Big Blue View
The Giants have real players at the position, something they did not have when Joe Schoen became GM
There is little question that the New York Giants’ longstanding issues at inside linebacker have improved since Joe Schoen became general manager in 2022.
The signing of Bobby Okereke to a four-year, $40 million free agent contract before the 2023 season was thought by many to be an overpay. Okereke, though, had a terrific 2023 season and is the quarterback of what Schoen on Tuesday made sure to remind everyone is the youngest defense in the NFL.
In the draft, Schoen has not used premium resources. He has used a fifth-round pick (No. 146) on Micah McFadden, and sixth-round picks on Darrian Beavers and Darius Muasau. McFadden, while his pass coverage sometimes leaves something to be desired, has been a two-year starter after an up-and-down rookie season and has far outplayed his draft slot. Arguably, the only 2022 fifth-round picks who have exceeded McFadden’s contributions to the Giants are running back Tyler Allgier (Atlanta Falcons, No. 151), cornerback Riq Woolen (Seattle Seahawks, No. 153), DaRon Bland (Dallas Cowboys, No. 167), and offensive tackle Braxton Jones (Chicago Bears, No. 168).
Current roster: Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden, Isaiah Simmons, Darius Muasau, Matthew Adams
Injured reserve: Diontae Johnson
Players drafted since 2022: McFadden (Round 5, No. 147, 2022); Darrian Beavers (Round 6, No. 182, 2022); Darius Muasau (Round 6, No. 183, 2024)
Biggest free agent signing: Bobby Okereke
Biggest losses: Tae Crowder
As I said at the beginning of this post, the Giants are clearly better at off-ball linebacker than they were when Schoen became GM.
It might be nice to find a more dynamic player who was better in space and coverage than McFadden, but he is a good player.
Muasau looks like good depth, perhaps more than that eventually. Simmons is a sparingly used situational sub-package player I would guess the Giants move on from after the season.
The real question for this group, to me, is figuring out why Okereke has not been as impactful this season as he was last year. Is it the paucity of defensive line talent, other than Dexter Lawrence, in front of him? Is it the change in scheme from a Wink Martindale defense to one coordinated by Shane Bowen? Is it something else?
Okereke had 149 tackles (37 solo) in 2023. He is on pace for 127.5 this season — a nice number, but it would be the lowest 17-game total of his career. He is on pace for 63 solo tackles, which would also be his lowest 17-game total.
Okereke’s Pro Football Focus grade is down from 74.4 to an OK but not special 63.0. His missed tackle rate up from 7.7% to 10.8%. His STOPs are down slightly. After a career-high 56 last season he is on pace for 49 this year.
Okereke was a Wink Martindale devotee. Last season, he called Martindale “legendary” and said he was “a great,...
