New GM Joe Schoen will be tasked with overseeing an overdue rebuild for the New York Giants, primarily through the NFL Draft, beginning this spring
The New York Giants will likely begin an overdue rebuild with general manager Joe Schoen aiming to clear $40 million in new cap space this offseason, from a roster that has many glaring holes.
So it goes, for an organization that just suffered through five consecutive double-digit loss campaigns.
But, with Schoen and new head coach Brian Daboll in tow, there’s a good chance that the Giants will follow the Buffalo Bills’ blueprint to building through the draft. Each of the past five seasons, the Bills invested at least one pick in the first two rounds of the draft in an offensive lineman, defensive lineman, or pass-rusher.
The belief in Buffalo, that Schoen seems to share, is protecting your quarterback and relentlessly pressuring your opponent is the key to sustained success.
But, the New York Giants have holes throughout the roster, and as Pro Football Focus points out, none are as glaring as the weaknesses along the interior of the offensive line or in the linebacking corps:
"New York Giants: Interior offensive lineman, linebacker, EDGE rusher Some teams have several needs listed but may only have one that is pressing. For New York, these three position groups are all massive issues. The interior offensive line ranked dead last in unit pass-block grade, the linebacker corps was the third-lowest-graded and the edge group ranked fourth-to-last in pass-rush grade. The cap situation is a disaster for the Giants, but they are rich in draft capital, anchored by two top-10 picks."
Unfortunately for the New York Giants, offensive linemen and linebackers are premium positions in free agent market, and New York currently sits approximately $5 million over the salary cap, which could lead Schoen to target the biggest needs through the draft.
Heres a look at top prospects at each of the New York Giants’ biggest positions of need
Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Given Nick Gates’ uncertain future after suffering a debilitating leg injury last season, the New York Giants will likely prioritize the center position, and might have the chance to land the premier prospect with one of their two top-10 picks.
Linderbaum, six-foot-3 and 290 pounds, is a mauler in the running game and has been an anchor along the Hawkeyes’ offensive line since his arrival in Iowa City.
Drawing some comparisons to Philadelphia Eagles future Hall of Famer Jason kelce, Linderbaum allowed only two sacks over his three seasons as a starter, including not allowing a single sack in 2020.
This past season, Linderbaum produced a career-high 95.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, including a 96.6 run-blocking mark.
Given the Bills’ prioritizing building the offensive line through the draft during Schoen’s time in Buffalo and the glaring need along the interior of the Giants’ line, it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising if Linderbaum winds up one of New York’s two first-round picks.
Other top interior offensive lineman prospects: Kenyon Green, Texas A&M, Darian Kinnard, Kentucky, Zion Johnson, Boston College
George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
It’s no secret the New York Giants’ pass-rush has underperformed over the past half-decade.
Buffalo prioritized the edge during the NFL Draft, selecting the likes of Ed Oliver, Tremaine Edmunds, A.J. Epenesa, and Greg Rousseau in the first-round since 2018, which could be a blueprint the Giants will follow in 2022.
Karlaftis, 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds, produced 25 solo tackles this season with 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles as one of the Boilermakers’ most dominant defenders.
Karlaftis could easily walk into a starting role on a New York Giants defense that has lacked a dominant edge presence for the past several years.
Other top EDGE rushers: Travon Walker, Georgia, Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State, Jermaine Johnson, Florida State, Jesse Luketa, Penn State
Devin Lloyd, Utah
Blake Martinez injury left a void in the middle of the New York Giants’ defense last season.
While young players such as Cam Brown and Tae Crowder could push for starting inside linebacker roles in 2022, it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising if Schoen targets high impact players at the position early in the draft.
Lloyd, 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, has tremendous ball-skills and has shown tremendous upside covering tight ends and running backs out of the backfield, an area New York could certainly use an upgrade.
Last season, Lloyd produced an 82.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, while adding a career-high 90 tackles and interception four passes while only allowing one touchdown in coverage.
Lloyd’s physicality as a thumper and in coverage, could put him high on the Giants’ board given the needs on defense.