The New York Giants busy off-season and need for depth could pave the way for increased involvement for Romeo Okwara in 2018.
The tale of the undrafted gem proclaims less-coveted commodities hidden among the annual batch of emerging college talent.
Romeo Okwara has heralded the untapped traits capable of fulfilling that very criteria and materializing into a bargain contributor. This transformation comes as the revamped Big Blue defense enters a new chapter.
James Bettcher’s appointment as defensive coordinator has granted Okwara a fresh platform on which to market himself. This opportunity will come this summer that demands an aggressive resurgence from every player following a 3-13 campaign in 2017.
The introduction of the 3-4 system that worked so effectively for Bettcher in Arizona entails an open fight for opportunities. It may well play into the hands of the defensive end. An adjustment to the approach partially levels the playing field in regards to both veterans and inexperienced members of the roster vying for the quickest and most natural tactical adaptation.
For Okwara, this could mean a key positional change heading into the 2018 season.
2016 New York Giants Audition
Pre-season football continues to be tarnished with a notion of irrelevance and regular grimaces at the sight of key players enduring heavy collisions.
For a man in Okwara’s position, pre-season marked the timely opportunity to make himself the root of such grimaces. He began to exceed expectations before competitive football got underway.
"“Once you come out undrafted you’re pretty much at the bottom of the totem pole,” Okwara told NJ.com in 2016."
The Notre Dame product warranted a swift first team integration on the back of the nine tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble and five quarterback hits he registered in three pre-season outings.
Besides earning a mere $15,000 signing bonus and $12,500 in guarantees, Okwara showcased himself as potentially valuable backup to Steve Spagnuolo’s refurbished defensive line.
Were it not for the New York Giants’ defensive starters so bullishly spearheading their team to playoff football, it could have been a more prominent role in his rookie year.
More from NY Giants News
- Workout clip of Evan Neal training with former All-Pro OT has Giants fans excited
- NFL Draft Schedule of Events: How to Navigate Draft Weekend
- 4 NY Giants who must step their game up in 2023
- This SEC CB at No. 25 overall for the Giants is gaining steam
- When is the NFL Draft?
Week 14 staged a memorable first start when Okwara slotted in admirably for the injured Jason Pierre-Paul in a win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Relaxed conjectures of his productivity proceeded to fuel widespread praise after his team-high haul of eight tackles and a first career sack.
With the assist of elite coverage from his secondary, the defensive end displayed a blend of power, speed and agility to flatten Dak Prescott upon his efforts to step through the bodies on a second down.
It was a play met with applause from Olivier Vernon and raised eyebrows among satisfied Giants fans.
New York Giants rookie DE Romeo Okwara with his first career sack. #GMen #NotreDame #SNF pic.twitter.com/AEy6QvassS
— Matt Freeman (@mattfreemanISD) December 12, 2016
Fast forward to January and Okwara was offering more encouragement, this time refusing the pocket manoeuvres of Aaron Rodgers. Okwara registered a sack in the Wild Card defeat to the Green Bay Packers.
A modest season statistically, but one that previewed more regular involvement down the line.
Fresh start, new position?
Okwara’s efforts to build any momentum in 2017 were quashed when he was placed on the injured reserve. He suffered an ill-timed knee sprain.
A miserable season for the New York Giants was over by the time he was activated back onto the roster toward the end of December.
The off-season departure of Pierre-Paul has carved an opening for Okwara to flaunt himself as a viable provider of depth needed in 2018.
Philadelphia’s luxury to rotate their front seven on route to Super Bowl glory are envied in New York. In 2017, the Giants’ offensive woes resigned an injury-stricken defensive unit to gruelling periods on the field. Both units performed poorly.
Early off-season action has hinted at a job for Okwara as one of the Giants’ outside linebackers. This opportunity comes courtesy of his notable versatility.
His fierce burst and athleticism on the edge allow Okwara to be versatile. He can feed off of the opponents diverted in his direction by the likes of Damon Harrison.
In Bettcher’s three seasons with the Cardinals, his defense recorded the second-highest blitz rate in the NFL. A prospect of Okwara’s mobility could flourish in the 3-4 under construction in East Rutherford.