Kyle Van Noy

New York Giants’ Joe Judge could target two New England defensemen

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New York Giants could look into Devin Mccourty this offseason.

The New York Giants are in need of ample talent to fill holes on the roster. Still, before any decisions are made in free agency or through the NFL Draft, new head coach Joe Judge will evaluate every player individually. Judge’s methods are incredibly detailed and thorough, as understanding the ins and outs of his players is an essential part of maximizing their abilities.

As he stated during his opening press conference, he expects every player to be open to playing every position, even if they’re the top wide receiver on the offense or pass rusher on defense. Being open to helping the team in any way is the mentality he seeks, which will be a testament to the type of players he adds this offseason.

As we saw with former defensive coordinator, James Bettcher, it’s possible Judge adds familiar faces to the Giants, in an attempt to install his disciplinary tactics and on-the-field etiquette.

Here are two players the New York Giants could target:

1.) Kyle Van Noy

The Giants could use a quality pass-rushing linebacker, especially since they will remain in the 3-4 scheme under Patrick Graham. Van Noy offers plenty of experience as an OLB but also on a winning team, which would be essential for the younger players to learn from.

The Patriots’ free-agent defender earned 56 combined tackles, 6.5 sacks, three passes defended, and three forced fumbles. He also recorded 14 QB hits and played well against the run, which makes him an excellent target for Big Blue and Judge. His price tag might be similar if not a bit more expensive than Alec Ogletree, which would land him in the $12-14 million range.

Van Noy’s connection Joe Judge makes this even more enticing, but it all depends on who the Giants are targetting in the NFL Draft. Also, if they’re keen on retaining Markus Golden.

2.) Devin McCourty

The Giants trotted old Antoine Bethea out onto the field in 2019, and while he played well closer to the line of scrimmage against the run, he was putrid in coverage. Finding a reliable free safety should be a priority for the Giants this offseason, and adding a quality veteran who can help the development of the younger defensive backs makes sense.

McCourty, 33, has played 10 years in the NFL, logging 58 tackles, seven passes defended, and five interceptions this past season. In the final year of a five-year deal, locking him down on a two-year contract could serve the Giants well. Aside from his familiarity with Judge, McCourty is a seasoned veteran who can be relied on to make plays and pick up deep threats. Another factor to consider is the influence he would have on Julian Love, who has been molded into a diverse player that can play multiple positions on defense.

However, the ultimate goal is to improve his coverage skills exponentially in the deeper parts of the field. McCourty would be a perfect fit for the Giants, but he would come at a cost.

New York Giants news, 1/4 – 2 free agent linebackers that can change the Giants’ defense

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Could the New York Giants consider Cory Littleton in free agency?

Good Morning, New York Giants Fans!

One of the weakest positions on the New York Giants’ defense is at linebacker, a spot that was neglected for years by Jerry Reese and hasn’t seen much growth in the Dave Gettleman Era.

However, it seems as if Gettleman is finally ready to invest a bit more into the inside linebacker position, where the only serviceable player is Ryan Connelly. Mind you, Connelly missed almost all of the 2019 season with a torn ACL, after sustaining the injury in week four against the Washington Redskins.

Connelly climbed the ranks as a rookie quickly, overtaking Alec Ogletree for the top spot at linebacker, and he’s expected to make a full recovery and emerge as a starter in 2020. There’s still a void, though, and that’s where two potential free-agent options come into play.

Here are two linebackers who the Giants should look into during FA:

1.) Cory Littleton

The four-year veteran had a stellar season with the Los Angeles Rams this season, amassing 134 combined tackles (second consecutive year with over 120), 3.5 sacks, nine passes defended, and two forced fumbles. He’s one of the staples of the Rams’ defense and would fit in nicely alongside Connelly, who’s versed in shooting gaps and covering tight ends.

According to PFF, Littleton ranked in the top 10 in almost every essential category for linebackers – solo assists (9th), assists (8th), INTs (6th), and forced fumbles (8th). Expect the New York Giants to give him a long, hard look in free agency.

2.) Kyle Van Noy

Investing in New England Patriot’s players is always a big “if,” just ask Nate Solder, who’s been a bust ever since signing a record-breaking deal to play left tackle for the Giants. However, Van Noy is a special talent who serves multiple purposes out of the linebacker position.

This season, he has earned 56 combines tackles, 6.5 sacks, three passes defended, and three forced fumbles. His ability to rush the passer (14 QB Hits), while also being a solid run-stopper is impressive, making him another solid target for Big Blue. He might be a bit cheaper than Littleton, due to age/wear and tear, buy the value he brings to a young team might be worth the risk.

Nonetheless–

Your top news of the day:

Ryan Dunleavy – Kris Richard first candidate to interview for Giants’ coaching job

Cay North – New York Giants: Patriots OC Josh McDaniels Joins Coaching Candidates

Dan Benton – Dalvin Tomlinson was Giants’ highest-graded defender in 2019

Albert Breer – Dave Gettleman Gets a Wake-Up Call

Garrett Stepien – Chiefs’ Andy Reid endorses Giants candidate Eric Bieniemy: ‘I think he’d be tremendous’

New York Giants news, 1/2 – 3 free agents that could fit well with the Giants

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New York Jets, Logan Ryan, Tennessee Titans

Good Morning, New York Giants Fans!

The New York Giants are going into the 2020 offseason with huge needs, specifically on the offensive and defensive lines. The draft should be focused on securing the trenches, as free agency offers reliable options in the secondary.

Here are three players the New York Giants should consider signing in free agency:

1.) CB Logan Ryan 

At 29-years-old, Ryan remains one of the best corners in the NFL, and he has proven once again this season that he deserves top money. The Giants are in need of a No. 1 corner after the release of Janoris Jenkins, and Ryan could fit the bill nicely.

The Tennessee Titan has had excellent health throughout his career, having started all 16 games in 2019. Ryan logged 113 combined tackles, 18 passes defended, four interceptions, four forced fumbles, and 4.5 sacks. It’s not frequent that you stumble across a corner who racks up substantial sack numbers. He has 8.5 total sacks over the past two years.

The Giants would have to drop a pretty penny to lure him to East Rutherford, but he’s well worth the investment.

2.) DE Yannick Ngakoue

With pass-rush being a position of need for Big Blue, Ngakoue should be an intriguing option during FA. His 41 combined tackles, 8.0 sacks, and four forced fumbles are impressive. The Jaguar will get paid in the coming months, and the Giants have the cap-space available to make it happen.

I wouldn’t be surprised if GM Dave Gettleman considers adding him, however, it’s reliant on the Giants’ new defensive coordinator and if they stick with the 3-4 scheme. It’s also possible James Bettcher is retained, despite his unit ranking as one of the worst in the league last season.

3.) Kyle Van Noy

Stealing players from the Patriots can either be a great or terrible idea. Often, they’re stellar players fitted to their system, but when they take their talents elsewhere, reality hits. Van Noy would be a reliable option for the Giants in the 3-4, though, as he comes with plenty of experience as an inside linebacker that can rush the passer. His 6.5 sacks and 15 QB hits prove his worth against opposing quarterbacks, but the Patriots have put him in the perfect place to succeed. With the transitions going on within the Giants’ organization, his talent might be overblown. Nonetheless, he’s a solid player that must be looked at.

Nonetheless–

Your top news of the day:

Paul Schwartz – Matt Rhule, Mike McCarthy emerging as favorites in Giants coaching search

John Fennelly – Giants Fans Lose Again as Team Elects to Keep Gettleman

Tyler Henry – Could the Giants benefit from a year with few coaching vacancies?
Kevin Hickey – Giants request to interview Ravens DC Don Martindale
Anthony Rivardo – New York Giants: Yannick Ngakoue A Top Free Agent Target

New York Giants: A Peek At The Giants’ 2020 Free Agent Linebacker Options

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New York Giants, Kyle Van Noy

The New York Giants are in the second year of a rebuild and need to put an emphasis on fixing their linebacker corps. Rookie linebacker Ryan Connelly was having an excellent season before tearing his ACL, but outside of him, the linebackers have not displayed adequate talent.

Alec Ogletree is also injured and has not been performing up to his contract with the Giants. It is likely that New York will move on from him this offseason. The Giants’ week five matchup was a clear example of how badly they need to improve their linebacker group.

The Giants missed 16 tackles against the Vikings, most in the NFL in week five. Additionally, the Giants’ lowest graded player on defense according to Pro Football Focus was linebacker Nate Stupar with an abysmal 27.4 overall grade. This grade is due to multiple missed tackles and failures in coverage.

It is quite possible that the Giants will look to sign a veteran linebacker mid-season in order to bandage their broken group. There are a few options out there for the Giants to sign, but if they are thinking long-term, they will need to look ahead to the 2020 offseason. Here is a peek at some of the top linebackers that will be available in NFL free agency 2020:

Joe Schobert

Joe Schobert is a 26-year-old linebacker for the Cleveland Browns. He has been an underrated player throughout his career so far but is a definite top ten talent at his position. Joe is an excellent coverage linebacker and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2016.

In 2018, Joe Schobert had the second-highest Pro Football Focus coverage grade of all linebackers at 87.7. Joe allowed only 92 yards after the catch in coverage and a 72.4 passer rating when targeted. These stats were both top ten in the NFL.

But Schobert is also a solid pass-rusher for a linebacker. He totaled 3 sacks and 6 quarterback hits in both 2017 and 2018.

Kyle Van Noy

This 29-year-old linebacker made a name for himself during the 2018 playoffs en route to the Patriots’ sixth Super Bowl. Van Noy is an excellent pass-rusher.

In 2018, Kyle Van Noy totaled 47 pressures. Mastermind Patriots coach Bill Belichick used Kyle Van Noy as a pass-rusher disguised as an off-ball linebacker. This allowed Van Noy to be a disruptive pass-rusher and total 3.5 sacks in the 2018 regular season and 4.5 sacks in the 2018 postseason.

According to Pro Football Focus, no off-ball linebacker rushed the passer more than Van Noy with his 275 pass-rush snaps in the regular season. So far in 2019, Van Noy has 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and an elite 89.4 overall PFF grade.

Kyle Van Noy would be a perfect addition to the Giants’ defense and could fill two needs for them. The Giants need an off-ball linebacker badly with Alec Ogletree being overpaid and underperforming and Ryan Connelly suffering an ACL injury. Connelly proved he can be the Giants’ starting linebacker, but he and Van Noy would be a nice one-two punch.

Of course, Van Noy has proven to be an important piece of the Patriots’ defense, so it is unlikely they will let him walk in free agency. But if he does hit the open market, this is a productive veteran that the Giants should jump on immediately.

Cory Littleton

Cory Littleton is another young linebacker about to hit free agency. The 26-year-old linebacker is off to a hot start this season. In week one, Littleton made Pro Football Focus‘s Team of the Week after a performance that saw him finish the game with four tackles resulting in a defensive stop, a pass breakup, and an interception.

Pro Football Focus commended Cory for his performance in coverage, stating that Littleton faced a whopping 10 targets in Week 1 and allowed seven of them to be caught. However, it was for a mere 47 yards, and he notched an interception. His 94.1 coverage grade was tops at his position.

Littleton is another player unlikely to hit the open market, but the Rams have spent a lot of money on their talented roster, so they might have to cut ties with their linebacker this offseason. Cory Will receive a nice pay-day if he does hit the open market in 2020. But his coverage ability would sure go along way in fixing the Giants’ defense if they were able to sing him.