The New York Giants are preparing to upgrade their offense to help third-year quarterback Daniel Jones finally reach his potential, and that will likely mean resource allocation toward the wide receiver position. Whether it be in free agency or the 2021 NFL draft, we can expect the offense to take a step forward and 2021. However, there are still issues littered across the roster, and pass rusher remains one of them.
With Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines missing extensive time with injury in 2020, the Giants were forced to utilize a blend of inadequate pass rushers at outside linebacker. They featured Carter Coughlin, a seventh-round pick from last year, and Jabaal Sheard, a practice squad player with a little bit of gas left in the tank. Overall, the Giants were unable to produce consistent pressure from the OLB position, so upgrading it this off-season is a necessity.
There are a few fantastic options in free agency they can look to acquire, including Leonard Floyd from the Los Angeles Rams or even Yannick Ngakoue from the Baltimore Ravens.
There is one low-key option the Giants could target, and he might be a bit cheaper than the big names at the top of the market.
PFF believes the New York Giants should take a shot at landing Haason Reddick in FA:
NEW YORK GIANTS: EDGE HAASON REDDICK
No New York Giants edge defender notched more than 20 total pressures this season. Nine edge rushers combined to generate just 81 total pressures, which is simply not enough in today’s NFL.
Haason Reddick’s career got off to a slow start, as the team decided to move him off the ball and away from what he was so good at in college — rushing the passer. Reddick had 56 total pressures this season on 412 pass-rushing snaps, 26 of which came in the last month of the season. At the minimum, he would make for a formidable situational rusher to add to a defense that is stout against the run.
If Reddick’s name seems familiar, it’s probably because he had a standout performance against the Giants, setting a franchise record for the Arizona Cardinals with 5.0 sacks. He also recorded five solo tackles and two tackles for a loss in the contest. He finished the 2020 season with 12.5 sacks, 63 combined tackles, 16 QB hits, and 15 tackles for a loss. He also earned a career-low 6.0% missed tackle right. By all indications, Reddick made a successful move to outside linebacker, and the Giants should heavily be considering him in free agency.
Considering defensive coordinator Patrick Graham utilizes a 3-4 scheme, for the most part, he would fit in like a glove. Per Spotrac, Reddick’s market value is at $3.37 million, which would be an absolute steal for the 27-year-old pass rusher.
Having veterans on the defense like Logan Ryan, who can help recruit, should benefit the Giants exponentially in free agency. They don’t have an exorbitant amount of money to spend, but they do have $4.6 million opening up from Kyler Fackrell’s one year deal. They could re-allocate toward a player like Haason, who had a fantastic campaign this past year and could offer some much-needed value at a position of weakness.