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NY Giants: 3 Pass rushers to target in free agency

By Charles Vitolo

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 21: Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after making a tackle against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 21: Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after making a tackle against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Dante Fowler (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
Dante Fowler (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

2. Dante Fowler

Another player that fits our ideal profile for the rebuilding NY Giants, former top-five draft pick Dante Fowler is hitting the free-agent market at the perfect time. After starting his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars and having varying levels of success, he was shipped off to the Rams and finally realized his massive potential in 2019.

Playing on a one-year ‘prove-it’ deal with the Rams (to the tune of $12M), Fowler surely did just that. The electric pass-rusher racked up 58 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 16 TFL, 16 QB hits, and 6 passes defended while playing in all 16 games. After tearing his ACL on the first day of rookie minicamp with the Jags in 2015, Fowler has shaken off the injury bug and missed just one game over the past four seasons.

Fowler figures to be a perfect fit in the NY Giants’ projected base 3/4 defense as he just had his best season playing in the same scheme with the Rams last season. For the times when Big Blue shifts into a 4/3, he has plenty of experience playing defensive end as that was where he played in college and with the Jaguars.

The former Florida Gator’s value on the open market is unknown, but it should be on the high end. The $12M the Rams just invested for one-year of Fowler’s services despite underwhelming play prior shows how NFL teams feel about him. Fowler can likely expect to be paid in that second-tier pass-rusher range and could get anywhere from $10-15M annually.

Hypothetical offer: 4 years/$50M ($27M GTD)

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