Big Blue View
The New York Giants are set for 2025 starters at the linebacker position with Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden. However, every linebacker other than Okereke, Chris Board, and Darius Muasau will be a free agent after the 2025 season. Okereke could be released after this season, saving $9 million in cap space with just a $5 million dead cap.
Suffice it to say, the Giants could use a long-term starter at linebacker, albeit it’s not nearly a primary need for the roster. GM Joe Schoen signed two quality additions in the offseason, but they’ve still shown interest in a few linebackers during the pre-draft process. Let’s go through a few Day 2 and Day 3 options who may interest New York.
Additions: Chris Board, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
Losses: Isaiah Simmons
Roster: Starters — Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden; Reserves — Darius Muasau, Chris Board, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Dyontae Johnson, Ty Summers
Draft need: Potential long-term starter and depth
Carson Schwesinger, UCLA: The Giants were one of five teams to send their linebacker coach to UCLA’s pro day to work out the 2024 phenom. John Egorugwu was in attendance and held a private meeting with Schwesinger, who weighed in at 238 pounds on his 6-foot-2½-inch frame. He did not run the 40-yard dash, but posted a 7.05 in the three-cone drill, 4.25 in the short shuttle, and jumped 10’7” in the broad jump. Add that to the impressive 39.5-inch vertical jump Schwesinger achieved.
Carson Schwesinger is a rare find. A walk-on prospect with just one year of true playing experience, he processes and plays like a four-year starter, and he has elite athletic traits to maximize what’s between his ears. He’s slippery when penetrating, with an ability to coordinate his feet/hands/and shoulders—while square—to dip underneath blocks and present his numbers to a target.
Schwesinger has true sideline-to-sideline range and a motor that rarely needs fuel. He only had one year of production and can be overly aggressive at times, but he’s an ideal 4-3 WILL linebacker with upside to play other positions at the second level. His ability to fluidly cover ground with quickness in any direction while staying disciplined with his eyes are traits that will lead to an immediate impact at the next level. He’s an enjoyable player to watch.
Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma: Stutsman is a true MIKE linebacker who finished top-10 all-time in Sooners history with 377 total tackles. Stutsman understands run fits and where to be; he combines elite football intelligence with violence and sufficient athletic ability. Questions about his coverage ability are fair, due to some hip tightness, but his trigger downhill and ability to flow, fit, fill, and strike are elite.
Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina: A starter for one year at South Carolina as a MIKE and sub-package asset with a ton of special-teams ability. Knight Jr. wore the green dot and has an elite trigger and burst moving forward, while possessing excellent pursuit. Knight Jr. is a three-down asset...
