The New York Giants are reportedly expressing interest in free-agent linebacker Deone Bucannon, who Tampa Bay recently released.
If there’s one defensive spot on the New York Giants roster that’s absolutely depleting, it’s at the inside linebacker position. Big Blue has dealt with injuries to Alec Ogletree, Tae Davis, and rookie Ryan Connelly already this year. The latter is out for the rest of the season after tearing his ACL in a Week 4 win over the Washington Redskins.
The Giants could look to free agency to combat this. Per reports, that’s exactly what they’re doing. According to Art Stapleton of USA Today, Big Blue is expressing interest in linebacker Deone Bucannon. The Tampa Bay Buccanneers released the veteran on Wednesday.
Bucannon, before spending time in Tampa Bay, was with the Arizona Cardinals from 2014-18. Giants defensive coordinator James Bettcher was his coordinator in Arizona from 2015-17.
The veteran has played in 75 games (56 starts) since the Cardinals drafted him No. 27 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Washington State University. In that time, he’s combined for 405 tackles, seven sacks, seven forced fumbles, and two interceptions.
His best season was in 2015 when he racked up 109 combined tackles with 11 tackles-for-loss, six quarterback hits, three sacks, three forced fumbles, and one interception. He could definitely add depth and versatility to this inside linebacker group, two aspects the Giants desperately need at that spot right now.
Jabrill Peppers, who primarily is a strong safety, stepped up into the moneybacker role for New York in their loss to the Minnesota Vikings. David Mayo filled in at the additional inside linebacker spot.