The NY Giants signed former Washington Football Team linebacker Ryan Anderson Tuesday, further bolstering depth along the front-seven, at a bargain price.
News of Anderson’s signing, a one-year veteran minimum pact worth $987,500, was first reported by ESPN’s Field Yates.
Anderson, 26, will have the chance to compete for a roster spot, perhaps even a starting job, and contribute on special teams. It seems the NY Giants made fortifying linebacker depth a priority this offseason, after choosing Cam Brown, Carter Coughlin, T.J. Brunson, and Tae Crowder in Rounds 6-7 of last spring’s NFL Draft.
In four seasons in Washington, Anderson started four games while producing 86 total tackles, six sacks, seven tackles for loss, and 15 quarterback hits.
Anderson’s most productive season was 2019, when he produced a career-high four sacks, generated 23 total pressures and Pro Football Focus gave him a 67.9 pass-rush grade.
Last season, a knee injury cut Anderson’s season short when he was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 15, but he did play 145 defensive snaps and 129 special teams plays, which could offer a glimpse of his potential playing time breakdown for the NY Giants.
With the NY Giants, Anderson has the chance to play off the edge, and should be given the opportunity to compete for meaningful snaps immediately.
Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.