NFL insider thinks NY Giants should sign this veteran LB before training camp starts
For a while now, NY Giants fans have been calling for general manager Joe Schoen to go out and make a move to help out the secondary. People have their eyes on Schoen inking a veteran cornerback to help out the unit, as the CB room really took a hit once James Bradberry was released and signed with the Eagles.
However, could the team end up going after a different kind of player before training camp arrives later this month? That may be the case. If you ask Pro Football Focus’ NFL insider Doug Kyed, he actually thinks Schoen and Co. should shift their focus to a veteran linebacker. In his piece writing up one trade or free agent each team should go after, Kyed likes NY signing former Ravens ‘backer L.J. Fort.
NY Giants linked with signing linebacker L.J. Fort
"“The best years of Fort’s NFL career came in Baltimore under defensive coordinator Don Martindale, who now heads the Giants’ unit,” Kyed wrote about Ford. “Fort could slot in as a starter next to Blake Martinez.”"
Fort indeed used to play under the direction of new Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, which could make this an interesting move. Fort wouldn’t break the bank in terms of a new deal, as the Giants do have some extra cap space to work with thanks to releasing Bradberry and several others earlier this year.
The addition of Fort would make sense for this team’s defense, as there’s not a ton of depth for the linebackers either. With that said, the general feeling is that people would be much happier if Schoen were to target a cornerback instead of a linebacker, with options like former Green Bay Packers second-round pick Kevin King still available. What about A.J. Bouye? He could be a strong addition as well.
It remains to be seen what Schoen ends up doing before training camp does arrive, but it’s no secret that he needs to be aggressive in free agency and make a move or two to further help out this roster. It’s obviously been a busy few months for the new GM in mixing up the roster, but there’s still more wore that needs to be done. Per Kyed, signing Fort would be a wise decision for New York. We’ll see if Schoen ends up listening to him.