New York Giants free agency primer: 5 defensive linemen to consider

Dexter Lawrence needs help, and here are ways to give it to him

The New York Giants need help on their defensive line. Dexter Lawrence is one of the top players at his position, but the Giants failed to surround him with a solid complement and depth in 2024. New York traded Leonard Williams to the Seahawks, and A’Shawn Robinson signed with the Carolina Panthers, leaving Rakeem Nunez-Roches as the only proven player — other than Lawrence — in Andre Patterson’s defensive line room.

The room is full of late-day three picks and undrafted free agents: Elijah Chatman, Elijah Garcia, Jordon Riley, D.J. Davidson, Cory Durden, and Armon Watts, who suffered a devastating knee injury at the end of the season. Perhaps the lack of proven depth behind Lawrence is a testament to Patterson’s coaching ability for depth in other areas of the roster was necessary; still, it was clear that the defensive line was an issue heading into the 2024 season.

Teams knew to run the ball directly at the Giants when Lawrence was not on the field. After Lawrence’s injury, defensive coordinator Shane Bowen had to alter his defensive structure to sell out against the run — he added more bodies into the box and employed more 5-man fronts. Bowen’s linebackers have too much on their plate and need another reliable defensive lineman who can allow them to be less impeded.

The Giants also have a choice to cut ties with Nunez-Roches, the team’s second-best defensive lineman. I like “Nacho,” but he should operate as a fourth and, at best, third defensive lineman, not the number two guy. He led the position group with 608 snaps. New York could save $3.6 million if they release the 31-year-old Nunez-Roches, but would incur a $1.4 million dead cap hit.

The 2025 defensive line class is deep. GM Joe Schoen and the Giants will likely make investments into the position through the draft, but a veteran free agent also makes sense. Here are five names to consider.

B.J. Hill, CIN

It seems like forever ago when Hill was behind Williams, Lawrence, and Dalvin Tomlinson on the Giants’ depth chart. Hill was an asset for the Giants and held the rookie sack record (5.5 sacks) before Azeez Ojulari recorded eight in 2021. Hill was traded to Cincinnati for center Billy Price before the 2021 season. The Giants were thin on the offensive line due to Joe Judge’s training camp forcing Zach Fulton and Joe Looney into retirement.

Hill hit the ground running with the Bengals and was pivotal to Lou Anarumo’s defense on the Bengals’ Super Bowl run. The 29-year-old hasn’t slowed down and took his game to another level when he arrived in Cincinnati. He recorded 38 pressures in 2021, 45 in 2022, 42 in 2023, and 32 last year. He’s played more than 700 snaps in each of the last three seasons.

Hill earned 16 sacks in his time away from New York, with 19 tackles for a loss. Hill would be a perfect addition to the Giants. Spotrac has his market value at two-years, $18 million, so an average annual salary of $9 million. He would be an immediate and necessary upgrade to Patterson’s room.

Milton Williams, PHI

Williams blew up the 2021 NFL Scouting Combine, and Howie Roseman selected him at pick 73 in the third round:

Williams played more than 400 snaps in each of his first four seasons. He wasn’t a starter but a core rotational player with penetration skills and a relentless nature. His pressure numbers through his first three seasons were 19 in 2021, 16 in 2022, and 25 in 2023. He then went OFF for 54 pressures in 2024, with the highest pass-rushing grade in Pro Football Focus. He finished in the top 10 in pressures in 2024 with the fourth-highest PRP (A formula that combines sacks, hits, and hurries relative to how many times they rush the passer) and the sixth-best pass-rush win rate. He struck while the iron was hot and is now a free agent at 25 years old.

Spotrac has Williams’ AAV at $12 million, which seems low. If it is that number, the Giants should pursue Williams, no? It was just one year playing in Vic Fangio’s defense with Jalen Carter and studs across the front, but the upside and baseline athletic traits displayed by Williams would complement Lawrence so well. Plus, Patterson could unlock an even higher ceiling for this budding star. I would include Osa Odighizuwa of the Dallas Cowboys on the list, but Spotrac has his number at $21 million. Give me Williams for cheaper.

Levi Onwuzurike, DET

Onwuzurike had his best season in 2024. He played 697 snaps with three sacks, 20 STOPs, 30 hurries, and 47 pressures. The 26-year-old 6-foot-3, 290-pound quick three-technique missed the 2022 season with a back injury requiring surgery. He operated a situational role in 2023 but started 11 games in 2024 and was a true difference-maker for Dan Campbell and the Lions.

Onwuzurike is a free agent, and Spotrac has his value at two years, $9.1 million, with a $4.5 AAV. He would add speed and pass-rushing ability to the defense, and he’s sufficient as a run defender, but one with a little less sand in his pants. His trajectory is headed upward and can still plausibly be added on a friendlier short-term contract that would make him a 28-year-old free agent in a couple of seasons.

D.J. Jones, DEN

Jones is a good run-defending defensive lineman with an adequate ability to get after the passer. The 6-foot, 305-pound 30-year-old is a fire hydrant in the middle of the defense. Jones spent the last three seasons in Denver, playing more than 500 snaps in each season after spending the first five seasons of his career in San Francisco. He’s recorded more than 20 STOPs in each of his last three seasons and at least 18 pressures in each as well.

Jones recorded 30 pressures in 2022 with the Broncos, which was the highest of his career. He has 13 career sacks and 166 career STOPs, but his missed tackles must be cleaned up — he missed 20 tackles over the last two years. Jones’ projected contract is one-year, $11 million. He’s an upgrade over Rakeem Nunez-Roches and would secure the run defense next to Lawrence, but he lacks pass-rushing juice.

Teair Tart, LAC

The 6-2, 304-pound Tart has familiarity with Bowen for three-and-a-half seasons. However, Tennessee released Tart at the tail end of the 2023 season after the Titans slapped a second-round tender on the former 2020 undrafted Florida International Golden Panther last offseason.

I’m uncertain precisely what led to Tart’s release, but he earned snaps in Bowen’s defense until his departure. Tart has 1,775 defensive snaps in his career. He mainly was the Titans’ nose tackle and 1-shade. He has 62 STOPs in his career, with 82 tackles, 61 pressures, and five sacks. His best season before 2024 was 2022, with 26 pressures and 23 STOPs in 520 snaps.

Spotrac has Tart’s market value at a one-year, $5.1 million contract after an impressive season with the Chargers. He signed a cheap one-year, $1.1 million contract last off-season to play for Jim Harbaugh. Tart played 520 snaps for the Chargers with 26 pressures, 23 STOPs, and 1.5 sacks. Bowen’s interest in Tart is unknown, but the 27-year-old would be an immediate upgrade for the Giants at a relatively inexpensive price.