The New York Football Giants are looking to be one of the most hard hitting and aggressive defenses in the league. Led last year by Dexter Lawerence, Leonard Williams and Kayvon Thibodeaux upfront and Xavier McKinney, Azeez Ojulari and Adoree’ Jackson in the back, the Giants showed flashes of greatness, but had some soft spots.
With the addition of Tre Hawkins and Deonte Banks from the 2023 NFL Draft, the Giants have already improved a huge hole in the secondary. Post draft, the Giants didn’t just settle with what they already had and who they had recently gotten. General Manager Joe Schoen went out and added even more depth with a veteran star.
Bobby Okereke was the big pick up and booster to the linebacker room. The 6’1 235 lb beast is going to give the Giants a trusted linebacker; a player they haven’t had since Blake Martinez, as well as increase the strength of the Giants defense.
However, the Giants didn’t stop adding at Okereke, as on Thursday morning the G-Men traded a 2024 seventh round pick for Isaiah Simmons to the Arizona Cardinals per Adam Schefter. The former 2020 eighth overall pick is headed to the Meadowlands.
Trade: Isaiah Simmons is being traded from the Cardinals to the NY Giants for a seventh-round pick in 2024, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 24, 2023
With this latest addition, defensive coordinator Wink Martindale has to be jumping out of his seat, as his defense keeps on getting more and more loaded. As for the opposing teams, this defense looks almost as scary as the 1986 and the 1990 Giants team, so they better be ready.
Notable defensive players on the #Giants
- Dexter Lawrence
- Xavier McKinney
- Adoree Jackson
- Leonard Williams
- Kayvon Thibodeaux
- Isaiah Simmons
- A’Shawn Robinson
- Bobby Okereke
- Azeez Ojulari
- Deonte BanksAll being coached up by the great Wink Martindale. This is a… pic.twitter.com/Cg0lsDB9U5
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) August 24, 2023
Who is Isaiah Simmons?
The 25 year old, 6 '4, 238 lb freak of an athlete is in the hands of Head Coach Brian Daboll after having a stellar 2022 season with the Cardinals. The Kansas native recorded two interceptions, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovered, seven passess deflected, four sacks, four QB hits and one touchdown. Simmons also recorded 99 total tackles (68 solo, 31 assisted) and five tackles for loss in 17 games last season.
In 2021 and 2020, Simmons put up good numbers as well.
| Year | G | GS | INT | TD | PD | FF | FR | SK | Combo | Solo | Ast | TFL | QB Hits |
| 2020 | 16 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2.0 | 54 | 43 | 11 | 4 | 3 |
| 2021 | 17 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1.5 | 105 | 70 | 35 | 4 | 4 |
| 2022 | 17 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4.0 | 99 | 68 | 31 | 5 | 4 |
In the 2020 NFL Combine, teams and scouts saw Simmons raw athletic ability as he ran a 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds. Simmons also put up a 39-inch vertical and 132-inch broad jump.
ISAIAH. SIMMONS. 🔥
4.39u 40-yard dash for the 238-pound linebacker! @ClemsonFB @IsaiahSimmons25
📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork
📱: https://t.co/vDFxxNddNZ pic.twitter.com/JxE6S23FWB— NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2020
.@ClemsonFB LB Isaiah Simmons with the 11-foot broad jump!@isaiahsimmons25 | #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/bFdUD3qa7H
— NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2020
Simmons has played linebacker in the past, but took a ton of reps at slot cornerback with the Cardinals last year. Jordan Raanan reported early afternoon today that Simmons will take more reps at linebacker.
The Giants plan to use Isaiah Simmons as a linebacker. He's bounced around between linebacker and safety in Arizona.
As one NFL executive told me: "Perfect project for Wink." #Giants #Cardinals
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) August 24, 2023
With the addition of Simmons, the linebacker room now features some solid players, such as Bobby Okereke, Darrian Beavers and Micah McFadden (just to name a few). Without a doubt, Joe Scheon has turned the linebacker depth weakness into one of their biggest strengths. Another masterclass move by the new GM.
Isaiah Simmons Highlights
Newest Giant Isaiah Simmons highlights welcome to New York 🤞 @isaiahsimmons25 pic.twitter.com/Th0FsPFOTc
— evin (@KayvonOjulari) August 24, 2023
Isaiah Simmons forced fumble game winner pic.twitter.com/tn1WJaABAT
— Talkin’ Giants (@TalkinGiants) August 24, 2023
Wink Martindale can easily turn Isaiah Simmons into a top 5 linebacker oh my goodness pic.twitter.com/zYqwAeTSQC
— evin (@KayvonOjulari) August 24, 2023
Isaiah Simmons already owns Dak 😭
— evin (@KayvonOjulari) August 24, 2023
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