New York Giants: Romeo Okwara Picked As Must Underutilized Player
New York Giants defensive end Romeo Okwara is the most underutilized player on the roster according to Pro Football Focus and Jordan Ranaan of ESPN’s NFL Nation.
The New York Giants control their own destiny in terms of making the postseason. They are 6-3 thus far, sitting in the top Wild Card spot in the NFC. They have a chance to push that record up in the coming weeks against the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns on the docket.
They are two games the Giants, on paper, should be victorious in. Despite having only one game this season decided by more than eight points, both games have blowout potential. Neither the Bears or Browns, especially on the road, are especially strong.
As a result, we could see some backups log significant play counts as they try to sneak some rest for their starters. We have already seen the Giants begin to use their younger players more in the game plan and the results have paid off with two wins after the bye week.
Rookies Jerell Adams and Paul Perkins have seen their roles increase; could we see that happen for another youngster? Romeo Okwara would be the next in line for a boost in playing time.
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The undrafted rookie out of Notre Dame made the team with strong performances during training camp and in preseason games. He stood out in those games because of his sheet size, standing 6-feet-5 inches tall and weighing 265 pounds, but also because of his ability to get into the opponent’s backfield.
According to Pro Football Focus and Jordan Raanan of ESPN’s NFL Nation, Okwara has been the most underutilized player on the Giants’ roster this season. Here is what Pro Football Focus had to say about Okwara’s play thus far.
"Okwara has been strong against the run as a rookie, and he should see even more snaps on early downs to spell New York’s two workhorses at defensive end, Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon. Pierre-Paul has played 577 snaps (second in the NFL) and Vernon has played 549 (sixth in the NFL), so getting Okwara out there on early downs could help keep them fresh down the stretch."
Getting studs Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon would make sense. If the Giants want to make a difference come December and January they will need both of them on the field. But, taking them off the field is easier said than done.
While Okwara may play well against the run, it is also strengths of Pierre-Paul and Vernon. They are not one-dimensional defensive ends that only rush the passer; they also excel playing against the run.
Getting the duo some rest would be nice, but it does not seem to be in the cards right now. The Giants like the production they provide, and have other options they would rather use according to Ranaan.
"What the Giants liked about Okwara this summer was his ability to play with power and get after the passer. He has some talent but hasn’t produced much in his limited playing time to date. The Giants just don’t seem willing to ease up on Vernon and Pierre-Paul’s workload. Okwara played just nine snaps Monday night against the Bengals, and, unless there is an injury to Vernon or Pierre-Paul, his playing time will probably remain in that range for the rest of the season. Kerry Wynn is their preferred interior rusher on passing downs."
Kerry Wynn has a history of being productive for the Giants, so it makes sense that he is above Okwara on the depth chart. As Ranaan points out Okwara also hasn’t demonstrated the same production in the regular season as he did to earn his spot on the roster.
Maybe a lack of reps is a reason for that. The only way to find out would be giving Okwara more playing time, but it does not seem like something that will happen right now.
The Giants have a good thing going with their defensive line right now. Pierre-Paul and Vernon flanking Damon Harrison and Johnathan Hankins causes a lot of problems for opponents.
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But it would be disappointing to see them lose steam as the season goes on because they wear down. To avoid that the Giants may have to change course and give more snaps to players such as Okwara.