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New York Giants Training Camp Position Preview: Inside Linebacker

Can Bobby Okereke hold down the center of the Giants defense and help their depleted run stopping ability?

Andrew Parsaud

New York Giants Training Camp Position Preview: Inside Linebacker
New York Giants Training Camp Position Preview: Inside Linebacker /
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We're taking an in-depth look at the New York Giants position groups before the start of training camp--the battles, the players, the questions, and more.

Here is our look at the inside linebackers.

Bobby Okereke / Robert Scheer-USA TODAY Sports

Rostered Players

Bobby Okereke, Darrian Beavers, Micah McFadden, Carter Coughlin, Cam Brown, Troy Brown, Dyontae Johnson

Position Group Overview

The biggest hole the Giants needed to address this offseason was at the inside linebacker position. The Giants haven’t had a true every-down middle linebacker since Blake Martinez in 2020.

Tae Crowder, who was respectable as the second inside linebacker, was thrust into the number one role and couldn’t produce like they needed him to. Last season was a trainwreck at the position, to put it nicely. Jaylon Smith was brought back during the season but to no avail.

The team even brought in Landon Collins in a hybrid role, placing him in the box. Micah McFadden, appearing in all 17 games as a rookie, totaled 59 tackles, six tackles for loss, and two sacks.

When free agency began, one of general manager Joe Schoen’s first moves was signing former Colts linebacker Bobby Okereke to be the team’s every-down inside linebacker. Okereke had 130+ tackles in the last two seasons and is also solid in coverage.

OTHER POSITION GROUPS

Running Backs | Tight Ends | Wide Receivers | Offensive Line |  Quarterbacks | Defensive Line

Biggest Question Mark

Who will start next to Okereke in the base defense?

Jarrad Davis was in the mix, but he suffered a knee injury that landed him on season-ending injured reserve.

With Davis out, the top two options to stand next to Okereke are McFadden and Beavers. Beavers, who was becoming a standout last summer, tore his ACL during the preseason, prematurely ending his rookie season.

In a sense, this will be Beavers’ rookie year, but can he do enough to once again show the coaching staff that he’s capable of taking on that role? Or will McFadden, who played valuable snaps as a rookie, take a year two leap and stand out amongst the rest of the competition? Only time will tell.

Key Training Camp Battle to Watch

The camp battle to watch is the spot next to Okereke’s. However, the battle could be down to two players: McFadden and Beavers. Davis would’ve been in the mix, but with him out and barring the team signing a veteran at the position, McFadden and Beavers will be battling it out.

McFadden might have the upper hand for now. He has in-game experience, which Beavers doesn’t have due to injury. However, Beavers was well on his way to seeing playing time as a rookie. If he didn’t get hurt, how much would McFadden have played?

The coaching staff was impressed with Beavers’ growth last summer. Coming off of the injury and being fully healthy heading into camp, can Beavers show them the same potential from last summer?

Training Camp Position Grade: C+

Adding Okereke puts the Giants miles ahead of where they were last season at this position. The grade is low due to the players behind Okereke. The Giants are banking on the potential of two Day 3 picks from last year. There's nothing wrong with late-round picks, but having them compete for a starting role concerns some fans.

Carter Coughlin and Cam Brown, primarily special teamers, will see the field as backups. Troy Brown and Dyontae Johnson are also looking to make an impact,

Early 53-man Roster Projection

  • Starter: Bobby Okereke, Darrian Beavers
  • Backups: Micah McFadden, Cam Brown, Carter Coughlin
  • Practice Squad: Dyontae Johnson, Troy Brown
  • Cut: N/A

Going into Week 1 last season, the Giants carried five inside linebackers. They’ll do the same this year, with Okereke and Beavers as the starters. Beavers was becoming a favorite among the defensive staff last summer and could very well pick up where he left off.

McFadden will rotate in with Cam Brown and Carter Coughlin sparingly seeing the field on defense. For the practice squad, Dyontae Johnson and Troy Brown are projected to end up there for now. One could impress during the summer and earn a spot, but considering their circumstances before camp, they’ll be practice squad candidates for now.

If the Giants elect to sign another inside linebacker before camp begins to replace Jarrad Davis, that player could be inserted as the starter next to Okereke or the primary backup. This is one of the top positions fans must pay attention to this summer.

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Andrew Parsaud
ANDREW PARSAUD

Andrew Parsaud is currently attending Penn State, where he is studying digital journalism and media. He is an avid follower of the major New York sports teams. 

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