New York Giants second-year defensive lineman RJ McIntosh is turning heads this offseason after a predominantly lost rookie season.
RJ McIntosh. Remember him? You don’t? Well, let me fill you in.
The New York Giants drafted McIntosh in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Miami (FL).
McIntosh was a dominant defensive lineman in college that was supposed to bring depth to that position for Big Blue. He racked up 52 total tackles, 12.5 tackles-for-loss and 2.5 sacks in his final year at Miami, so Giants general manager Dave Gettleman saw something in him.
However, McIntosh underwent an undisclosed illness last season. This kept him out of all offseason workouts and the majority of the regular season. If you were to give him a grade for his rookie season, it would have to be an “incomplete,” due to the fact that the majority of his season was lost.
But McIntosh is now healthy as the Giants offseason workouts keep rolling. And while working in with the defensive lineman, McIntosh is turning heads with his play.
“He is caught up,” Giants head coach Pat Shurmur said, per Brian Fonseca of NJ.com. “He is doing well. With defensive linemen, we will see more once we can get in more hitting situations. He is moving around well and has gotten much stronger since he has gotten here. He fits well in the defense and looks like he is getting himself right for training camp.”
McIntosh will be competing with B.J. Hill, Olsen Pierre, Dalvin Tomlinson and Dexter Lawrence on the defensive line. As far as being back in the swing of things after the illness, McIntosh is more than grateful.
“It’s amazing,” McIntosh said. “I just thank God, who got me through it, being able to be patient and working with the trainers. I’m grateful, ready to work, ready for this season.”
