3 NY Giants who must step up with Jarrad Davis undergoing knee surgery
By Zak Musso
Training camp hasn't even started yet, and the injuries have started in New York. The NY Giants were dealt some troubling news on Tuesday, as Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reported veteran inside linebacker Jarrad Davis would be out for the "long-term" after he had surgery for an undisclosed injury. It has since been revealed that it was knee surgery.
This offseason, the Giants addressed their four biggest needs: interior offensive line, receiver, cornerback, and inside linebacker. However, the depth at ILB continues to be a concern and things were only made worse with the Davis update.
Joe Schoen could still opt to sign a veteran ILB off the street to replace the veteran Davis, who had been receiving the majority of the first team reps at ILB aside Bobby Okereke this spring, but it's likely the Giants will look internally for his replacement. Here are three Giants who must step up in Davis' absence.
3. LB Micah McFadden
Micah McFadden, a 2022 fifth-round pick out of Indiana, will likely receive the first crack at replacing Davis. In 2022, McFadden racked up 59 tackles, 36 of which were solo tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble.
It would be fair to say it was a rocky rookie campaign for McFadden. PFF gave McFadden a dreadful 38.7 grade, 77th out of 81 qualified inside linebackers. McFadden was behind Jaylon Smith and Tae Crowder on the depth chart early in the season, limiting him to 435 snaps.
The most positive aspect of McFadden's 2022 season was his pass-rushing. McFadden received an adequate 66.3 pass-rush grade from PFF. McFadden has a track record of success rushing the passer, as he did rack up 14 sacks and 37 tackles for loss in his college career. Rushing the passer is integral in Wink Martindale's blitz-heavy system
McFadden struggled in pass coverage last season, but the Giants can somewhat cover that up by playing McFadden as the SAM or strongside linebacker with Okereke. McFadden will surely need to step his game up.