Kyler Fackrell ready to bring his versatility to Giants

The New York Giants may be looking at linebacker Kyler Fackrell in a similar light to Markus Golden a year ago, but the two are very different players overall.

While Golden is a straight edge rusher, Fackrell is capable of both rushing the passer and dropping into coverage, which is something he feels defensive coordinator Patrick Graham loves about him. It’s also something he’s willing to unleash for the Giants in 2020.

Kyler Fackrell on DC Patrick Graham, who overlapped with him in Green Bay: "I know that he liked my versatility" with the ability to rush and drop. "He's a really sharp dude."

— Dan Salomone (@NYGsalomone) April 2, 2020

Kyler Fackrell: "I have the utmost confidence in myself… I love to rush and I think I'm good at it and I take a lot of pride in dropping." Says having a versatile OLB in Graham's scheme will be "very valuable."

— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) April 2, 2020

Despite recording just one sack in 2019, Fackrell actually believes he played at a higher level than he had a year prior when he finished the season with a career-high 10.5 sacks.

New Giants LB Kyler Fackrell: "I played better (in 2019) than I did the year before (when he had 10 1/2 sacks), despite not getting the numbers I would like. I think I had 200 less rushes, but I ended up with more pressures. As a player, I think I took a step forward.”

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) April 2, 2020

Although Fackrell and the Giants haven’t discussed the specifics of his role — something that may become clearer on Monday — he feels comfortable joining Graham’s system and perhaps above all else, is thrilled to be teaming with Blake Martinez again.

#Giants Fackrell on Martinez – thrilled to be teammates again….was a roommate with him for a time in GBay

— GiantsWFAN (@giantswfan) April 2, 2020