This time of the year, a lot of NY Giants fans are focused on running back Saquon Barkley, quarterback Daniel Jones and safety Xavier McKinney. However, in addition to the offensive line, there are other positions general manager Joe Schoen needs to focus on improving. Pass-rush is surely on the list.
As much as people love Azeez Ojulari and his potential, injuries have plagued him in the past two seasons and he can't be counted on to stay healthy for a full campaign. So, could Bryce Huff be a suitable replacement to go to war with Kayvon Thibodeaux in the trenches? ESPN believes so.
Bryce Huff would be a splash free-agent signing for the NY Giants
In a new piece from ESPN's Matt Bowen, he likes the Giants going after Huff. Unfortunately, he has the Texans as an ideal landing spot for Barkley, but that's a conversation for another day. With Huff, he'd instantly improve the Big Blue pass-rush and help improve the defense overall. If the price is right, should the G-Men make a move here? We think so, as does Bowen.
"With a new defensive coordinator in Shane Bowen, the Giants would benefit from adding Huff -- a flamethrower off the edge -- to play opposite Kayvon Thibodeaux. Last season with the Jets, Huff produced 10 sacks and logged a pass rush win rate of 21.8% (eighth in the league). The Giants, meanwhile, were tied for 28th in sacks with 34."Matt Bowen
The Giants being near the very bottom for sacks was disappointing for the 2023 campaign. Thibodeaux was a total beast for former defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, posting 11.5 last fall and winter. That nearly tripled his total of four from his rookie season.
Other than Thibodeaux, however, there was no consistency on the outside. That's where Huff, coming off a brilliant year for the Jets, would come in. In '23, the 6-3, 255-pounder recorded 10 sacks and 29 total tackles. The 10 sacks were a new career high for him.
Once free agency opens up, Huff is sure to receive plenty of attention across the league. He was dominant at times last season and with the Jets having other needs, it feels unlikely that they'll be able to afford to sign him to an extension. With the Giants hoping to create more cap space by re-working deals - including Andrew Thomas and Dexter Lawrence - they could be in a spot to swing things with Huff. Adding him for Brian Daboll and Co. would be dynamite.