NFL rumors: The case for NY Giants signing Haason Reddick
Bolstering the pass rush must be a top organizational priority for the NY Giants this offseason, and soon to be free agent edge rusher Haason Reddick might be an ideal fit
The NY Giants got a first hand glimpse of how dominant Arizona Cardinals edge-rusher Haason Reddick can be, and he might just be an ideal fit for a defense in desperate need of upgrading its pass rush this offseason.
Back in Week 15, Reddick absolutely dominated the NY Giants’ offensive line, sacking quarterbacks Daniel Jones and Colt McCoy a career-high five times, adding a sixth quarterback hit, and forcing three fumbles.
In short, against the Giants, Reddick was unblockable.
Reddick, 26, is set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time on the heels of the most dominant season of his career. This season, Reddick produced 12.5 sacks, 63 total tackles, six forced fumbles, and 15 tackles for loss.
Pro Football Focus recently suggested one free agent that every team should try to sign this offseason, and Reddick was the outlet’s pick for the NY Giants:
"No New York Giants edge defender notched more than 20 total pressures this season. Nine edge rushers combined to generate just 81 total pressures, which is simply not enough in today’s NFL.Haason Reddick’s career got off to a slow start, as the team decided to move him off the ball and away from what he was so good at in college — rushing the passer. Reddick had 56 total pressures this season on 412 pass-rushing snaps, 26 of which came in the last month of the season. At the minimum, he would make for a formidable situational rusher to add to a defense that is stout against the run."
The Giants enter this offseason with approximately $7.5 million in cap space, according to OverTheCap,with the flexibility to create more before the new league year begins in March.
Next season, the Giants will be getting former third-round picks Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines back from injury, but both are legitimate question marks entering their fourth and third NFL seasons, respectively.
Bolstering the pass rush must be a top organizational priority for the Giants, to build on the relative success of coordinator Patrick Graham’s defense that was exploited down the stretch when forced the play zone coverage while rarely blitzing due to injuries at all three levels.
If the Giants can sign Reddick, it would certainly add a dominant edge presence to what has developed into a disruptive defensive line.
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Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.