Free agent pass rusher Jihad Ward has found his new home in the NFL. The Giants announced that they have signed the veteran. 
[RELATED: Falcons To Sign LB Carter]
Ward, 27, was a second round pick of the Raiders in 2016. Despite starting 14 of 21 games, however, he was only there for two years, next spending nine games as a Colt split between the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
The second team he was on that year – the Ravens – is where he first played under Don Martindale. During 21 games in Baltimore, Ward registered four sacks (the most he’s had with any one team), along with two fumble recoveries. His play earned him a deal with the Jaguars, although he only started one of 17 contests in Jacksonville.
By signing with the Giants, Ward will reunite with Martindale, who became the team’s new defensive coordinator earlier this offseason. He will also likely have at least a rotational role available to him, as Lorenzo Carter signed with the Falcons earlier today.
Alongside Ward, New York currently has a pass-rushing corps which includes recent draftees Oshane Ximines, Azeez Ojulari, Elerson Smith and Quincy Roche. While he will add a veteran presence to the position group, the Giants are widely expected to target more help in that department using one of their two top-ten picks in April’s draft.
Giants continuing to impress
Ten sacks in six seasons? Not much of a pass rusher.
Jihad Ward was the Ravens’ nickname for Hines.
Jihad Ward, aka, the player the Raiders foolishly Drafted one pick ahead of Alabama Tide’s Heisman Trophy Winning RB Derrick Henry.
And we wonder why Reggie McKenzie did not last long as the Raiders GM ?
Yes, I am a Raiders fan who was following the Draft that day and am still mad years later. Yes, still trying to get over it.