3 defensive players it’s not too late for NY Giants GM Joe Schoen to sign
By Reese Nasser
The NY Giants will be sending out a defense in 2022 that has undergone some major changes since last season. Headlined by the arrival of Oregon pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, the expectations will be high for this group. Newly hired defensive coordinator Don Martindale has already begun to change the culture.
But while the defense has added key additions, they have also lost several important pieces. The most notable area to suffer losses is the secondary. With the departures of Jabrill Peppers, James Bradberry and Logan Ryan, this group will rely heavily on younger players, unless they can add another player through free agency.
Another area where the Giants are lacking power is their linebacker core. The leader of the group, Blake Martinez, will be coming back from a torn ACL. Tae Crowder struggled at points last season but often looked to be the guy while Martinez was out. Rookies Micah McFadden and Darrian Beavers could potentially find themselves secured in the rotation of this group. Another veteran added could be crucial to their success.
Here are three defensive players the Giants could still sign
3. CB A.J. Bouye
Adding veteran cornerback A.J. Bouye could be a potential gamble for the Giants. At age 30, there’s a chance that he has already played the best football of his career.
Bouye is coming off of a solid 2021 season with the Carolina Panthers. He played in 10 games and started seven. He put out several noteworthy performances throughout last season. While his snap count varied every week, he played well when on the field. The most snaps he played last season was 79, while the least was 16.
He finished the season with a total of 28 tackles, two tackles for loss, and three passes defended. He was targeted 41 times and allowed 33 receptions for 301 yards and zero touchdowns.
If the Giants chose to bring Bouye in, it could be more as a rotational piece that serves more as a veteran voice. Bouye, a one-time Pro Bowler, has played at a high level for a long time. His ability to not only influence but also teach the younger players could be huge. While he still may not play at a high level, just getting him into the room could be a wise decision.