In the days leading up to the start of NFL free agency, I will be breaking down the top free agents at each position, and whether or not they potentially fit in the Giants’ and Jets’ offseason plans.
We started with the quarterbacks, then we tackled the running backs before moving on to the pass-catchers and offensive linemen. After starting with the defensive linemen yesterday, we are now moving on to the linebackers.
Unlike some of the other positions we’ve highlighted, this year’s crop of free agent linebackers is rather strong. Although the list of available linebackers contains some true studs near the top, it also features some solid depth talent towards the bottom, such as Mychal Kendricks, Denzel Perryman and Deone Bucannon. But for the sake of this article, we’re going to focus on the top five, most of whom could step in and immediately boost the defenses of both the Giants and Jets.
The Giants have several linebackers under contract for 2019, but could definitely use an upgrade at the position. Alec Ogletree was acquired from the Rams last offseason, and should once again anchor the middle of New York’s defense. Dave Gettleman signed Kareem Martin to a three-year deal last offseason, and after a poor first campaign in New York, the Giants are hoping he can bounce back in 2019. Joining the two veterans are Lorenzo Carter and BJ Goodson, along with undrafted free agent Tae Davis, who surprised many with his solid performance last season. Look for Gettleman to add at least one impact player to this group.
The linebacker position is less of a concern for the Jets as it is for their MetLife cotenant. Gang Green signed Avery Williamson to a three-year contract last offseason, and boy did it pay off. Williamson shined in his first year with the Jets, and him and Darron Lee form a strong duo on the inside. Jordan Jenkins will be back this season, manning one of the two outside linebacker positions, while the team is debating whether or not to bring Brandon Copeland back as well. Linebacker may not be a big position of need for the Jets this offseason, but with the amount of cap space the team has, you never know who they might pursue in free agency.
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C.J. Mosley
Mosley leads this year’s class of talented free agent linebackers. The 26-year-old has been incredibly durable throughout his career in Baltimore, missing a mere three games over five years. Mosley has finished with at least 105 total tackles in four of his five NFL seasons, earning four trips to the Pro Bowl along the way.
The former first-round pick is in a prime position to break the bank this offseason. Mosley has been named a Second-Team All-Pro four times, including his last three campaigns, and is known for being an above-average defender against the run. While he has been called a liability in pass defense, Mosley showed that he can excel in that aspect of his game back in 2017, when he ranked seventh among linebackers in coverage by Pro Football Focus.
Mosley offers good, but not great, coverage skills along with strong run defense, which should be more than enough for him to land a lucrative deal in free agency.
Possible Giants’ Interest- The Giants could use a lot of help at linebacker, but Mosley is not likely the best solution. Big Blue needs someone great in coverage, which Mosley has not done consistently in his career. Mosley is also looking to cash in big this offseason, which the Giants cannot afford.
Possible Jets’ Interest- With Avery Williamson and Darron Lee set to return in the middle of Gang Green’s next season, the Jets will not be handing Mosley a huge check.
Anthony Barr
Of all the linebackers set to hit free agency next week, Barr is probably the biggest name out there. The soon-to-be 27-year-old has put together an impressive start to his career in Minnesota. During his five years playing for the Vikings, Barr has been named to four Pro Bowls while picking up 13.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and an interception.
Barr made a name for himself after his 2015 campaign in which he excelled in both rushing the passer and in coverage. However, Barr has been unable to match that pass defense production in the three seasons since. Nonetheless, the 6-foot-5 linebacker was one of the best at pressuring the quarterback in 2018, accumulating 23 pressures on just 94 pass-rush snaps, leading all linebackers in pass-rushing productivity percentage.
Barr’s coverage skills could use a little more consistency, but his ability to get to the quarterback should net him a big deal this offseason.
Potential Giants’ Interest- Barr is clearly one of the best blitzing linebackers in the NFL, which the Giants undoubtedly could use. But his struggles in coverage over the last few seasons raise a big red flag. Barr is going to command a big deal in free agency, which will likely place the Giants out of the running for him. But if his price somehow drops into a reasonable range, and Big Blue sheds Olivier Vernon’s contract, Gettleman will likely give Barr a call.
Possible Jets’ Interest- Of all the linebackers listed in this piece, Barr is the one that I could most see the Jets going after. Barr would be a big, big upgrade at outside linebacker over Jordan Jenkins and Brandon Copeland, who both lack the speed, range and coverage ability that Barr has. While linebacker isn’t necessarily the biggest need for Gang Green, the pass rush definitely is, and New York will likely take it wherever they can find it.
Jordan Hicks
Hicks missed most of the 2017 season with an Achilles injury, but came back with a bang this past season. The 26-year-old finished with 91 total tackles along with three sacks and a fumble recovery in 12 games in 2018. The four-year NFL veteran has spent his entire career in Philadelphia, and in his one season playing in all 16 games back in 2016, Hicks racked up an impressive five interceptions.
While Hicks has shown dominance in his coverage abilities in the past, it was his effort against the run that really stood out last year. Hicks posted the best run-defense grade of his career in 2018, earning the 10th-best grade among all linebackers, according to PFF, to go along with just five missed tackles all season. While he has struggled to stay on the field over the last two years, missing 13 games over that span, Hicks has proven to be one of the league’s most talented linebackers in coverage when healthy.
If Hicks can strike a little bit of luck on the injury front next season, he could end up being one of the biggest steals of free agency.
Possible Giants’ Interest- Taking on another injury-prone defender wouldn’t be ideal for the Giants. However, Hicks would fit in perfectly with what Big Blue needs on defense. His skillset in coverage against opposing running backs, tight ends and slot receivers is exactly what the Giants were missing in 2018. At 26-years-old, the Giants can afford to (and should) take a chance on Hicks.
Possible Jets’ Interest- The only way the Jets might pursue Hicks is if Williamson and/or Lee get traded, which doesn’t seem likely at this point.
K.J. Wright
Wright is yet another interesting free agent case, as the long-time Seattle Seahawk is entering free agency having missed 11 contests during the 2018 season. Prior to last year, Wright had served as a model of durability in Seattle, having missed just five games over his first seven NFL seasons.
Wright is one of the more well-rounded free agent options at linebacker this offseason. Known for his skills in coverage along with his run-stopping abilities, the veteran looked good when he returned to the field at the end of last season. Having never been flagged more than three times in a season and with only one campaign of double-digit missed tackles, Wright is clearly one of the most dependable linebackers in the NFL.
Despite only playing in five games, Wright played well in 2018, allowing a reception only once every 13.0 cover snaps, ranking ninth among linebackers. The former fourth-round pick’s versatility will make him a great pickup this offseason.
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Possible Giants’ Interest- While he missed 11 games in 2018, Wright has proven to be one of the league’s most durable linebackers throughout his career. The Giants could use a linebacker that will stay on the field, excel in coverage and stop the run. Wright checks off all three of those boxes. Likely to receive a deal for less than Mosley or Barr, I could see the Giants actively pursuing Wright once free agency opens.
Possible Jets’ Interest- While the Jets love Lee’s performance in coverage, the same cannot be said about Williamson. Wright would provide the Jets with a second linebacker that shines in pass defense, which would also allow Williamson to rush the quarterback more often. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Jets go after Wright next week.
Kwon Alexander
Alexander has shown the ability to do a little bit of everything during his first four years in the NFL. The former LSU linebacker started the first six games of 2018 for Tampa Bay before a torn ACL cut his season short. Yet in those six games, Alexander put his pass-rushing abilities on full display, recording six pressures on just 32 pass-rush snaps, giving him the ninth-best pass-rush grade among linebackers according to PFF.
The former fourth round pick has proven that he can get to the quarterback, as he picked up three sacks in each of his first two seasons as well. But Alexander has also shown that he can do much more than just get to the QB. In 40 games between 2015 and 2017, the 6-foot-1 linebacker amassed an impressive six interceptions. Additionally, Alexander had 11 combined pass breakups in 2015 and 2016 while not allowing a single touchdown in coverage in 2017.
His run defense could use some work, but at just 24-years-old, Alexander has shown the league that he contains all the tools necessary to succeed in the NFL. The big question is, can a team help the young linebacker put everything together in order for him to take the next step in his development, and if so, which team?
Possible Giants’ Interest- While he has shown in previous years that he can perform well in coverage, Alexander was below-average in that area in 2018, in addition to struggling in run defense. His abilities as a pass rusher will be appealing to Gettleman, but the last thing the Giants need is another linebacker that’s a liability in the passing game and against the run. Combine that with the fact that he’s coming off a serious knee injury, and it’s easy to see the Giants staying away from Alexander this offseason.
Possible Jets’ Interest- With Williamson and Lee back in the fold, the Jets don’t have the need for a high-priced middle linebacker, especially one still recovering from a torn ACL.