Why the NY Giants pass rush might be better than experts are predicting
By Matt Clark
3. Kyler Fackrell
When the NY Giants signed former Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell to a one-year, $4.6 million deal, most Giants fans likely responded by questioning who Fackrell was. That can be expected after Fackrell had a somewhat forgettable 2019 campaign that saw him record 23 total tackles, one sack, and ten quarterback hits in limited action.
However, when digging deeper, it is easy to see why Fackrell’s numbers weren’t all that impressive last year. The Packers signed high profile free agent linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith prior to the 2019 season. As a result, Fackrell saw his snap count significantly reduced by almost 20% from the previous season, going from playing on 59% of the defensive plays in 2018 to 40% of the plays in 2019.
During the 2018 season, Fackrell would register 42 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, 12 tackles for a loss, and 12 quarterback hits in seven games started for Green Bay. It is important to note that during his breakout campaign in 2018, his linebackers coach with the Packers was Patrick Graham, who is the new defensive coordinator for the Giants.
The 28-year-old Fackrell signing is reminiscent of the Giants signing of Markus Golden’s prior to the 2019 season. Golden was also 28-years-old when the Giants signed him to a one-year “show me” deal. Golden was two seasons removed from a 12.5 sack breakout year with the Arizona Cardinals under defensive coordinator James Bettcher, who had been named defensive coordinator for the Giants under Pat Shurmur. Golden would reward the Giants for their faith by leading the team in sacks last season with 10.
It isn’t a stretch to believe that Fackrell could potentially be the 2020 version of Markus Golden. His prior success with getting after the quarterback and his familiarity with new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham could be just what he needs to get him back on track. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the under-the-radar free agent signing Fackrell record double-digit sacks next season behind the stout defensive line and with the vastly improved secondary.
Speaking of Markus Golden…..