The New York Giants Should Sign This Young Pass Rusher

Should the New York Giants look into linebacker, Shane Ray?
Sep 16, 2018; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Shane Ray (56) before the game against the Oakland Raiders at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants had one of the league’s worst defenses in 2018. The defense ranked 24th in the league, allowing 371.4 yards per game. Their pass rush was one of the league’s worst, ranking 30th in the NFL with only 30 total team sacks.

Despite this, the Giants did not really commit to improving the pass rush in the 2019 offseason. They only drafted one pass-rusher, Oshane Ximines, in the 2019 NFL Draft. It looks like the team will rely heavily on the young, unproven duo of Oshane Ximines and Lorenzo Carter.

However, there is still a solid, young option in free agency if the Giants want to add more potential pass-rushers to this defense.

Shane Ray Stats And Highlights

Shane Ray was a 1st round pick for the Denver Broncos in 2015, but he never panned out in Denver. The team decided to part ways with Shane Ray this offseason, thanks to the addition of Bradley Chubb in 2018.

Ray never reached his full potential in Denver. He has never started 16 games in a season and has only played in 16 games one time. Interestingly enough, in that one season (2016) where Shane Ray played all 16 games, he recorded a career-high sack total with 8 sacks on the season.

In 2018, Shane Ray did not start a single game for the Broncos. He only played in 11 games. It is hard to tell whether Shane Ray’s lack of playing time and production is his own fault or the fault of the Broncos.

Shane has had some injury troubles in his career, but that is not the only reason his playing time has been limited. The Broncos already have talent at Shane Ray’s position. Extreme talent. Von Miller is one of the NFL’s best pass-rushers and it would be silly to give him less playing time for anyone, let alone Shane Ray.

Shane Ray would not be a full-time starter with the Giants. Instead, he would be a situational pass-rusher. For example, on passing downs, such as third and long, the Giants could put in Shane Ray instead of a run-stuffing lineman and have a little bit extra pass rush.

He never reached his full potential in Denver, but he did flash it every so often. Shane Ray is a speedy edge rusher that can throw a strong bull-rush in the mix at any time. The Giants should sign Shane Ray as a situational pass rusher to give them an edge in the critical moments of close games.

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