Big Blue View
The Giants need young talent at this position
The New York Giants have desperately needed assistance across from Dexter Lawrence since GM Joe Schoen sent Leonard Williams to Seattle. Opposing offenses consistently ran the football at the Giants last season whenever Lawrence needed a breather before his injury. After Lawrence was placed on Injured Reserve, Shane Bowen altered his defense to fix the massive liability created by Lawrence’s departure — the Giants NEED depth on their defensive line.
Schoen signed two veterans this offseason for depth purposes, but I contend that more depth and overall consistency are necessary. The Giants were spoiled for a long time with names like Damon “Snacks” Harrison, Dalvin Tomlinson, B.J. Hill, and Williams. Now, it’s mainly just Dexter Lawrence. Big 97 needs someone to help, to alleviate the burden of consistently dealing with double-teams.
Lawrence is a top-three player at his position. The Giants must try to capitalize on his skill set and find a complement to his immense talent. Maybe Schoen can achieve this on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.
Additions: Roy Robertson-Harris, Jeremiah Ledbetter
Losses: None
Roster: Starters — Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nunez-Roches; Reserves —D.J. Davidson, Jordon Riley, Elijah Chatman, Elijah Garcia, Cory Durden, Ross Blacklock, Casey Rogers
Draft need: Starting-caliber defensive lineman/developmental DL depth (Day 2 or Day 3)
I want Derrick Harmon or Kenneth Grant to fall to pick 34 for the Giants, but it seems a bit pie in the sky. For that reason, I did not include them as Day 2 options.
Walter Nolen, Ole Miss: Nolen is just 21 years old and started as a three-technique for the Rebels as a former-consensus five-star recruit, one of the top in his recruiting class. Nolen initially attended Texas A&M. He is still raw but possesses an incredibly quick first-step with quality pop in his hands — ideal as a gap-shooting disruptor. Many believe he’ll be a first-round pick, but questions about his decision-making, playing temperament, and overall maturity surround his profile.
Tyleik Williams, Ohio State: Williams possesses an invaluable skill-set to effectively anchor against opposing rushing attacks while using his high football IQ to process offensive intentions. Williams played three-technique in a four-down front; his traits allow him to two-gap or play a gap-and-a-half defense, which can allow coordinators to lighten the box and play more two-high shells (quarters, palms, etc.), which is a part of Shane Bowen’s defense. Williams has serious knockback with good overall play strength and a natural ability to find the vulnerabilities in double-team blocks, effectively splitting them and wrecking havoc. Williams has played at several different weights throughout his career, reportedly ranging from 290-pounds to 360+ pounds; consistency in a specific role would benefit Williams and allow him to follow the necessary diet/work out routine to maximize his abilities. He lacks the ability to consistently threaten offenses as a pass rusher but there’s enough flashes to suggest there’s untapped upside in that area. He’s also not the longest,...
