When free agency officially gets underway in March, one of the top priorities for the New York Giants may very well be at outside linebacker, where they are in desperate need of quality pass rushers.
Although they are expected to retain Olivier Vernon — a player who may be asked to take a pay cut — the Giants are still in need of someone to fill the void on the other side of the field after finishing second-to-last in the league in sacks.
Might Jadeveon Clowney provide the solution New York seeks?
Gil Brandt of NFL Network recently ran down a list of the best free agent fits and he considered that very same option for the Giants, ultimately deeming it a good match.
Jadeveon Clowney, LB: NEW YORK GIANTS. He’s a very talented player who’s registered 18.5 sacks over the past two seasons, and while he’s played alongside defensive studs like J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus in Houston, I do think Clowney is capable of anchoring a pass rush on his own. The Giants ranked 23rd against the pass and tied for 30th in sacks (30), and they could certainly use him.
While Clowney is an intriguing potential option — an extremely talented player who could excel in a 3-4 system — he’s likely to command a significant contract on the free agent market.
If the Houston Texans do not place the franchise tag on him, Clowney may very well be looking for a contract in the six-year, $100 million range. And with less than $30 million in salary cap space, plus safety Landon Collins to deal with, Clowney may be out of the Giants’ range.
Still, Clowney on the Giants is an intriguing prospect. If they are able to clear some additional cap space and fill holes along the offensive line, Clowney could be a defensive game-changer.
