As part of The Post’s 2021 NFL draft preview, we explore what the Giants can do at each position. Wednesday: Linebacker.
The Giants have not taken a lineout player in the first round of an NFL draft since hitting gold with Carl Banks in 1984. The series is not expected to break this year unless the Giants fall in love with Penn State’s Micah Parsons and consider him worthy. 11 of the overall choice. Parsons is a freak athlete, but there is positional value to consider when taking an inside player that high – is he a player down three? Parsons also has incidents in his past that need to be evaluated.
For the sake of clarity, we will not count the randruster lineline types in this category.
The giants have a proven commodity in Blake Martinez, who experienced a sensational debut season after arriving at a free agency. He is a keen player and calls the defense, in line with coordinator Patrick Graham. After Martinez, it’s mix-and-match.
Reggie Ragland has been signed and the four-year veteran can retire as a starter. Tae Crowder promised as a rookie. Devante Downs were re-signed for depth and TJ Brunson, who played just five games as a rookie, is also back. Taking an inside of the lineout ball is later an option. As for Parsons, his athletic ability and physical skills are special, and it’s something to see when he connects with Martinez. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in Round 2 will be interesting because Graham will know what to do with this ‘tweener’ as he moves down to the second round.