3. NY Giants inside linebacker Micah McFadden
Micah McFadden was a fifth-round pick out of Indiana in the 2022 NFL Draft and is currently competing with fellow draft classmate, Darrian Beavers, for the Giants’ second inside linebacker position. Despite Beavers being listed as the No. 2 linebacker on the G-Men’s first unofficial depth chart opposite Bobby Okereke, Wink Martindale said ahead of the win over Carolina that McFadden is ahead in the battle.
Beavers Missed last season with a torn ACL, which allowed McFadden to gain a year’s worth of NFL playing experience over Beavers. McFadden played in all 17 games for Big Blue last season, starting in seven. Like Pinnock, McFadden did himself a favor by performing well in the first preseason game vs. the Lions. PFF gave him a grade of 90.5 in the 21-16 loss.
At 6-1, McFadden is slightly undersized for a linebacker. What he lacks in size, he more than makes up for with his speed and ability to read the field. He was a highly productive college football player and spent two years as a team captain. His leadership traits are a valuable contribution that could help further separate him from Beavers in their competition to be the team’s second inside linebacker.