Most of the top headlines for the New York Giants have focused on Kayvon Thibodeaux after being drafted 5th overall. However, the team has a few underrated players who could make solid impacts during the 2022 season.
In 2021, the Giants scooped up former Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher Quincy Roche. Roche was waived after Pittsburgh tried to sneak him through the wire. The Giants quickly pounced, providing him an opportunity to make an impact with their top team.
Roche tallied 2.5 sacks, 35 combined tackles, five tackles for loss, and five quarterback hits over 14 games. While he doesn’t have the skill set of Thibodeaux or even Azeez Ojulari, Roche has the tangible traits to provide excellent value as a rotational pass rusher.
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What does Quincy Roche bring to the New York Giants?
Coming out of Miami, Roche was considered a potential average backup player. As a 6th round pick, his main weaknesses were mostly explosiveness and athleticism related. However, he’s incredibly reliable and durable, two factors the Giants value.
He also had a knack for forcing fumbles, one statistic the Giants will welcome gladly.
Big Blue will undoubtedly utilize Thibodeaux and Ojulari as their primary pass-rush duo. Having good supplemental options to mitigate fatigue is a necessity. Roche cannot only start if need be, but he can help keep the team’s primary options healthy and fresh as the game progresses.
New defensive coordinator Wink Martindale relies heavily on his pass-rushers to play solid run defense. At 6’3″, 245 pounds, Roche has adequate size to set the edge and contribute in run defense.
With Martindale’s unique pressure schemes, Roche likely has a better opportunity to earn reps on defense. This spring, he wore a non-contact jersey, dealing with a minor issue. However, the expectation is that he will be ready to go for training camp.
Quincy is currently in year two of a four-year, $3.6265 million rookie deal.