The 2022 NFL season is over and the time to reflect is running out. In the blink of an eye, the new league year will arrive, free agency will get underway and then we’ll find ourselves at the NFL draft.
But before all of that comes, Nick Tice of The Athletic took one final opportunity to look back.
Tice broke down the most-improved players from across the league at every position. And although New York Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas was not listed, safety Julian Love was.
Love showed glimpses of intelligence and playmaking ability over the first three seasons of his career. An aggressive Giants defensive attack under Wink Martindale helped Love hone in on those flashes and become a more consistent player, without sacrificing any of his dynamic ability.
Martindale asks his defenders to do quite a bit in his blitz scheme. Love’s versatility as an aware pass defender who’s also a willing and able tackler (six TFLs) let Martindale use him as needed, as the Giants’ defensive staff attempted to get their best players on the field.
Love led the Giants in tackles (124) and was also named a captain by his teammates. He once again filled a Swiss Army knife-like role but was much more productive under Wink Martindale than any of his previous coordinators.
The Giants have acknowledged they’d like to bring Love, who is an impending unrestricted free agent, back but there are other priorities (see: Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley) they need to take care of first.
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