The New York Giants opened the “legal tampering” part of free agency by expressing a “significant interest” in linebacker Preston Smith, but he’s not the only edge rusher they are keeping an eye on.
Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports the Giants have been in linebacker Deone Bucannon of the Arizona Cardinals.
Drafted in the first round by the Arizona Cardinals out of Washington State as a safety, Bucannon made his name as a “money backer” for James Bettcher in 2015 with 90 tackles, three sacks, 11 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception for a touchdown.
Bucannon thrived as a linebacker the next two seasons, but did not fare well as a 4-3 ‘backer after Bettcher’s departure in 2018.
In 13 games a season ago, Bucannon recorded a career-low 38 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble.
