The New York Giants are no strangers to pouring assets into their pass rush and edge room. As Ernie Accorsi famously stated, “you can never have too many pass rushers.” The former Giants’ general manager was correct and they may add a true blue-chip talent in the first round; that talent is, of course, Penn State edge defender Abdul Carter.
However, the Giants could also go in another direction and select WR/CB Travis Hunter or QB Shedeur Sanders, both from Colorado. Nevertheless, here are a few day two and three options for the Giants to consider at edge.
Additions: Chauncey Golston, Victor Dimukeje
Losses: Azeez Ojulari
Roster: Starters — Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux; Reserves — Chauncey Golston, Victor Dimukeje, Tomon Fox
Draft need: Abdul Carter in the first round, potential long-term starter, or depth
Day 2 options
Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College: A bendy athlete with good overall burst to maximize his traits as a high side rusher. Not only is Ezeiruaku a smart rusher with active hands, who keeps tackle’s on their toes (literally and& figuratively) but he possesses a closing ability that showcased itself throughout his senior season at Boston College. He’s a finesse pass rusher who understands how to rush the passer with dangerous high-side rushes, combined with fluid and balanced counter moves.
There’s a lot to love about Ezeiruaku’s pass rushing profile. His run defense is below average when he is not penetrating or slashing. Ezeiruaku may struggle to leverage his gap assignment against bigger, more physical offensive tackle; he’ll have to rely on his length to make initial contact and there’s little room for his error within his technique and ability to anchor/locate. Patient and long offensive tackles may give Ezeiruaku some trouble as a pass rusher, but the Boston College product possesses enough moves, tempo, and football IQ to keep even those disciplined tackles guessing.
Overall, Ezeiruaku possesses excellent bend and control as a high side rusher with the ever-present threat to effectively counter. He’s a difficult, albeit smaller, assignment for offensive tackles to handle on an island. He may start as a situational pass rusher that provides juice and several moves to win. His ability to consistently set an edge is questionable, but he can still be a solid player as a run defender if used correctly.
Landon Jackson, Arkansas: Landon Jackson is a controlled mover who possesses elite overall size with an excellent frame and length. His ability to play the run effectively as an anchor defender, penetrator, or pursuit defender make him ideal for any scheme, as well as his athletic ability, quick first-step, and his aforementioned size. Defensive line coaches will fall in love with a player like Jackson. His upside as a pass-rusher isn’t through the roof, but he took noticeable steps through his college career with his use of hands and ability to employ moves to create separation. His combination of shock value and hand technique are an asset. He has won with power and with finesse, albeit he does lose leverage against better offensive lineman who can reanchor his moves. Jackson should have a long career in the league as a high-floor hustle pass rusher with good hands to disengage at the POA, while excelling as a sturdy run defender.
Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss: Excellent height and length with a slightly undersized 244-pound frame who packages a quick first step with quality high-side rushing upside. Umanmielen with Brian Burns as edge benders with Dexter Lawrence pushing the pocket would be a respectable pass rush if the Giants take Hunter or Sanders in the first round over Abdul Carter.
Day 3 options
Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA: To be fair, the Giants would be lucky to see Oladejo available at pick 105 in the fourth round, so this is MASSIVELY glass half full. Still, the UCLA pass rusher is a smart explosive rusher with violent hands and just under 34-inch arms, with an over 82-inch wingspan. He understands how to master leverage and convert speed to power. Like Abdul Carter, Oladejo was a MIKE linebacker to start his college career; Oladejo was at CAL, and he leverages his overall football IQ that he thrived using at linebacker on the edge. He’s still raw with his pass rush moves, but the physical traits are evident, and he would be an excellent addition for the Giants.
Josaiah Stewart, Michigan: This Chris Pflum favorite should go on Day 2, but his measurables may turn some teams away. Stewart possesses a quick first step with excellent force into contact and the ability to convert his explosive nature into power. He also possesses a speed/bend combination to win high side, albeit his bend is not elite. Stewart is praised for his work ethic and toughness, and his play is indicative of the praise. He’s always going full speed and is an absolute terror on the edge. His biggest issue are the measurables; his height and lack of length will turn teams off and could force Stewart to slide in the draft. If that’s the case, he will be an INSANE value for a team that wants a rotational edge who understands how to create pressure and is athletic enough to drop into space. He’ll likely start as a 3-4 outside linebacker with upside who will thrive early as a pass-rushing specialist, but he’ll always be fighting to overcome his measurables. Still, if I’m a general manager, I’m finding a way to draft Josaiah Stewart.
Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virgina Tech: Antwaun Powell-Ryland carries a power punch to his rushes and offers multiple pass rushing moves. He does a good job getting up the arc and maximizing sufficient lower-body flexion by though his adaptive hands, his good explosiveness, and his low center of gravity. Powell-Ryland is a smart rusher who can pin his ears back from multiple positions. Antwaun Powell-Ryland is not a poor run defender, but his lack of length and only average play strength may lead to some trouble against better NFL offensive tackles and double teams at the next level. Overall, he was a productive rusher in college who will have a role in the NFL but may lack the length, ideal play strength, and athletic traits to be a consistent three-down contributor.
