On Tuesday, it was reported that New York Giants free agent to be Jason Pierre-Paul will be seeking a contract worth 85 million dollars.
If Pierre-Paul sticks to that number, then his time with Big Blue will come to an end, because there’s no way the Giants are spending that kind of money on the best seven and a half finger player in the NFL.So with Pierre-Paul no longer in the mix, how do the Giants go about replacing him? They desperately need another pass rusher to play opposite to Olivier Vernon.
Here are three viable options to replace JPP:
1. Romeo Okwara– 6-foot-5 265 lbs
The Giants might be able to replace him in house with undrafted rookie Romeo Okwara.
When Pierre-Paul was lost for the season with sports hernia, Okwara stepped in. He had his best game against the Cowboys in Week 14 when he had eight tackles and a sack. He also had a sack in the Giants playoff loss to the Packers.
Okwara’s base salary for 2017 is $540,000. If the Giants feel he can fill the void JPP leaves behind, they’ll have more money to resign defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins and improve the offensive line.
2. Taco Charlton- 6’6 272 lbs
The defensive end from Michigan is one of the best pass rushers in this upcoming draft. He led the Michigan Wolverines with 9.5 sacks and was named to First Team All-Big Ten.
He has long arms which is what you want an edge rusher to have, and his big game experience in college will help be ready to be a starter at training camp.
Question is, will he still be available when the Giants are on the clock? The Giants have the 23rd pick in the draft and Charlton is projected to go anywhere from the late teens to the early 20’s.
3. Mario Addison– 6’3 260 lbs
Last season with the Carolina Panthers, Mario Addison had a career high 9.5 sacks. He’s not a flashy name but he is a solid defensive end.
Pro Football Focus gives him an 83.6 rating. The 29-year old Addison’s base salary in 2016 was just $1,350,000, so he’ll be looking for a significant jump in pay since he’s nearing the end of his prime.
If his asking price is reasonable he might be a good fit with the G-Men.
