An informative 950-word article by our friend Colin Lindsay on Defensive Ends -- a position of need for the Giants in the 2022 Draft. This class appears loaded.
Below I've broken out all of the DEs mentioned, along with their current S-T-D Tackles; Tackles for Loss (TFL); and Sacks:
Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon)
34 Tackles; 10.0 TFL; 6.0 Sacks
Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan)
42 Tackles; 10.5 TFL; 9.0 Sacks
George Karlaftis (Purdue)
31 Tackles; 7.0 TFL; 2.5 Sacks
Drake Jackson (USC)
35 Tackles; 7.0 TFL; 5.0 Sacks
David Ojabo (Michigan)
27 Tackles; 10.0 TFL; 10.0 Sacks
Jermaine Johnson (Florida State)
61 Tackles; 15.5 TFL; 10.5 Sacks
Isaiah Foskey (Notre Dame)
43 Tackles; 7.5 TFL; 8.0 Sacks
Cameron Thomas (San Diego State)
57 Tackles; 16.5 TFL; 8.5 Sacks
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Strange, cannot find DOB anywhere...
So 23y/o at draft?
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Anyone know how old he is? I see red shirt senior but no dob. He’s a terror but if he’s a man amongst boys you have to downgrade for that.
Strange, cannot find DOB anywhere...
Did he play in the Little League World Series?
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In comment 15456199 armstead98 said:
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Anyone know how old he is? I see red shirt senior but no dob. He’s a terror but if he’s a man amongst boys you have to downgrade for that.
Strange, cannot find DOB anywhere...
Did he play in the Little League World Series?
Ha ha ha - good one!
Link - ( New Window )
So 23y/o at draft?
Seems right.
Link - ( New Window )
I would expect Thibs and Hutch to be gone by the time the Giants pick, though hopefully the Bears keep losing. IMO, either are a no-brainer if there. If not, Ojabo or Johnson is an option. I just hope it works out where they get one of those 4, as well as an OL they have ranked high in the 1st.
I find it difficult to know what type of edge the Giants need
Do they want a prototpye 4-3 end or do they want a 3-4 outside linebacker ?
Do they want a player with position flexibility who can play multiple possitions ?
There is depth with all types of positions and the Giants could get more than one DL
If we're lucky enough to see a full rebuild with a new regime, I would imagine that a new defense is on the table as well.
Art of strip sack - ( New Window )
so getting one or two of these guys would be great.
But pass rushing won't tip the scales for this sorry franchise so long as its offense can't put together a string of first downs, controlling the tempo of the game, and allowing these defensive ends to watch large chunks of the game sitting on the sideline.
Yep, ignore the oline again.
Knock me over with a feather if the Giants don't come away with at least one offensive lineman in first round.
I find it difficult to know what type of edge the Giants need
Do they want a prototpye 4-3 end or do they want a 3-4 outside linebacker ?
Do they want a player with position flexibility who can play multiple positions ?
There is depth with all types of positions and the Giants could get more than one DL
Colin's article about the defense at midseason on GBN discussed this problem. Most of the time we run a 4-2 defense but don't have the right edges to run that defense because lot of times they can't get enough push or leverage on the offensive linemen (bull rush seems to be the only move) or get washed out in the run game. This offseason, the Giants are going to have to decide how they want to run their defense because their amoeba defense isn't working.
Giants' mid-season grades, Part deux: The defense - ( New Window )
I love Hutchinson too, but both Thib & Hutchinson could be long gone by the time the Giants pick.
If so - Ojabo is difficult to ignore. Pure speed rusher with an Osi-like ability to knock the ball out. And he's 6'5". He'd improve the team dramatically as that sorely needed blindside Edge Rusher. Like Ojabo & Ojulari as a duo, too.
I would expect Thibs and Hutch to be gone by the time the Giants pick, though hopefully the Bears keep losing. IMO, either are a no-brainer if there. If not, Ojabo or Johnson is an option. I just hope it works out where they get one of those 4, as well as an OL they have ranked high in the 1st.
Karlaftis seems to be the type of edge rusher who does a lot more contain, sets edge in the run game. Uses power a lot when actually pass-rushing, often nearly gets there but not quite isn't especially fast and doesn't change direction real well.
This is a game tape from the Purdue vs. Iowa game this year; Karlaftis is no. 5 for Purdue.
George Karlaftis (Purdue EDGE) vs Iowa 2021 - ( New Window )
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the one thing that stands out there in the stats is his lack of pass-rushing production. Between that, and the projections of him as more of a 4-3 end, I'd be surprised if he were an option.
I would expect Thibs and Hutch to be gone by the time the Giants pick, though hopefully the Bears keep losing. IMO, either are a no-brainer if there. If not, Ojabo or Johnson is an option. I just hope it works out where they get one of those 4, as well as an OL they have ranked high in the 1st.
Karlaftis seems to be the type of edge rusher who does a lot more contain, sets edge in the run game. Uses power a lot when actually pass-rushing, often nearly gets there but not quite isn't especially fast and doesn't change direction real well.
This is a game tape from the Purdue vs. Iowa game this year; Karlaftis is no. 5 for Purdue. George Karlaftis (Purdue EDGE) vs Iowa 2021 - ( New Window )
He was dominant. Alot of pressure. Made the RT look silly a bunch of times. Iowa OL has put out some really good NFL OL too.
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with our likely top 10 picks. Imagine having two of these players combined with Ojulari? All in their early 20’s on rookie contracts?
Yep, ignore the oline again.
You’re right, we have to go offensive line with one of the picks if the talent aligns. I was dreaming of having that three man force at edge again.
Honestly, the Giants have done well historically at finding DE’s post round 1. Strahan, Osi, Tuck, Ojulari now.
Getting back to Big Blue tradition. You can never have too many pass rushers with African names.
I wouldn't mind taking Hutchinson and either one of them if they're available.
Me too. I like edge with the first pick and then BPA second.
Possibly Linderbaum or Ekwonu.
Defense with a pass rush and a hopefully healthy Blake Martinez looks a whole lot different
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In comment 15456308 eric2425ny said:
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with our likely top 10 picks. Imagine having two of these players combined with Ojulari? All in their early 20’s on rookie contracts?
Yep, ignore the oline again.
You’re right, we have to go offensive line with one of the picks if the talent aligns. I was dreaming of having that three man force at edge again.
Honestly, the Giants have done well historically at finding DE’s post round 1. Strahan, Osi, Tuck, Ojulari now.
I think the rest of the league caught on to the Ernie Accorsi strategy and guys like that don't fall unless there is some non onfield issue.
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Me too. I like edge with the first pick and then BPA second.
Possibly Linderbaum or Ekwonu.
That's what I've done when I do mock drafts; go for edge with the first pick and BPA for IOL; depending on where I end up these have been either Green, Ekwonu or Linderbaum (he's grown on me).