The Giants will have Leonard Williams in the fold for their virtual offseason program. The franchise-tagged defensive lineman intends to sign his tender, according to the New York Daily News’ Pat Leonard (on Twitter).
It remains unclear, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, if Williams will be tagged as a defensive end or tackle (Twitter link). Were Williams to be tagged as a tackle, his tender price would be $16.1MM. As an end, he would be attached to a $17.8MM figure.
When the Giants tagged Williams, they believed they were clear he will be tagged as a D-tackle; Williams, understandably, wants to be tagged as an end (Twitter link via SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano). Williams played 560 snaps inside last season and just 81 at end, per ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). That seems to make this a fairly open-and-shut case, despite Williams being listed as a defensive end for a 3-4 scheme.
Williams and the Giants are not believed to be close on an extension, per Vacchiano (on Twitter). Williams has until July 15 to sign an extension or play the 2020 season on the tag. Signing the tender now will prevent the Giants from rescinding it, locking in Williams to a big payday in what could end up being the most uncertain offseason in modern NFL history.
It surprised many when the Giants tagged Williams, just as it did when they acquired him via trade months before his contract was set to expire. While the former Jets No. 6 overall pick has not been productive as a sack artist, his 101 quarterback hits since 2015 rank 12th in the NFL. His 17.5 career sacks, however, do not even rank in the top 80 in that span. Williams registered no sacks in seven Giants games and collected just a half-sack in 15 total games last season.
The Giants are deep on their defensive line. Williams joins Dalvin Tomlinson, B.J. Hill and 2019 first-round pick Dexter Lawrence up front. All four graded in the top 40, per Pro Football Focus, among D-linemen last year. Williams, interestingly, graded lowest among Big Blue’s talented quartet last season. Dave Gettleman has referenced a Tomlinson extension may be in the cards. Tomlinson is going into a contract year. Williams will either be a high-priced rental — with 2020 doubling as a prove-it year — or the Giants’ D-line is about to become expensive.
It’s much smarter to keep Williams happy than to quibble over a measly million dollars. He’s a solid blue collar type player who can make the players surrounding him better.
oh god please tell me this is sarcasm
Everything he said is true tho
‘The Giants are deep on their defensive line.’
They gave up the 3rd most points and 8th most yards per game in the league last year. As a fan, the PFF scores don’t mean much if you’re not even giving your offense a chance.
Not to mention the guys listed are all defensive tackles who don’t sack the qb
Exactly. Every team had all day to throw the ball. 11th-worst in sacks (36 sacks), but 10 of them were Markus Golden’s, who is not returning (an aside, but if you watched all the games, you’d know that Golden was extremely lucky on a few of his sacks; QBs practically walking into him or coverage sacks).
If you subtract Golden’s 10, the team had 26 sacks, good for 2nd worst in the league. This is relevant because the Giants have done nothing to improve the pass rush this offseason.
You’re kidding right? He’s so good the Jets used a high pick on him and traded him away? He’s a wash!