Over the past two weeks, the New York Giants have focused on improving their pass-rush unit, addressing a need created by the Dexter Lawrence trade.
On draft night, the G-Men used the fifth overall pick on Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, who is expected to play inside linebacker next to veteran Tremaine Edmunds. Big Blue’s linebacker room also includes Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Abdul Carter, Micah McFadden, Darius Muasau, and sixth-round pick Jack Kelly.
As for the Giants’ defensive line, the team has signed several veterans in the last week, such as DJ Reader, Shelby Harris, Leki Fotu, and claimed Zacch Pickens off of waivers. They also drafted Bobby Jamison-Travis and have Roy Robertson-Harris and Darius Alexander on the roster. Depth is not an issue for the Giants' front seven, which should make for an interesting training camp competition.
The Giants' pass-rush competition will be a main storyline this summer
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently wrote about the top NFL camp competitions following the draft, and you guessed it, the Giants’ linebacker and pass-rush competition was the obvious choice. Duh. I guess that's what happens when your team has a thousand pass-rushers on the roster.
Expanding on Knox’s analysis, the focus will be on how Reese will be used. The former Ohio State linebacker is versatile enough to play inside linebacker as a possible Bobby Okereke replacement next to Edmunds or potentially transition into a full-time edge rusher, following a path similar to Micah Parsons. Reese is often referred to as a chess piece, allowing the Giants to use him flexibly wherever needed.
The interesting thing will be how Reese’s play could affect Thibodeaux, who is entering a contract year and whose name has been circulating in trade rumors. If Reese excels in a pass-rushing role, it could affect Thibodeaux’s snap counts or even his value to the G-Men, especially with recent reports noting that the New Orleans Saints offered a second-round pick for Kayvon at the draft, but Big Blue declined.
As for the Giants’ defensive line, there will certainly be competition for starting opportunities. We can almost expect it to come down to Reader, Harris, Robertson-Harris, and Alexander. All are capable of making the team’s 53-man roster out of training camp. However, all eyes will be on John Harbaugh’s decision with this linebacker room.
This is a good problem to have if you're Harbaugh, because the G-Men have a lot of talent, all of whom are capable of succeeding and will have the opportunity to make a case for themselves to make the team, but not everyone can.
Regardless of who wins these positional battles at training camp, the Giants’ front seven on paper should be one of the most dangerous in all of football, which New York fans have seen before, going back to the Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Justin Tuck days.
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