New York Giants: 5 offseason needs in 2019

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 30: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants in action against the Dallas Cowboys on December 30, 2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cowboys defeated the Giants 36-35. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 30: New York Giants outside linebacker Olivier Vernon (54) during the National Football League game between the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys on December 30, 2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Improve the pass rush

The Giants were without their top pass rusher, Olivier Vernon, for the first five games of the season due to a high ankle sprain and their defense paid the price. Vernon’s absence left the Giants short up front, and even when he was healthy Vernon still recorded only seven sacks in 11 games.

The rest of the unit didn’t get after the quarterback much as the Giants recorded only 30 sacks (including Vernon’s team-high seven) on the season. That output was the second worst in the league, ahead of only the Oakland Raiders, who recorded a pitiful 19 sacks after deciding to trade away Khalil Mack prior to the season.

The Giants have a decision to make on Vernon, who is productive when he plays but has missed a combined nine games over the past two seasons. Vernon is under contract for two more years, including a whopping $19.5 million cap hit in 2019, but the Giants can save $11.5 million by releasing him.

Given how hard it is to find pass rushers in this league, the odds are high that the Giants retain Vernon and look to complement him with another pass rush specialist. The Giants could look to add Dante Fowler Jr. or poach Brandon Graham away from the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency, or they could explore the draft for pass rush help.

The sixth pick may be too low for the Giants to end up with either of the top guys, Ohio State’s Nick Bosa or Kentucky’s Josh Allen, but fortunately for them this draft is deep in edge rushing talent. Jachai Polite, Montez Sweat, or Clelin Ferrell would all look good lining up opposite Vernon on the Giants’ defense.

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