3 Hidden Gems on the NY Giants Roster

Tae Crowder, Inside Linebacker

For years, Giants’ fans have clamored for a 1st round linebacker. It has been 37 years since they last did that, selecting Carl Banks in the 1st Round of the 1984 Draft.

Well, Tae Crowder proved that taking a linebacker in a later round could work too. In fact, Tae Crowder was Mr. Irrelevant in 2020. His game performances in his rookie season were anything but irrelevant.

Crowder played in 11 games, missing five games with a hamstring injury. Crowder’s shining moment was taking the game-winning fumble recovery to the end zone to take the lead for good in the 4th quarter of the Giants’ first win of the season in Week 6.

Crowder came up with 57 tackles, a sack on Russell Wilson, three tackles for a loss, and three QB hits for a guy who wasn’t even sure to make the roster. That’s a pretty good return for any Day 3 draft choice, especially in year one.

If Crowder can handle pass coverage duties alongside Blake Martinez, he could start in this defense. It’s been a while since the Giants had a fast, rangy middle linebacker who’s instinctive and can make plays. Crowder can be that guy and it will be exciting to watch him break out in 2021.