Even before trading Dexter Lawrence, the New York Giants knew that replacing their All-Pro defensive tackle was far easier said than done.
Arik Armstead could certainly go a long way in helping, though. Armstead, the No. 17 pick in 2015 and a highly-respected figure leaguewide, is entering his third season with the Jaguars. However, he turns 33 in November and is due $14 million in base salary.
Could the Jaguars be tempted to cut Armstead for salary reasons? Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay raised the idea, noting that Armstead's production and snap counts drastically declined over the season's final weeks.
“Keeping him around may be a luxury the Jags cannot afford, especially if he takes a step back after his best pass-rushing season in four years,” Kay wrote.
Armstead finished with 5 ½ sacks, the fourth time since 2019 he's recorded at least five sacks.
Should the Giants target Arik Armstead if the Jaguars cut him?
As of June 24, there is no indication that the Jaguars intend to trade or cut Armstead ahead of Week 1.
Armstead would be the latest veteran addition to a Giants defensive line room that already added D.J. Reader and Shelby Harris this offseason.
However, Roy Robertson-Harris’ Achilles injury creates a need for added depth. Bobby Jamison-Travis, a sixth-round pick from Auburn, spent OTAs working with the third-team defense.
Armstead can still create havoc in the backfield, and his seven tackles for a loss were his most since 2021. He had nine TFLs in 38 games over the previous three seasons.
Barring injuries to Reader or Harris, the Giants would not need Armstead to play a significant amount of snaps. He could instead contribute off the bench as a rotational option for John Harbaugh and Dennard Wilson.
However, the Giants must pursue Armstead only if the Jaguars cut him or if they’re willing to eat part of his contract via trade. Investing nearly $15 million into an aging defensive tackle in his final year of team control isn’t worth the risk or financial commitment.
Given his age and contract situation, a preseason trade involving Armstead feels extremely unlikely. If the Jaguars underwhelm and enter the trade deadline as sellers, that’s a different conversation entirely.
Assuming that he were to hit free agency, Armstead checks every box the Giants should have in a new defensive tackle. He might not be Lawrence, but he’d likely help far more than an untested rookie in Jamison-Travis.
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