New York Giants: Team should target Malik Jackson in free agency
The New York Giants need to bolster their defensive line this offseason. They should set their target on defensive end Malik Jackson, come free agency.
Unfortunately for the New York Giants, they fielded one of the worst defenses in the NFL last season. They couldn’t effectively stop the run, defend against the pass and had very little impact when it came to their pass rushing abilities.
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Luckily for the Giants, however, they have about $50M to play with heading into the free agency period. While they will more than likely not be able to land the top eligible defensive free agent in Von Miller (expect him to be franchise tagged or re-signed to a big contract by the Denver Broncos), one of his defensive teammates is a different story.
Defensive end Malik Jackson is also set to become a free agent his offseason and will no doubt have plenty of suitors seeking his services. Last season with the Broncos, Jackson totaled 34 tackles, 5.5 sacks and seven passes defended.
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Truth of the matter is, the Giants can’t expect defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul to ever resemble his former self before his fireworks accident. He’s not the same player he once was and more than likely, no matter how many reconstructive surgeries or different kind of gloves he uses to try and be a difference maker again, it won’t really matter.
The Giants will more than likely move on from Pierre-Paul and replacing him with someone like the caliber of Jackson would help make an immediate impact on their defense. At 6-10 last season, the Giants decided to head in a different direction at head coach by parting ways with Tom Coughlin this offseason and promoting Ben McAdoo from within.
McAdoo has always been an offensive-oriented kind of coach and will continue to build the Giants’ offense into a powerhouse. However, since he’s now a rookie head coach entering his first season as such, defense must be his and general manager Jerry Reese‘s top priority in free agency.
With Pierre-Paul and also defensive end Robert Ayers more than likely hitting free agency, it gives the Giants an opportunity to replace a nonexistent pass rush with with better talent. Jackson in addition to other smart free agency moves to improve their pass rush, could set the Giants up nicely for a bounce back season in 2016.
Since the NFL is mostly a passing league, it’s imperative the Giants get on board and realize a way to achieve major success is by bringing the heat against opposing quarterbacks. Offenses these days are only getting faster, creative and being executed at high levels. But it can be stopped with a potent defense, just like the Broncos took care of business against the high-octane Carolina Panthers straight to a championship.
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Overall, if the Giants want to be able to consider themselves contenders next season, adding Jackson would send a message not only to the rest of the league but to their NFC East neighbors. It’s all about fielding a stout defense and putting the offense of the Giants in a better position to score touchdowns thanks to stopping the opposition.