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Having Oshane Ximines, Markus Golden, Lorenzo Carter, and Kareem Martin doesn’t necessarily make opposing offenses shake in their shoes. Trading Olivier Vernon will set the unit back, as the Giants will have to rely on their youth to excel in 2019.
There isn’t a proven option at the OLB position, which could call for a potential trade this offseason. Bringing in a veteran that has enjoyed success in the past and can get to the quarterback isn’t a bad idea.
Houston linebacker Whitney Mercilus could fit the bill.
Robert Mays of The Ringer believes Mercilus could be on the market:
Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Texans
Mercilus missed most of the 2017 season with a torn pectoral muscle and was slowed during the early part of last season by a lingering hamstring issue. From Week 9 on, though, he tallied 27 disrupted dropbacks (according to Pro Football Focus) and was among the most effective pass rushers in the league on a per-snap basis. Even in the back half of his career, Mercilus is a versatile piece who’s just as comfortable rushing on the interior as the edge—and he’ll make only $5.8 million in 2019, the final year of his deal.
The soon-to-be 29-year-old pass rusher is a holdover from Rick Smith’s time as general manager, and he arrived in Houston before head coach Bill O’Brien’s tenure began. The Texans will likely prioritize bringing Jadeveon Clowney (who’s currently on the franchise tag) back on a long-term deal next spring, and with Clowney and J.J. Watt on the roster, the Texans are loaded with pass rushers. Rather than watch Mercilus walk in free agency next year, O’Brien and the team’s makeshift front office could look to recoup some value from one of the league’s many pass-rush-needy teams.
Possible landing spot: Giants. After dealing Olivier Vernon to the Browns earlier this offseason, the Giants are desperate for pass-rushing help. Mercilus fits the outside linebacker role in defensive coordinator James Bettcher’s scheme, and he’d represent a massive improvement on New York’s current edge-rushing options.
Nonetheless–
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