Giants Finally Found Solid Inside Linebackers

If at first you don't succeed, try, try--and try again.

That has been the mantra of the New York Giants when it has come to their inside linebacker play of late. Widely regarded as one of the weakest positions on the team--the first year of Blake Martinez's tenure with the Giants maybe being the exception--the Giants finally appeared to get the spot fortified with a combination of an unrestricted free agent and a draft pick.

The UFA is Bobby Okereke, the former Indianapolis Colts defender whom the Giants signed to the lone "splash" free agency contract last year. Okereke, who had a reputation as a solid defender against the run, came as advertised, finishing as the team leader in tackles (149, many of which were within 7 yards or less of the line of scrimmage). 

There were also bonuses such as some solid pass coverage (career-high five pass breakups and a career-best 90.2 NFL coverage rating) and some blitzing ability (career-high 20 pressures). Okereke did it all for the Giants, finally giving them a legitimate plug in the middle of the field, which had been a weakness for the longest time.

McFadden gets a strong vote for being one of the most improved players on the team. After a forgettable rookie campaign in which he was benched, McFadden won, retained the other starting ILB spot, and delivered the goods. The Giants' 2022 fifth-round pick finished with 101 tackles, many of those coming inside the box, where he took smart angles and flashed instincts while shooting gaps with precision to stop wide runs.

Although McFadden lacks ideal length and has shorter arms (a likely reason for his whopping 25 missed tackles), he produced. However, there are limitations to his game, such as in zone coverage and open-field coverage, where a lack of ideal speed works against him. But when placed in single-cover situations, he excelled thanks to his instinct and anticipation. 

The third man in the inside linebacker group is Isaiah Simmons, whom the team acquired from the Arizona Cardinals just before cutdown day. Simmons found a home in the team's nickel and dime packages and on special teams. His lack of physicality and instinct might work against him in cracking into the starting lineup, but he can and has delivered the goods in specialized roles. A pending free agent, one would hope the Giants find a way to keep him around as speed on this defense is at a premium and Simmons does quite several things well. 

Darrian Beavers was promoted to the 53-man roster late in the year after continuing his development on the practice squad. Beavers, remember, missed his rookie campaign due to a torn ACL. Though he played only special teams in his two games on the 53-man roster, he gained some valuable experience, and he will likely push for a spot among the inside linebacker group next summer.  

The remaining two inside linebackers--Carter Coughlin and Cam Brown--were core special teams players. Early indications are the Giants are planning to move on from both of these players, which, if the case, will likely mean the Giants will be seeking some additional depth at this spot.