In our ongoing effort to prepare you for the New York Giants’ training camp, we offer another unit preview. This time, it’s the defensive line.
The Giants will bring 10 players to camp in late July, a mix of seasoned veterans, free-agent additions, and young hopefuls.
Here’s a quick rundown of who and what to expect this summer.
Coaching staff
Shane Bowen (defensive coordinator), Andre Patterson (unit coach), Bryan Cox (assistant)
Bowen is in his second season as the coordinator. Patterson, in his fourth year with the Giants, is one of the most respected DL coaches in the NFL with 21 total years of experience. Cox, also in his fourth season in blue, brings the same intensity he did as a player.
“We’ve got good depth,” Bowen said this spring. “The versatility is great, but let’s make sure we don’t overload them to the point where we take away their ability out there to go play as well. So, really encouraged with the D-line group. Dre does a really good job, BCox, with these guys. Hopefully, we can continue to improve and get rolling.”
Alignment: 3-4
Nose tackle
It all begins with All-Pro Dexter Lawrence, arguably the best in the business. He had the most sacks of any defensive lineman (9.0) with 16 QB hits when he dislocated his elbow in Week 13 and was shelved for the season. Lawrence played an ungodly amount of snaps for a 340-pound man, taking nearly 80 percent of the defensive plays last year.
As Bowen stated, the playing time will have to be more equitable this year, but when Lawrence was out of the lineup, it was extremely noticeable. Both the pass rush and the Giants need to find the right players to spell him when he’s on the sidelines. Jordon Riley and D.J. Davidson will get a chance to be Dexter’s understudy again this year, but there could be others under consideration as well.
Defensive end
The Giants have veteran Rakeem Nunez-Roches (aka Nacho) listed as the starter. He started 15 games last season and made 52 total stops, had six QB hits, and 2.0 sacks. He’ll get to defend his spot in camp. His challengers will be free agent Jeremiah Ledbetter and second-year player Elijah Chatman, who was the only Giants lineman to dress for all 17 games last season.
The Giants would like to see him take a leap in his development. Elijah Garcia is also on the roster but will have to leapfrog the others to make the team.
Defensive tackle
Veteran free agent Roy Robertson-Harris will likely be penciled in as the starter when camp begins, but he might just be keeping the seat warm for prized rookie Darius Alexander.
Cory Durden was added late last season from the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad after the injury bug hit. He will also get a shot this summer.
Overall outlook
Lawrence needs to stay healthy to hold this whole group together. He also needs a load management plan so that he’s still somewhat fresh in the fourth quarter. That would entail the others to step up their collective games. Robertson-Harris and Ledbetter can add some relief, but also can’t be overloaded.
The Giants simply need to play better as a unit, and that is likely to happen now that they have one year of Bowen’s system under their belt.
Alexander could end up being the answer to much of the unit’s issues, if he is the baller that experts project. Chatman’s continued improvement would go a long way to solidifying this unit as well.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants training camp preview: Defensive line
Reporting by John Fennelly, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
