New York Giants Draft Preview: Defensive Line
Will the New York Giants take the defensive line during the 2016 NFL Draft? We break down their current situation at the position heading into the draft and the likelihood of one being selected.
The New York Giants had a strong start to their offseason with a spending spree to start free agency. But, if the Giants want to truly have a great offseason, they will need to find some success in the NFL Draft beginning Thursday. The Giants have a few holes remaining that they would like to fill, and the draft will afford them that chance.
For this article and others to follow, we will break down the current outlook by position for the Giants, and how much of a need it will be heading into the 2016 NFL Draft. The sixth position we will take a look at is the defensive line.
Current Depth Chart:
Starting Defensive Line: DE Jason Pierre-Paul, DT Johnathan Hankins, DT Damon Harrison, DE Olivier Vernon
Backups: DE Owa Odighizuwa, DE Kerry Wynn, DE Brad Bars, DT Jay Bromley, DT Montori Hughes
The spending spree during free agency that the Giants went on was focused on the defensive line, as they found two new starters there. Olivier Vernon and Damon Harrison were two big catches in free agency as they will quickly upgrade a Giants’ defensive line that was in shambles last season. Along with the re-signing of Jason Pierre-Paul, the Giants now have one of the strongest defensive lines in the NFL.
While the starting lineup is now loaded, the backups could use a little punch. Kerry Wynn played well last season when pressed into action, and should still continue being a rotational player. Outside of him, the Giants are lacking any real depth.
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Jay Bromley and Owa Odighizuwa, the last two third round picks for the Giants, are players they will be counting on to step up this season. Odighizuwa was plagued by injuries his rookie season, playing in only four games. Bromley appeared in all 16 games last season and will probably see his role increase as Harrison is more of a two-down thumper against the run.
The Giants need the depth because they are unsure of what they will get from Jason Pierre-Paul. Pierre-Paul looked out of place at times last season, as his right hand was heavily bandaged in a club. He was unable to finish plays as he could not wrap up opponents, and picked up only one sack.
But, Pierre-Paul did grade out very well according to Pro Football Focus, as he applied constant pressure on the quarterback. He brought an added dimension to the Giants that was sorely missing, as he was able to get to the quarterback, he just couldn’t finish the play. Pierre-Paul does not seem to think that the struggles will repeat this season, as he is very confident in himself heading into offseason workouts.
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With the 10th overall pick the Giants may find it hard to hit value along the defensive line. Oregon’s DeForest Buckner and Ohio State’s Joey Bosa are the only two currently ranked in the top-10, but both are expected to be gone by the time the Giants are on the clock. Of the two, Buckner is most likely to fall to the Giants and if he does they should run their card up to the stand and announce the pick.
Buckner would fill in as a rotational player that can play the run and is a budding pass rusher and can learn from Pierre-Paul. He also gives the Giants insurance and another building block in case Pierre-Paul leaves as a free agent after this season.
Defensive end is not overly deep in this year’s draft class, so if one of the top guys do not slip the Giants will probably sit tight and wait to find a defensive lineman later in the draft. The real need for the Giants is a pass rusher, so they could address that need via outside linebacker.
If the Giants want to add depth to the defensive tackle position they could in the second round with Alabama’s A’Shawn Robinson. Ole Miss’ Robert Nkemdiche is also graded out around Robinson, but the red flags he brings with him will probably turn the Giants away.
Next: New York Giants Seven-Round Mock Draft
On a scale of 1-0, the likelihood of the Giants selecting a defensive lineman is pretty high at a seven. They may not address the position early on, but at some point they will look to add depth.