New York Giants: Top 10 needs after FA signings, trades
By Henry Buggy
#8 – Inside Linebacker
The Giants have seven linebackers listed on their current roster, including recently signed outside linebacker Kareem Martin. It’s already known that Ogletree will start at inside linebacker in Bettcher’s defense.
He has experience in both 4-3 and 3-4 defenses. Ogletree recorded 95 tackles, 10 passes defended, two sacks, and an interception in his first season in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense.
Bettcher will look to take advantage of the 6-foot-2, 235-pound linebacker’s skill set, but it’s still unclear who will be starting alongside Ogletree in 2018.
B.J. Goodson is considered the frontrunner for the starting role. That doesn’t mean Gettleman won’t add competition to the inside linebacker position in the upcoming draft.
Goodson was limited to seven starts this past season due to an ankle injury. The fourth-round pick out of Clemson has shown some promise in his first two seasons but has been a liability in pass coverage.
Goodson wants to be a part of the franchise’s turnaround. He will need to stay healthy and prove he can earn the starting role in training camp and the preseason.
The Giants will have plenty of opportunities to add an inside linebacker in this year’s draft. While players like Roquan Smith and Rashaan Evans will likely be off the board before New York’s second-round pick, Big Blue will have options in the mid-rounds should they choose to address the position.
Leighton Vander Esch, Josey Jewell, Darius Leonard, Malik Jefferson, and Micah Kiser are some options that could fit nicely next to Ogletree.
The Giants also have Calvin Munson and Ray-Ray Armstrong under contract. Neither player is considered an upgrade over Goodson. But Kelvin Sheppard could a player to keep an eye on.
The Giants re-signed the seven-year veteran midseason. He started six games down the stretch and recorded 49 tackles, four passes defended, and two interceptions. Sheppard is currently an unrestricted free agent but a return on team-friendly contract is surely not out of question. It will depend on New York’s salary cap decisions in the coming weeks and months.
If Gettleman decides not to add another inside linebacker to the roster in the draft or free agency, it likely means Big Blue’s front office and coaching staff believe Goodson can fill the role.