The New York Giants are clearly seeking to upgrade their defense in a number of ways, but they're 0-for-3 after failing to sign safety Devin McCourty as well as pass rushers Jerry Hughes and Brandon Graham. With D-coordinator Steve Spagnuolo back, addressing the defensive line may be the top priority.
New York was able to retain Jason Pierre-Paul with the franchise tag, but the other top free-agent pass rushers - Hughes, Graham, Justin Houston and Pernell McPhee - are already off the market. Greg Hardy remains a possible option, but it's unlikely the organization brings in a player with domestic violence allegations tied to him.
With crucial needs on the offensive line and in the defensive backfield as well, the team could look to fill the pass rushing void in the upcoming NFL Draft, especially since they have the No. 9 overall pick. The free-agent options for offensive linemen and defensive backs are much more plentiful than for 4-3 defensive ends.
And how fitting, because Oregon DE Arik Armstead is ranked ninth overall on Todd McShay's Big Board and 12th overall on Mel Kiper Jr.'s. The question marks on Big Blue's defensive line may justify this potential selection on Apr. 30.
"DaMontre Moore is coming off shoulder surgery, Robert Ayers is coming off a torn pectoral, DT Cullen Jenkins is aging, and Markus Kuhn is unproven," writes Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News. "Adding a talented defensive end would also provide the Giants with some insurance if Pierre-Paul refuses to sign his franchise tender, or if he bolts after 2015. And it would give the club the balanced pass rush it didn't have last year, when the recently cut Mathias Kiwanuka struggled through injuries."
Kiper believes Armstead looks best as a defensive end in the 4-3 scheme and McShay says he has an "outstanding combination of size, agility and power." The 6' 7" 290 pound draft prospect provides a similar comparison to Pierre-Paul, who is listed at 6' 5" and 278 pounds. Pierre-Paul played only one year of college football and posted 45 tackles (16.5 for loss), 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception and a touchdown.
On the other hand, Armstead played three seasons with the Ducks, but didn't earn a full-time starting role until his junior year, during which he logged 46 tackles (5.5 for loss), 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble in 2014. Although his sack total was a bit of a concern in 2014, we know general manager Jerry Reese loves a good prospect with size and athleticism, which is what Pierre-Paul was praised for heading into the 2010 NFL Draft.
Free agency begins tomorrow at 4 p.m., so the Giants' plan will be clearer once we see what moves they look to make in the early going.
