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2016 NFL free agency: 5 teams who should sign Malik Jackson

By Nathaniel Reeves

Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson celebrates after recovering a fumble for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 at Levi
Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson celebrates after recovering a fumble for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 at Levi /
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Dec 6, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) and offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo look at the playbook during the second quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) and offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo look at the playbook during the second quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

4) New York Giants

In the first offseason of the Ben McAdoo era, the Giants needs to invest heavily in their defense. New York allowed 27.6 points per game in 2015 to rank 30th in the NFL, and that number was largely due to a complete lack of pass rush.

That pass rush could even get worse in 2016, as five of New York’s top eight defensive linemen are set to hit free agency. In particular, the Giants could be hurt by losing Jason Pierre-Paul, Cullen Jenkins and Robert Ayers.

While New York will try to retain one or two of those three (likely Ayers), it won’t be able to completely replace the lost depth without making an additional move. Jackson would not only be a capable replacement for someone like Pierre-Paul, he could provide an upgrade as either an end or a tackle.

If the Giants can improve to at least a respectable level on the defensive side, they will compete for the NFC East title. Eli Manning has been very productive in McAdoo’s system, and while the team could use more at wide receiver, Odell Beckham Jr. can take over any game.

The Giants have one of the best cap situations in the NFL with around $58 million to play with. Much of that is going to go towards upgrading the defense, and Jackson should be among the team’s top targets.  Jackson also said that it would be “cool” to play for the Giants in an interview prior to the Super Bowl according to the New York Post, for whatever that’s worth.

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