3 Free Agents the Giants Should Still Sign Before the Draft

David Mayo, LB, Washington Commanders

The Giants linebackers room has a collection of players, but few are destined to make the 53-man roster by the end of the summer. The team will need to stock up on another depth player that can produce and David Mayo is one of those candidates. 

A former Giant and recent member of the Washington Commanders, Mayo brings a good mix of experience and performance that can help a linebacker group that is headlined by Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden. Both have been stalwarts for the Giants so far, but there is always a need for depth and rest snaps for that duo. 

Playing with New York from 2019-2020, Mayo was one of the highest tacklers on the roster, posting 111 total tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles as shining piece in a rebuilding franchise. Since joining Washington in 2021, he’s only missed five games and just came off a second-best 59-tackle season with two sacks in 2023 that finished eighth on the team and fourth among linebackers. 

Mayo can fit into both pass rush and run defense heavy schemes and graded well in both areas last season. He is an excellent tackler with just an 8.9% missed tackle rate which is something the Giants have struggled with in the middle of their defense. It was a big factor in their defense ranking towards the bottom in average rushing yards allowed and Mayo is a piece that won’t worsen that problem. 

The one concern with Mayo is his troublesome zone coverage defense when falling back, but with a secondary that can pick up the slack it can hopefully be overlooked for the prowess down low at the first level. Mayo has been signing one-year deals over the past two seasons and the Giants can land a rental of him as well.