The New York Giants linebacker corps took a big hit last season when signal-caller Blake Martinez went down Week 3 and was sidelined the entire year with a torn ACL, last season
The New York Giants will get some welcomed stability thanks to the return of Blake Martinez, but the rest of the linebacking corps could be in state of flux.
Tae Crowder stepped up to fill the hole left by Martinez, last season, and showed flashes of potential in doing so.
A notable departure to the Giants linebacker room was Lorenzo Carter, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons after spending all four seasons of his NFL career so far in New York.
New York had a cash strapped free agency, but still managed to sign some notable players namely Guard Mark Glowinski and backup Quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
The New York Giants so far haven’t been involved in attempting to sign any of the big money marquee free agents.
All focus now is on the 2022 NFL Draft, where the New York Giants have a boatload of picks, which include two in the first round.
There’s a high chance that one of those picks could be spent on a linebacker, which could change how the position group looks next season.
Let’s take a look at what the New York Giants’ linebackers could look like in 2022
Azeez Ojulari
One of the better players for the Giants in 2021 was the rookie edge rusher Azeez Ojulari who by rookie standards, had a pretty strong year, finishing the season with forty-nine tackle’s, eight sacks and one forced fumble.
Ojulari’s eight sacks in his rookie year is now a new franchise record, surpassing BJ Hills 5.5 sacks in 2018.
The former Georgia Bulldog managed to creep into the defensive rookie of the year conversation, all be it being a long shot.
Ojulari has rightfully earned his starting spot for the G-MEN in 2022, and it’s hard to argue otherwise.
Jermaine Johnson
Starting opposite Ojulari at the other outside linebacker spot was a hard choice to make.
In recent weeks, talks of Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeux potentially being available on the board as low as pick seven have started to heat up.
Although an amazing fit for the Giants defense, I just don’t see him dropping that far.
Instead, there’s a case to be made for Florida State defender, Jermaine Johnson.
The big six foot five 254 pound edge rusher was one of the most impactful defensive playmakers in the country in 2021.
Johnson was by far the best player on the field for the Seminoles’ last year, and boasts a variety of pass rushing moves he uses to pursuit the Quarterback, and he also possesses the size and length that will translate to the National Football League (NFL).
Blake Martinez
At the middle linebacker spot, Blake Martinez returns as the ‘Mike’ and signal caller for the Giants defense.
The departure of veteran presence Logan Ryan and potentially James Bradberry, means more leadership is going to be carried by someone like Martinez.
New defensive Co-ordinator Don Martindale brings a new defensive scheme to the Giants, and someone that’s known for being reliable like Martinez will be called upon to to lead the defense.
Martinez’s season was drastically cut short in 2021, suffering a torn ACL which sidelined him majority of the year.
The former Packer was fourth in the league for most tackles in 2020 and expectations are that he still has the ability to provide a similar impact again in 2022.
Tae Crowder
Martindale might want bring in one of his guys from Baltimore that knows his system well, but I think Tae Crowder held the fort down well enough last season to keep his spot on the depth chart.
With Martinez out most of last year, Crowder stood in and was up and down at times but ended up making some positive plays for the Giants defense, most notably wrapping up the 2021 campaign with two interceptions.
Crowder showed that he can have a future as a starter in the NFL, after entering the league as the final pick of the 2020 NFL Draft and crowned ‘Mr Irrelevant’.
Martindale might see some potential in crowder at the linebacker position and may look to run it back with him starting next season.
The most notable addition to the linebacker group in 2022 would be that extra edge threat who can rush the pass rusher, complimenting Azeez Ojulari, and freeing up the big money investment on the inside, Leonard Williams.