn comparisons with former Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans linebacker/defensive end Kamerion Wimbley.

Armstrong is currently projected to be a third-round draft selection. But he has as much upside potential as some of the star pass rushers in this year’s class, making him one of the biggest draft sleepers for Big Blue.

#6 – Ohio State DE Sam Hubbard

The Buckeyes front seven had no shortage of talent in 2017, and Sam Hubbard is projected to be one of the top defensive ends off the board.

The 6-foot-5, 265-pound prospect is likely a perfect fit as a 4-3 defensive end, but some draft analysts believe he can fill multiple roles at the next level. NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah lists Hubbard as the No. 41 overall prospect on his Big Board. He writes that he’s an ideal fit as a 4-3 defensive end, but also states Hubbard can fit as a defensive end in a three-man front if he adds some weight.

Jeremiah’s colleague, Mike Mayock, on the other hand, believes Hubbard can fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker or a 4-3 defensive end.

In three seasons at Ohio State, Hubbard amassed 116 tackles, 30 tackles for a loss, 17 sacks, and three forced fumbles. The Buckeyes defensive end may not be the most athletic or have the most upside potential, but he is considered one of the safer pass rushing prospects. Teams will know what they are getting in Hubbard.

#5 – Boston College EDGE Harold Landry

The Eagles 6-foot-3, 250-pound pass rusher led the FBS with 16.5 sacks in 2016 but was limited to just eight games this past season due to an ankle injury. Through four seasons at Boston College, Harold Landry amassed a whopping 48 tackles for a loss, 25 sacks, and 10 forced fumbles.

He has the talent and size to succeed as an edge rusher in both a 3-4 and 4-3 base defense. One NFC pro personnel director compares him with the league’s 2016 sack leader Vic Beasley, via NFL Network.

"“He’s just like Beasley coming out with the way he comes off the snap. You remember how Beasley struggled early because he had to learn to be a pass rusher and not just a sprinter? I think Landry might be the same early on. When he puts it together, he’ll do what Beasley did.”"

Bettcher could surely utilize Landry’s skill-set, but he seems unlikely to end up in New York due to Big Blue’s draft positioning. Three out of four draft analysts for NFL Network have Landry being selected at the end of the first-round.

#4 – LSU EDGE Arden Key

Arden Key, Landry, and Nwosu could all be ideal fits for Big Blue in the second or third rounds, but the first two may not even make it to New York’s second-round selection (No. 34).

Key is arguably the biggest question mark among the edge rushers in this year’s class. He has an unbelievably high ceiling but struggled to stay consistent and dealt with multiple injuries through three seasons in Baton Rouge.

The Tigers 6-foot-6, 265-pound pass rusher spent time playing both defensive end and outside linebacker and would be a huge addition to Big Blue’s defense. But off-field question marks could lead Gettleman to pass on the star pass rusher even if he’s available at the top of the second-round.

At least one NFC scouting director questions his passion to succeed at the next level, via NFL Network.

"“You come back to the old question of what will a player do with more time and more money as a pro? Key’s background tells you it could be a big problem for him. Not only that, but he had seven sacks over the last two years where he didn’t have to beat the tackle.”"

Despite the off-field concerns, Key is highly unlikely to make it out of the second-round. He has too much talent. In the right system with the right coaching staff, he could flourish as a year-in and year-out Pro Bowler. NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks has him going as high as No. 14 to the Green Bay Packers.

#3 – UTSA EDGE Marcus Davenport

Marcus Davenport has quickly risen up draft analysts’ big boards following the Senior Bowl. The 6-foot-6, 255-pound defensive end amassed 37.5 tackles for a loss, 21.5 sacks, and six forced fumble in four seasons in San Antonio.

Jeremiah lists him as the 10th best overall player in this year’s class due to his “rare size, athleticism, and effort.” Three out of four draft analysts for NFL Network have the UTSA prospect going in the top 10. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has him going to the Green Bay Packers at No. 14 overall in his latest mock draft.

Unless the G-Men decide to trade back, Davenport is likely to end up elsewhere. But that doesn’t mean he won’t be on Big Blue’s draft board come April. Davenport has the ability to succeed as a 4-3 defensive end with his hand in the dirt or could excel as a 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level.

#2 – Virginia Tech OLB Tremaine Edmunds

The Hokies 6-foot-5, 250-pound linebacker could be the ideal replacement for Devon Kennard. Tremaine Edmunds has the talent and skill-set to play outside linebacker in either base formation and will immediately improve any defense he joins.

Over the past two seasons in the ACC, Edmunds racked up 30.5 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, and three forced fumbles. He will only be 20-years-old when he takes his first NFL snap. Jeremiah lists him as the third best prospect in this year’s draft class.

While some believe Edmunds is better suited as a 4-3 linebacker, the Hokies prospect is such a rare talent that he can succeed at multiple positions. Jeremiah writes that “he offers tremendous upside as an edge rusher.”

Kiper lists him as the eighth best overall prospect on his Big Board and writes that he has the ability to pressure quarterbacks on the outside or disrupt throwing lanes as an inside linebacker. Either way, some NFL team will be very happy to land the third-team All-American.

Edmunds may not be the best pure “pass rusher” in this year’s draft class, but his ability to fill so many roles would make him a perfect fit for Bettcher’s defense. The only problem is Big Blue is highly unlikely to use the No. 2 overall pick on a linebacker. Even on a prospect as versatile as Edmunds.

#1 – N.C. State DE Bradley Chubb

This should come as no surprise. Bradley Chubb is considered by most draft analysts the top pass rusher in this year’s class and is projected to be a top 10 pick.

Kiper lists him as the third best prospect in this year’s class. Jeremiah lists him fourth, just behind Edmunds. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound prospect is an ideal fit as a 4-3 defensive end but is talented enough to succeed as a 3-4 outside linebacker if needed.

Adding Chubb to Vernon and Pierre-Paul would give New York a dominant pass rush. But with needs along the offensive line, in the backfield, and at quarterback, it seems unlikely Gettleman would use the No. 2 overall pick on the N.C. State defensive end. Then again, remember what Gettleman said in his introductory press conference, via New York’s team website.

"“You can never have too many great players at one position. I mean, you think about us – we got (Michael) Strahan and Osi (Umenyiora) and we’re drafting (Justin) Tuck and we’re drafting (Mathias) Kiwanuka and people are looking at us like we have brain damage. You can never have too many great players at one position. So, I’ll get into that much, much later, but let’s see where we end up and which pick we have and we’ll go from there.”"

Chubb is definitely one of the best players in this year’s draft. He’s right up there with Edmunds, Saquon Barkley, Quenton Nelson, and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Over the past three seasons, he amassed an incredible 54.5 tackles for a loss, 25 sacks, and six forced fumbles.

Next: Why Nelson & Barkley Are Safest Choices For Big Blue