James Bettcher‘s presence as the Giants’ new defensive coordinator will help bring another former Cardinals defender to the Big Apple.
Having hosted Josh Mauro on a recent visit, the Giants have agreed to terms with the free agent defensive lineman, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Mauro follows outside linebacker Kareem Martin in agreeing to trek to New York after playing for Bettcher in Arizona.
Mauro, 27, started 20 games over the past two seasons. He’ll bring experience as a 3-4 defensive end to a team that’s used a 4-3 defense for many years. Now expected to switch to Bettcher’s preferred 3-4, the Giants are adding a player who knows the responsibilities that come with a five-technique job.
The former UDFA started seven games last season and recorded a sack. He may end up serving as rotational depth. The Giants played second-round pick Dalvin Tomlinson at defensive tackle last season, but with Damon Harrison likely being the nose tackle in 2018, Tomlinson could slide over to end. Big Blue also has Kerry Wynn and Avery Moss as potential ends, although they were brought in to play a different end role.
Looking forward to this year. Good pickups and the draft should bring
Us some good players. If we could get the kid guard Nelson from Norte Dame
We would be real solid.
Nelson would be great but they won’t take him at 2. Best thing if they don’t trade down is they take Barkley at 2 (assuming Cleveland takes QB), then trade Beckham for a top 10 pick to draft an O-lineman.