Giants Offseason Pt. 3: The Linebacker Issue

Behold Devon Kennard, the first really encouraging LB the Giants drafted in the TC era.  And, in fact, Devon Kennard is exactly the kind of versatile, LB/DE they kept whiffing on, like Sintim and Torbor.  Let's hope this is the start of a hot streak, because the Giants haven't had a good core of LB's since two thirds of it were made up of Armstead and Barrow.  Yes, Pierce and Kavika Mitchell were effective on the way to `42, but we just haven't been able to find them in the draft with anywhere near the frequency we once did.

Further, with the questions about Beason's health and his cap number, the Giants may need to find two starting LB's between free agency and the draft this year.  Jacquian Williams has made the occasional play, but never really developed into a reliable starter.  And some depth may arise from last year's passel of UDFA's, but the Giants will also need to add depth, because what they have is not good.

Thus, pending the re-signing of JPP, LB and Safety are probably the Giants biggest needs -- beyond a coherent coordinator -- and for a team that wants to get back to stopping the run, they'll have to hit on both in Free Agency and the Draft.

UPDATE:  The Giants have signed LB Victor Butler to a future reserve deal.  If his knee is healed, this could turn out nicely as he is similar to Kennard.