3 changes the NY Giants must make in order to save their season

Number 2: Bolstering the linebacker core

After tackling machine Blake Martinez went out with a torn ACL in week 3 the NY Giants’ linebacker core has not been the same.

While the NY Giants have multiple players who excel at making tackles in the open field like Tae Crowder and Reggie Ragland, the both struggle mightily in coverage.

The best way the Giants can fix their issues at the linebacker position is by making a trade or by signing someone in free agency.

Here are some players the NY Giants should consider bringing in to help bolster their linebacker core:

Sign Benardrick McKinney

I believe the best move the Giants can make would be to bring in veteran linebacker Benardrick McKinney.

In Benardrick McKinney’s last full healthy season in 2019, he tallied 101 total tackles and 4 tackles for loss.

The only problem with McKinney is that he also tends to struggle in coverage, allowing an 89.7% completion percentage and 5 TD’s in 2019.

McKinney could be used in the inside linebacker slot to allow a player like Tae Crowder to get more rest or focus more on coverage.

(Update: the NY Giants signed McKinney to their practice squad on 10/18/21) 

Search the trade market for available players

Another way the Giants can fix their linebacker core is by searching for players that could become available via. trade. Players on rebuilding teams like Deion Jones, C.J Mosley, or D’onta Hightower.

While the Giants can not make these moves with only draft picks due to a lack of cap space, they can add contracts they do not want if a team is willing to take it on.

For example, Nate Solders horrific contract ends at the end of the 2022 season. If a rebuilding team is willing to take on his contract for an extra year along with some draft picks, in exchange for a solid coverage linebacker the Giants should make that move.