There are all sorts of “positional value” warnings about taking an off-ball linebacker so high in the draft. To wit: They are not on the field often enough to part with such valuable draft capital. They can be found in later rounds. You invest in edge rushers and cornerbacks, not inside linebackers.
With the Giants, this discussion can go even further. They released Bobby Okereke and signed Tremaine Edmunds to a three-year, $36 million contract. He is a proven eight-year veteran (Bills, Bears) with 900 career tackles, long (6-foot-4) and sturdy (251 pounds) and turns 28 on May 2. He will start, so why is linebacker a spot of need for the Giants?
“Here’s the thing,” said [Carl] Banks — the respected, say-what-he-believes, longtime Giants radio analyst. “We’ve kind of been a microwave mindset with fans and even with some scout type people, everything is so tied to salary cap. Free agency, in my opinion, is now for now, the draft is now for later.
“It’s the reality of football, players get older, and you have an older player who’s still very productive in Edmunds, but for how much longer and will you be looking to upgrade the position in two years? Well, you got it now if you draft Styles.”