5 burning questions the New York Giants need to answer in 2018
By Daniel Stave
3. Will the defense bounce back after a disappointing 2017?
In 2016, the Giants’ defense saw major improvement due to big free agent signings—leaving Dan Snyder burning with jealousy. The team brought in edge rusher Olivier Vernon, cornerback Janoris Jenkins and defensive tackle Damon Harrison to improve from No. 30 in Football Outsiders’ DVOA in 2015 to No. 2 in 2016.
This was the biggest reason the team improved to 11-5 and made the playoffs. However, the defense regressed in 2017. They fell to No. 24 in DVOA last season.
Known for being a dominant force in 2016, the defense made headlines for public disputes in 2017.
The team will have a new look under the direction of Gettleman in 2018. The Giants never invested in linebackers and rotated through replacement-level players for the past several years. But Gettleman came from Carolina, who has one of the best linebacking corps in the NFL.
One of Gettleman’s first moves was trading for Alec Ogletree to stabilize the position. Ogletree will be expected to command the defense from the middle of the field as he did for the Rams.
Gettleman also turned the corner on the previous era of Giants football by trading away Jason Pierre-Paul. JPP was the last of the dominant defensive ends that included Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck that helped the team win two Super Bowl titles.
Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was released. The team made a couple of minor free agent signings in the secondary, picking up cornerback William Gay from Pittsburgh and safety Michael Thomas from Miami.
They still have talent in fourth-year safety Landon Collins, third-year cornerback Eli Apple and second-year defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson to join Harrison, Vernon, and Jenkins.
The biggest question will be who replaces Pierre-Paul as a pass rusher opposite Olivier Vernon. The team drafted Georgia outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter in the third round. If Carter can’t do it, it will be almost open tryouts among veteran journeymen and low-pedigree young players.