As part of The Post’s 2021 NFL Draft preview, we’re exploring what the Giants could do in each position. Wednesday: Linebacker.
The Giants haven’t taken a linebacker in the first round of an NFL Draft since winning gold with Carl Banks in 1984. That streak isn’t expected to end this year unless the Giants are in love with Penn State’s Micah Parsons and worthy of him. deem. of the number 11 general choice. Parsons is a crazy athlete, but there’s a position value to consider when taking an inside-linebacker that high – is he a three-down player? Parsons also has incidents in his past that need to be evaluated.
For the sake of clarity, we will not count edge rusher-outside linebacker types in its category.
At inside linebacker, the Giants have one proven good in Blake Martinez, who had a sensational debut season after arriving at the free agency. He is a smart player and makes the defensive calls, in sync with coordinator Patrick Graham. After Martinez, it’s mix-and-match.
Reggie Ragland was signed and the four-year veteran could appear as a starter as a run-stopper. Tae Crowder showed promise as a rookie. Devante Downs was re-signed for depth and TJ Brunson, who played in only five games as a rookie, is also back. Bringing an inside linebacker into later rounds is always an option. As for Parsons, his athletic and physical abilities are special and it would be something to link him to Martinez. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in round 2 would be interesting, as Graham would know what to do with this tweener if he slides into round two.