The New York Giants defense has performed above their weight class this year, but there are still pieces that need to be added to the unit.
Recent free-agent signing Blake Martinez leads the linebacker corps, but things drop off significantly behind him. Devante Downs escaped camp as the expected starter, but seventh-round pick Tae Crowder quickly replaced him. Normally, you wouldn’t want the last pick in the NFL draft to be starting on your defense in his rookie season, but the Giants haven’t had a choice considering his adequate coverage abilities.
So far this year, Crowder has eight combined tackles and a 57.