The NY Giants could field a nice linebacker corps this year. Here’s why.
The NY Giants have had some issues at linebacker for the better part of the 2010s decade.
However, the Giants are set with a variety of young and veteran options off the EFGE and on the inside, entering the 2021 season and beyond.
The NY Giants have made drafting linebackers a priority in recent seasons. The team has found a few diamonds in the rough with later-round picks such as Tae Crowder, Cam Brown, and Carter Coughlin. They are now set to welcome two more 2021 mid-round picks in Azeez Ojulari and Elerson Smith.
New York also added more linebackers in free agency.
Blake Martinez was a godsend for the Giants in 2020 and they’ve now added a quality depth ‘backer in Reggie Ragland. Both guys can lead the defense and command the front seven from the second level of the field.
For the first time in a while, there are no major weaknesses, concerns, or obvious openings at any linebacker position. The NY Giants are stocked with choices from rookies to second-year players, 3rd/4th-year guys coming off injuries in Oshane Ximines and Lorenzo Carter, and two veteran EDGE presences in Ryan Anderson and Ifeadi Odenigbo.
This won’t be the 80s ‘Crunch Bunch’ with Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson, Brad Van Pelt, and Brian Kelley, but they should be plenty serviceable enough.
If the NY Giants can get consistent returns from their linebackers in stopping the run, rushing the passer, and defending the pass, their defense could truly be spectacular in 2021.
Here’s a look at the NY Giants’ linebackers in 2021 and why they could surprise many this year.
NY Giants’ Linebackers’ Depth Chart
Starting Inside Linebackers: Blake Martinez & Tae Crowder
Starting Edge Rushers: Lorenzo Carter and Azeez Ojulari
Depth Inside Linebackers: Reggie Ragland, Carter Coughlin,
Depth Edge Rushers: Cam Brown, Ifeadi Odenigbo, Ryan Anderson, Elerson Smith, Oshane Ximines
The NY Giants appear set depth-wise at both linebacker spots.
Both the inside and the outside spots should have strong options to choose from. Right now, it seems likely that Lorenzo Carter will return to his starting job on one side of the ball from last year. Blake Martinez is the only lock to start at any ‘backer position.
Tae Crowder has taken most of the first-team reps alongside Martinez this offseason. Crowder played well last year and showed he can handle a larger role than expected. Crowder should get the first crack at the starting inside gig with his experience in the system, his impressive play from last season, and his further potential to be further untapped in this defense.
On the edges, Carter should start if healthy.
He’s in the 4th and final year of his rookie contract and he needs to prove himself capable of being an NFL starter. The other EDGE rusher spot is one of the top position battles that will arise in training camp. It could really be anyone but for now, that spot goes to Azeez Ojulari. His resume and track record in college in the SEC provide hope and optimism he can be the Giants’ top rusher this year and hopefully for many years to come after.
Guys such as Oshane Ximines, Cam Brown, Ifeadi Odenigbo, and Elerson Smith will push Ojulari for that same starting spot. The Giants finally have some exciting and intriguing players to pick and choose from their linebacking heap.
Why the NY Giants’ Linebackers Will Break Out in 2021
The NY Giants need strong and efficient play from their linebackers in 2021.
The defense is set to have the linebackers funnel space and eat up tacklers from any point sideline-to-sideline. They have important responsibilities in pass coverage and pass-rushing that have hamstrung many New York defenses for the last 10 years.
This season should look different. There aren’t any low-quality players starting in spots they shouldn’t, they have guys that can consistently make tackles now, they have guys in place for pass coverage situations, they’ve stocked up on young pass rushers, and they have a healthy blend of veterans in place to help out and succeed in rotating spots.
This group should be very solid albeit not spectacular. There aren’t many big names outside Martinez and Ojulari (for rookie standards), but this group should be able to get the job done in most given weeks. Martinez is the team’s best linebacker in any capacity since Antonio Pierce. Tae Crowder had the best season of a Giants’ rookie linebacker in quite a while, while 6th round guys such as Coughlin and Cam Brown look to be key reserve pieces of the future.
It’s been a while since the NY Giants could truly feel good about their second-level of the defense. They are now stocked with healthy players and a good blend of unique abilities and player characteristics. If the group comes together and gels, it could be the best Giants linebackers’ unit since 2016 and help take this defense over the top and make the NY Giants a playoff team once again.