As we’ve said multiple times over the past few weeks, NY Giants general manager Joe Schoen is going to be a busy man this offseason. There are several big moves he needs to make to try and help improve the roster. It goes without saying, but the Big Blue linebackers were tough to watch last campaign.
Making serious changes for the LBs room should be near the top of the list for Schoen, in addition to figuring things out with Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. Well, how about a stud linebacker making his way from the AFC South to the NFC East? That’s what Pro Football focus thinks will happen for David Long.
NY Giants signing LB David Long would be a great move by Joe Schoen
"“The Giants just had one of the league’s worst linebacker rooms, starting a playoff game with Jaylon Smith and Jarrad Davis,” PFF wrote on NY potentially signing him. “They desperately need to upgrade the position, and Long would be that guy. In the regular season, Long posted the seventh-best run stop percentage among all linebackers, while recording a 1.1-yard average depth of tackle (best). The Giants’ run defense was pretty bad in 2022, so adding Long would help to shore that part of the defense up heading into 2023.”"
While Long is a young and fun LB to watch, he also has a bit of an injury history that could raise some red flags for teams showing interest. In 2021, he was only able to suit up for 10 games. Last season, he played in 12 games for the Titans. Despite missing so much time last campaign, Long was still able to record 86 total tackles and five pass deflections.
He may not be a big name compared to some others out there, but Long would be a major improvement for what fans saw out on the field in ’22. No disrespect to Jaylon Smith and Jarrad Davis, but they have no business starting meaningful games for the G-Men.
Someone like Long should be out there instead. Once free agency arrives, we’ll see if PFF is spot on or not with their prediction about Long and a move to East Rutherford.
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