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Time for New York Giants to Unleash Their 365-Pound Monster
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- Time for New York Giants to Unleash Their 365-Pound Monster
(Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
During the offseason, the New York Giants placed heavy emphasis on improving their run defense. That was why they signed renowned interior defender DJ Reader in free agency, as well as linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.
Additionally, the Giants selected linebacker Arvell Reese with the fifth overall pick of the NFL Draft, and they circled back around to nab Bobby Jamison-Travis in the sixth round.
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New York also picked up veteran Shelby Harris, and later on in the offseason, it acquired 6-foot-6, 365-pound defensive tackle CJ Okoye in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens .
In spite of all of that, the Giants rank just 29th in the league in defending the run, and they are allowing 5.1 yards per carry, which is tied for last.
Reader has been great. Reese has been a mixed bag, which is what you would expect from a rookie. Edmunds has racked up 50 tackles. So what the heck is the issue?
New York has certainly had some trouble containing running quarterbacks, but it was also gashed by the likes of CJ Donaldson and Alvin Kamara (the 2026 version) last week.
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At this point, it might be time for the Giants to unleash Okoye .
Okoye has only played in 25 percent of New York's defensive snaps through six games and is still very raw. In fact, it wasn't long ago that the Nigerian native started playing football.
But his size, strength and unique athleticism make him a force in the trenches, and he needs to be utilized more.
Reader and Okoye are both nose tackles, so it's tough to get them both on the field at the same time. Especially in a modern NFL where traditional defensive packages have become a thing of the past.
However, in order for the Giants to solve their issues stopping the run, they may have no choice but to get Okoye on the field more.
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Okoye is just 25 years old, so he still has plenty of room to grow. But he isn't going to develop if he doesn't play.
New York acquired Okoye just before the regular season because he fills a need. The Giants needed defensive tackle depth, and Okoye provided it.
Now, though, the mammoth lineman may need to be relied upon a bit more.
Okoye himself won't rectify New York's defensive issues, but having his presence on the field more often could be exactly what the Giants need to get started.
He can't be any worse than Darius Alexander, right?
