New York Giants 23.9 PPG, 34 Sacks: Tied 28th

Big Blue had high hopes with the sense of a change, instead they found themselves loving the agent of the third string quarterback. Such was the season for the 2023 New York Giants, who had a terrible season, and one of the worst defenses in the league. 

The Giants allowed 23.9 points per game, and only managed 34 sacks, the bottom five of the league. They traded away Leonard Williams, and suffered from an offense incapable of sustaining drives. They lost one of the best safeties in the league, but did make some moves for 2024. One the front office has a lot of faith in. 

2024 Projection: 30th

The Giants have new faces, but it does not help their offensive woes. The defensive unit is good, but not good enough to overcome it, and their points per game could increase beyond 23.9 of last year. The playmakers they brought in to make an immediate impact are Brian Burns (via the trade with the Carolina Panthers), and third round draft selection Dru Phillips. 

In addition to them Bobby Okereke is expected to have another outstanding year with several tackling opportunities, but more on him later. The New York Giants D/ST should not be drafted in standard leagues, and not in most leagues at all. 

BEST FF IDPs: In Order of Ranking

LB – Bobby Okereke
LB – Brian Burns
DB – Jason Pinnock

Bobby Okereke has been one of the elite linebackers of this decade, yet he doesn’t have one All-Pro or Pro Bowl selection. The Giants could be terrible offensively which would be good for Okereke and other IDPs. In fact the Giants have several serviceable IDPs and limiting to three was difficult.

It was not difficult to put Okereke at the top of the list as he is the unquestioned best IDP on the Giants roster. He recorded 149 combined tackles, 92 of which were solo tackles. He has recorded 140 or more in his last three seasons, and is on track to do it again. 

Okereke experienced career best in tackles for loss 11, passes defended 10, forced fumbles 4, sacks 2.5, and interceptions 2. Those are all around great numbers for an interior linebacker. He is a popular name on a popular team, so if you want to draft him, know that he is usually one of the top ten linebackers to be drafted. He should be well worth the higher draft capital though.

Brian Burns was traded for in order to help improve what is a bottom five pass rush. Being paired with Kayvon Thibodeaux should help Burns’ numbers as well. Opposing offenses will not be able to exclusively focus on Burns. 

Burns is a two time Pro Bowl selection and has 46 career sacks, not bad for five seasons. He has also acquired 50 or more tackles in every season since his rookie year. The leadership and consistency will be leaned on heavily in 2024, and Burns is a sneaky IDP with more value in leagues that reward sacks with more points.

Jason Pinnock was the third selection for this article, but there are several that could be considered. Pinnock had a stellar 2023 and will be asked to do more with Xavier McKinney leaving in free agency. He is more of capable of handling the extra duty, and should see plenty of snaps.

Pinnock recorded 85 tackles, and had the longest returned interception of 2023, 103 resulting in a touchdown. Pinnock is also only in his fourth year in the NFL, and could have a breakout year, recording personal best along the way. In leagues which require 2 or more defensive backs, he is absolutely worth a late round draft pick. In standard leagues he could be left undrafted, but if there is a deep bench stash him as he could be a surprise top 12 defensive back.

 Tomorrow the Denver Broncos.

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Bet Smart, Be Lucky – Iggy

All statistics come from pro-football-reference and Sleeperbot.