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New York Giants add depth at safety and defensive end

By Kenneth Teape

Oct 9, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Washington Redskins strong safety Duke Ihenacho (29) celebrates after breaking up a pass intended to Baltimore Ravens tight end Crockett Gillmore (not pictured) during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Washington Redskins strong safety Duke Ihenacho (29) celebrates after breaking up a pass intended to Baltimore Ravens tight end Crockett Gillmore (not pictured) during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Giants added some depth to safety and the defensive line with Duke Ihenacho and Devin Taylor.

The New York Giants began OTA’s this week. It is another chance for players to catch the attention of the coaching staff and earn a spot on the roster. The Giants saw some of these players at rookie minicamp and decided that they should bring in some more veterans.

The Giants added some more depth to their defense this week. They added veterans to their defensive line and safety. At safety, they signed Duke Ihenacho, formerly of the Washington Redskins. Along the defensive line, the Giants signed Devin Taylor, formerly of the Detroit Lions.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport shared the Ihenacho signing via his Twitter account. ProFootballTalk shared the Taylor signing on their Twitter account.

Ihenacho is an interesting signing for the Giants. He gives them another veteran at safety to potentially pair with Landon Collins. Ihenacho started 10 games for the Redskins last season, appearing in 15 total.

Ihenacho graded out poorly last season according to Pro Football Focus with a 62.7, finishing 78th out of 90 qualifiers. But in 2015 he graded out well with a 79.6. Ihenacho also plays well against the pass, something the Giants could use. Finding a player that could help as much as Ihenacho this late in free agency is rare.

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Ihenacho will give the Giants insurance in case more injuries occur at safety. Depth is always important, and now the Giants should have plenty with Andrew Adams and Darian Thompson also in the fold.

Along the defensive line, the Giants also found more veteran depth in Taylor. Taylor struggled according to Pro Football Focus, grading out as the third-worst edge defender regardless if the player qualified or not.

But, it was not long ago that Taylor was productive. He graded out well as a rookie and in his third season, but struggled in his second and fourth. If his alternating seasons continue, the Giants will have found a good pass rusher.

Taylor registered seven sacks in 2015, playing in 15 games but starting none. He received the starting job in 2016 but struggled, as he had fewer sacks and tackles despite starting all 16 games.

Putting him in the rotation behind Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon could put him in a position to succeed once again. Depth behind their starting defensive ends has been a problem, so hopefully, Taylor can help fill that need.

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There are no guarantees that Ihenacho and Taylor remain on the roster through the offseason. There are plenty of young guys on the roster that the Giants like and could be held instead of the veterans. But for now, at least on paper, the Giants have added two players that could help them come September.

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