New York Giants: Five players on defense who could surprise in camp
By Ed Stein
No. 3 – RJ McIntosh, defensive end
A product of “The U,” RJ McIntosh was selected in the fifth round (139 overall) last year by the G-Men. Good sized and athletic, the defensive tackle made 99 tackles, 22 for loss over his final two seasons at Miami. Last year, a still undisclosed illness kept him out of action from the time he was drafted until the final six games of the regular season.
Going into the draft, he was projected to go somewhere between the second and fourth rounds. Scouts loved his athleticism and his ability to play the three-technique (lined up between guard and tackle). He gets off the ball quickly as he can move a blocker to make plays against the run. McIntosh is versatile enough to play tough inside, but is also quick enough to play the defensive end position.
The second year man will need to get stronger so he can be more effective. At times he can get handled playing even up with a lineman. That causes him to get drive blocked against the run and set aside against the pass. His critics say he can be invisible for long periods of a game against better O-lines.
No. 2 – Tae Davis, linebacker
Tae Davis is another member of the New York Giants 2018 undrafted free agent class. It’s been an odd journey for the Oxford, AL native. A position switch before his senior year of college propelled him to the big time. Davis started his college career as a safety at Tennessee-Chattanooga. Six years later he’s an NFL linebacker for Big Blue.
Last season, Davis played in 14 games, starting in four. The G-Men will look for him to improve in 2019 as he continues to learn the linebacker position at the highest level. One thing is for certain Davis posses the athletic skills to excel. He has both the speed and the agility to stand out. Throughout his time with the team, he has impressed the coaching staff with his willingness to play physical.
Davis may play physical, but at 6-3, 215 pounds, he is a bit underweight for his position. Additionally, he needs to improve on covering routes out of the backfield.