$200 million well spent? Giants betting big on defensive firepower
— -- During the 2015 NFL season, the New York Giants were shredded on defense, giving up a league-worst 27.6 points and 420.3 yards per game. That's bad football. But after the Giants opened up a treasure chest of money on the first day of free agency, the team added some legit upgrades to Steve Spagnuolo's defense and are now in a position to pick the best player available at No. 10 in the upcoming draft.
Did the Giants overpay for defensive end Olivier Vernon (five year, $85 million, $52.5 million guaranteed), cornerback Janoris Jenkins (five years, $62.5 million, $28.8 million guaranteed) and defensive tackle Damon Harrison (five years, $46 million, $24 million guaranteed)? Probably. That's the drill with free agency for desperate teams. Spend big. And then spend some more to fill remaining holes.
While the money is gaudy, it's important to remember that all of the Giants' big additions fill immediate needs on the roster.
And following the blueprint of any successful defense -- including the two that led New York to Super Bowl victories this century -- the Giants went all-in on their defensive line. After re-signing defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (one year, up to $10 million), the Giants paired him with Vernon, who has ridiculous upside with edge speed, athleticism and the ability to play the run. He could be a star in New York. Adding a run-stuffer like Harrison is just gravy.
Harrison isn't a pass rusher -- he played nose tackle for the Jets in 2015 -- but the Giants didn't exactly shut down the run game last season either, allowing an average of 121.4 yard per game. Harrison is that big boy in the middle, a defensive tackle in Spagnuolo's 4-3 defense who can play the 1-technique (gap between center and guard) and clog up the interior rush lanes. You want the linebackers to be freed up to pursue the ball? Then landing the 6-foot-4, 350-pound Harrison is the right call. And no one is winning in January without a defense that can stop the run.
With Jenkins, the Giants get a true high-risk, high-reward cornerback coming from Gregg Williams' pressure-happy system with the Rams. Jenkins has the natural coverage ability and ball skills to make plays outside the numbers (10 interceptions, 35 passes broken up since 2012). This guy is an ultra aggressive cornerback with the closing speed to finish.
But he's also a gambler, a corner who sits on routes. Jenkins can get into some trouble with his eye discipline and footwork against double-moves and multiple breaking routes. While he hasn't reached his full potential at the position, his ceiling is sky high. And now the Giants have two man-coverage defenders on the outside with Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
Rush and cover, right? That's what every defensive coach wants to do. One day of free agency isn't going to fill every need and turn the Giants' defense into a championship unit. New York still has to find a true free safety, an angel over the top of the secondary -- especially with two aggressive man-coverage cornerbacks. And I would expect them to add a few more second- and third-tier free agents to provide depth to their D.
But the Giants' moves on Wednesday laid the foundation for what could be a much-improved unit -- and perhaps more importantly, it gave them some options in the upcoming draft.
With the 10th overall pick in April, the Giants could target another defensive starter like Clemson's Shaq Lawson (you can never have too many edge rushers), defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins out of Louisville or look at linebackers Darron Lee from Ohio State and Reggie Ragland out of Alabama.
Or they can pull the trigger on an offensive player without feeling neglectful of the defense -- Notre Dame offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley at No. 10 and Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott come to mind. That's the luxury the Giants have now after becoming major players on Day 1 of free agency.
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