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The New York Giants had been lacking at the linebacker position for years, but took a step in the right direction last offseason when they signed Blake Martinez away from the Green Bay Packers.
Although just one player, Martinez immediately raised the level of play at the position and made those around him better.
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This year, the Giants went out and added to the unit, signing players such as Ryan Anderson, Ifeadi Odenigbo and Reggie Ragland, while drafting the likes of Azeez Ojulari and Elerson Smith. They will also get back both Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines, who have each flashed at times.
There’s still some room for improvement, but the unit looks much better on paper than it has in quite some time. And assuming they can all stay heathy, Pro Football Focus views the Giants’ linebackers in the middle of the NFL pack.
15. NEW YORK GIANTS
Blake Martinez has racked up 109 defensive stops over the past two seasons, the third-most in the league. He is coming off the finest year of his career and the first in which he matched his best play in coverage with his best play against the run in the same season. However, the Giants don’t have much outside of Martinez, relying on journeyman run-stuffer Reggie Ragland alongside him.
PFF opted not to include the Giants’ 3-4 outside linebackers (Ojulari, Carter, Odenigbo, Ximines) in this ranking, which speaks even more to the value Martinez provides.
Still, the Giants aren’t exactly deep on the inside. Ragland is a quality veteran and Tae Crowder certainly had his moments as a rookie, but the remaining depth consists of Devante Downs, T.J. Brunson and Cale Garrett — not exactly a group than instills much confidence.
But who knows how the season will shake out. Perhaps Crowder takes a leap forward and secures a spot next to Martinez or Ragland turns back the hands of time and plays at the level he did in Kansas City.
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