The New York Giants added a number of new faces this offseason from wide receiver Golden Tate to safety Antoine Bethea, and from defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to cornerback Julian Love.
However, it’s rookie edge rusher Oshane Ximines who Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report believes is the Giants’ “most dangerous new weapon.”
Oshane Ximines became the first player drafted into the league from Old Dominion. He holds program records in sacks (33.0), tackles for loss (51.5) and forced fumbles (11).
Ximines has the athleticism paired with the technical skill to excel at a high level. He caught defensive coordinator James Bettcher’s attention with those qualities (h/t Big Blue View’s Chris Pflum).
“Saw a guy that could flip and had athleticism to move in space,” Bettcher said. “If you are picking a prototypical outside linebacker, he has some of both of those skills. He has the rush skills and has skills in his hips to open, change in space and change who the rusher is.”
There’s no question about Ximines’ pass-rushing capability. It’s his movement in space that will help him to reach another level of production. If Bettcher can keep offenses guessing as to which outside linebacker goes downhill and who’s dropping into coverage, the rookie can neutralize receiving tight ends.
Ximines could push to be the team’s sack leader and force opposing quarterbacks to think twice about throwing short out routes.
Ximines is expected to come in and contribute from Day 1, but it’s unlikely he’ll see enough defensive snaps to lead the team in sacks this coming season. However, James Bettcher & Co. absolutely intend to use him as a rotational edge rusher who sees the field in pass rush situations.
