Anyone who watched intently or only caught a glimpse of what the Giants were all about in 2019 knew in painful detail that their defense was, well, in need of repair. This is why they focused on that side of the ball Monday as free agency kicked off.
It is why early Tuesday they agreed to terms with inside linebacker Blake Martinez, a former Packers tackling machine, on a three-year deal worth a reported $30 million.
Earlier, the Giants came to terms with cornerback James Bradberry. So, with two moves, two starting defensive players were added, with more work to be done.
As the NFL free-agent negotiating window opened, the Giants reached out to gauge the interest and price of several linebackers they believe could slide into the starting job vacated when Alec Ogletree was released. They inquired about Nick Kwiatkoski of the Bears before he signed a three-year deal with the Raiders worth $21 million. There was also an inquiry regarding outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins, who had 15 sacks the past two seasons for the Jets.
And yes, the Giants did some reconnaissance on Jadeveon Clowney, who will cost big, big bucks — possibly as much as $23 million per year. It remains to be seen how high the Giants are willing to go for an undeniably dynamic player who has never hit double-digit sacks in a season.
It is Martinez who is coming aboard.
Martinez, 26, was a 2016 fourth-round pick of the Packers out of Stanford. He had 144 total tackles in 2017 and again in 2018, and came away with a career-high 155 tackles in 2019. He started all 16 games for the Packers in each of the past three seasons and, at 6 feet 2 and 237 pounds, he is durable and dependable, especially against the run. Last season, he led all linebackers in solo tackles with 114.
The problem? Well, there was a feeling in Green Bay that Martinez did not make enough of those tackles in the desired spots on the field. Of Martinez’s 512 career combined tackles, only 29 are tackles for loss. The Packers were 26th in the NFL last season in run defense, allowing 128.7 yards per game. The Giants were 20th at 113.2 yards per game.
If Ryan Connelly is able to make a successful return coming off knee surgery, the Giants will be set at inside linebacker. Connelly started three games as a rookie and had interceptions in back-to-back games before tearing his ACL, ending his season. The Giants also re-signed David Mayo to a three-year deal worth $8.4 million as insurance and to battle for a starting job. Mayo started 13 games last season and had 82 tackles, showing excellent instincts in the running game.
As a true inside player, Martinez was not asked to rush the passer much in Green Bay. He has 10 career sacks. Pro Football Focus ranked Martinez as the No. 38 linebacker in the league last season. It remains to be seen if Martinez can be a three-down linebacker for the Giants, as dropping back in coverage is not his strong suit.
Adding Martinez and Bradberry does not address the need for an improved pass rush. Jenkins would be the sort of lower-key addition to help a pass rush in need of upgrades. Jenkins had eight sacks for the Jets in 2019. A 2016 third-round draft pick, Jenkins in 50 career starts has 20.5 sacks.
There is a Giants connection here. Their new inside linebackers coach Kevin Sherrer, who was Jenkins’ position coach at the University of Georgia.
General manager Dave Gettleman predicted most or all of the big-name edge rushers would be tagged and thus never make it to the open market. That is indeed what happened, as Chris Jones (Chiefs), Shaq Barrett (Buccaneers), Yannick Ngakoue (Jaguars), Matt Judon (Ravens) and Bud Dupree (Steelers) were all protected by their teams with the franchise tag.
At present, the Giants have outside linebackers Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines as their primary returning pass rushers. Both had 4.5 sacks last season. Markus Golden, who led the team with 10 sacks, is an unrestricted free agent.