The New York Giants need help all over the football field and especially along the defensive line. While they need defensive ends who can rush the passer, they could also use some help along the interior line. The Giants have already been rumored to be interested in Malik Jackson, but one defensive tackle the Giants could pursue who would make a lot of sense is Damon Harrison.
Harrison, 27, has started all 16 games over the last three years and last year ranked as the seventh best interior defensive lineman according to Pro Football Focus. The New York Jets are facing a tough salary cap situation, with Muhammad Wilkerson facing free agency and likely to be given the franchise tag and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick needing to be re-signed or replaced. There probably won’t be enough money for Harrison when all is said and done.
While Harrison has expressed an interest in staying put, it might not be that much of a stretch to see the Giants get involved if he becomes a free agent. The Giants finished 24th in the NFL in stopping the run, allowing 1,942 yards and a 4.4 yard-per-carry average. Harrison recorded 72 combined tackles last season and registered a half of a sack. He would go a long way to improving those numbers as he teams with Johnathan Hankins on the inside to give Big Blue a formidable duo.
Yes, the Giants need defensive ends who can rush the quarterback, but they also need someone to complement Hankins on the inside. The 6-foot-4, 350-pound Harrison would be the perfect fit. Hankins has shown an ability to get to the quarterback as his seven sacks in 2014 indicate, and he is solid against the run. Harrison would give the Giants an elite run-stuffer and building block on the defensive line.
The Giants will need to add some bodies on the defensive line. Cullen Jenkins is a free agent, Jay Bromley is probably nothing more than a depth piece and Hankins is coming off of pectoral injury. Barry Cofield was signed in the middle of the season, but he won’t be back.
The Giants have the cash to spend this offseason, and Harrison fills a major need. If Harrison hits the market they need to go after him.
