Defensive POY: Robert Ayers, DE
In what was a dismal year for the New York Giants defense, one bright spot was defensive end Robert Ayers. Giants fans despaired when Jason Pierre-Paul injured his hand over the summer, but Ayers was a more than capable replacement.
He led the Giants with 9.5 sacks, and added 41 tackles, four passes defensed, and two forced fumbles, per Pro Football Focus – all career highs. The Giants should definitely take another chance with Ayers, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent. Whether or not the Giants keep JPP, or draft a defensive end in the draft, Ayers proved that he can certainly hold his own in the NFL.
