This coming season, the New York Giants’ defensive line should rank among their strongest. Despite dealing away Leonard Williams during the regular season and losing A’Shawn Robinson to free agency, they still lack depth on the interior.
If the Giants want to advance this season, they will have to rely on Jordon Riley, a defensive lineman in his second year.
Riley will have the chance to start opposite Dexter Lawrence, but he will have to establish his value in that capacity.
The Giants are thin on the interior of their defensive line
Riley’s fellow rookie D.J. Davidson is in competition with Riley for the starting spot. The season prior, following Williams’ trade, the third-year player enjoyed an increase in playing time. He concluded the season with 0.5 sacks, two pass defenses, one tackle for loss, and 13 total tackles. Rakeem Nunez-Roches, a seasoned player, is still with them. In 2023, Nunez-Roches, also known as “Nacho,” made four starts for the Giants, recording 26 total tackles, one for loss. The fact that he is the only seasoned player vying for this starting position may force him to take on a bigger role in the forthcoming campaign.
Jordon Riley could step into a starting role
Riley has a chance to be selected for the No. 2 starting interior defensive lineman position because there isn’t much competition.
Riley was selected by the Giants in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft, however he only saw 136 defensive snaps in his rookie campaign. Despite playing little and showing promise in the preseason, he finished with eight combined tackles and one tackle for loss.
Riley thrilled supporters with his play against the Carolina Panthers during the previous preseason, stoking their expectations for the future:
Riley may earn more playing time in 2024 regardless of whether he is selected to start because of the team’s shallow inside line. Riley will most likely be used as a priority backup if he doesn’t end up starting for the Giants’ defensive line and in the defensive line rotation unless they add someone late in the summer through free agency.
Get related news on
sportchannel.co.uk
Leave a Reply