New York Giants: Whatever it takes to re-sign Landon Collins

New York Giants safety Landon Collins’ rookie contract is set to expire next month. Here’s why the Giants must do whatever it takes to re-sign him.

Landon Collins has been part of the New York Giants since Big Blue selected him with the 33rd overall draft pick in 2015. From the moment he first stepped on the practice field, he has been a leader on their defense. Unfortunately, his initial contract with the Giants is about to expire. General Manager Dave Gettleman has to pull out all the stops in order to bring his All-Pro safety back to the fold for the next several seasons. Heres why.

Numbers don’t lie

In four NFL seasons, Collins has recorded 108, 125, 99, and 96 combined tackles respectively. Those totals have led the Giants in each year. Collins probably would have broken his single-season record had he not missed the final quarter of the 2018 season with a shoulder injury, however, 96 was still good for 11th among all defensive backs in the league and 45th overall.

Compared to other safeties in the league, Collins stacks up well. Before last season, the Associated Press had him ranked second behind Harrison Smith of Minnesota. Pro Football Weekly and Pro Football Focus also had Smith and Collins first and second.

That places the 25-year-old from Alabama ahead of some exceptional players. Safeties such as Eric Berry, Malcolm Jenkins, and Earl Thomas III don’t reach the same mark. How would the Giants replace his type of production? The short answer is, they can’t.