New York Giants: 5 Top targets in 2020 NFL free agency
By Joe Kipp
4. Yannick Ngakoue, DE
Similarly to Dante Fowler, defensive end Yannick Ngakoue would add a much-needed boost to the Giants’ pass rush in 2020. Aside from Lorenzo Carter, no edge rusher had a marked impact for New York this past season. Adding another young, promising rusher like Ngakoue would only help accelerate Carter’s development.
Ngakoue was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2017 when he posted a career-best 12.0 sacks and six forced fumbles. In his four seasons in the league, Ngakoue has never posted less than 8.0 sacks in a season. He’s totaled 37.5 sacks in his young career.
Even though he’s already been in the NFL for four years, Ngakoue turns 25 years old this March. As a young pass-rusher who’s proven himself already, it’s expected that Ngakoue could receive a contract with an average annual salary of $17-18 million, according to Spotrac’s market value assessment.
The Giants would have to break the bank to acquire him, but adding Ngakoue to their front seven would change the entire complexion of the defense for years to come. It seems he’s guaranteed for at least eight sacks per year at this point.