The New York Giants concluded (maybe?) a flurry of free agent moves on Thursday night by signing defensive end/linebacker Markus Golden to a one-year deal.
Even prior to trading linebacker Olivier Vernon to the Cleveland Browns as part of an Odell Beckham Jr. deal, the Giants were in desperate need of pass-rushers.
After finishing next-to-last in sacks in 2018, Golden should help propel the team’s defense forward in 2019.
Her are five things to know.
Former second-round pick
Golden, a stud at Missouri, was named Second Team All-SEC in 2014 and Citrus Bowl MVP in 2015, which improved his stock heading into the 2015 NFL Draft.
There, Golden fell out of Round 1, but was promptly snatched up in the second-round (No. 58 overall) by the Arizona Cardinals.
The 28-year-old Golden had spent the entirety of his career with Arizona prior to Thursday.
Familiarity with James Bettcher
Golden will see a very familiar face when he arrives in East Rutherford by way of defensive coordinator James Bettcher, who served in the same role for Arizona from 2015-2017.
With Bettcher calling the shots, Golden recorded 93 tackles, 12 stuffs, six forced fumbles, one pass defensed and 16.5 sacks in three seasons.
Golden also had a career year under Bettcher, recording 12.5 sacks and seven stuffs in 2016.
A better 3-4 fit
Golden didn’t just put up better numbers during his days playing under James Bettcher, but did so because the Cardinals played a 3-4 defense.
After Bettcher’s departure in 2018, the Cardinals went back to an experiential 4-3 system, so Golden was forced inside and out of position.
In 11 games, he recorded just 30 tackles and 2.5 sacks, which fell well below his 16-game career averages.
Record-setting High School player
While Golden has made his name chasing down quarterbacks in the NFL, his previous life was highlighted by setting records out of the backfield.
While attending Affton High School just outside of St. Louis, Missouri, Golden tallied 2,264 yards and 30 touchdowns as a senior running back. He also recorded 108 tackles and 10 sacks as a linebacker.
During his junior season, Golden recorded a school-record 168 tackles and 16 sacks. For good measure, he also rushed for 1,139 yards and scored 16 touchdowns.
Torn ACL in 2017
While Golden was forced back into a 4-3 in 2018, there are some who believe his lack of production stems from a torn ACL a year earlier.
In an 18-15 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in October of 2017, Golden suffered a torn ACL and was lost for the year, limiting him to just four games, 11 tackles and no sacks.
Golden, who took roughly 10 months to be cleared, returned the following year, but as noted earlier, suffered in terms of production.
He is expected to be fully healthy in 2019.
