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New York Giants: 3 Linebackers to target in 2019 NFL free agency

By Stephen Smith

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 13: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers is hit by outside linebacker Dee Ford #55 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 13, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 13: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers is hit by outside linebacker Dee Ford #55 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 13, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /
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The New York Giants need to upgrade their linebacker corps. Here are a trio of players they should target in NFL free agency.

The New York Giants could certainly use an upgrade at the linebacker position. Big Blue ranked 20th in the NFL in rushing defense in 2018, allowing 118.6 yards per game.

Now, that’s not all the fault of their linebacker corps but the G-Men could certainly use an infusion of more talent in their base 3-4 defensive alignment.

Here are three linebackers who are impending free agents that would certainly fit that bill and provide New York with a much-needed upgrade:

Dee Ford

The Kansas City standout finished second on the Chiefs in sacks (13) and led the league in forced fumbles (7) last year, earning Pro Bowl honors for the first time as one of the top edge rushers in the NFL. That’s exactly what the Giants are looking for — someone who can consistently pressure the quarterback.

Big Blue recorded just 30 sacks in 2018, tied for 30th in the league with New England, so that has to change. Ford may be franchise tagged. Could you blame the Chiefs for doing so? However, general manager Dave Gettleman has to at least make the effort to sign the dynamic 27-year old edge rushing linebacker if he is not franchise-tagged by Kansas City. He’s exactly what the G-Men need.

C.J.Mosley

If the Giants can’t land Ford, they should turn their eyes to one of the premier run-stopping inside linebackers in the NFL in Mosley. The Baltimore Ravens star made the Pro Bowl by leading the Ravens with 105 tackles last season (including six for loss) while adding an interception and five passes defensed.

His forte is stopping the ground attack of the opposition and the University of Alabama product would instantly become Big Blue’s best inside linebacker. He’s in his prime at 26 years of age and durable as well, having missed just three games in his five-year career. He’s a four-time Pro Bowler to boot. The Giants could do a lot worse.

Anthony Barr

Another linebacker the G-Men should look into is the veteran Minnesota Vikings standout. The UCLA product is not flashy like Ford but he’s made the Pro Bowl for four consecutive years as a strongside linebacker. Barr recorded 55 tackles for the Vikings in 13 games (including eight for loss) and three sacks in 2018.

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Rushing the quarterback is not his strength but he does have 13.5 career sacks. Barr flows to the football very well and would provide Big Blue with a steady, dependable run stopper in a division that features Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys) and the ageless Adrian Peterson (Redskins). He’d be my third choice of the trio, but he’d be a tremendous acquisition nonetheless.

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