Giants: 3 free agents who could alter 2021 NFL Draft plans

Giants target Melvin Ingram. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

2. EDGE Melvin Ingram

Needing to add not only a consistent EDGE presence to their defense, but an experienced one too, the Giants could find themselves as suitors for Los Angeles Chargers EDGE Melvin Ingram. The former first round pick out of South Carolina has garnered respect around the league for his disruptive play and fiery hot motor, but the appeal of adding Ingram is peaked mostly by the potential low-risk, high-reward addition he could be.

Compared to other EDGE rushers in free agency, Ingram is one of the more experienced players with not only nine years under his belt in the pros but familiarity with schemes that command versatility from its athletes off the edges. Since being drafted in the 2012 NFL Draft, Ingram has played under John Pagano and Brandon Staley, both of whom run flexible 3-4 schemes that move rushers all over the front to attack identified weak points, generate stunts and vary personnel in gap penetration.

That is a perfect foundation for what Patrick Graham runs for the Giants, as the highly touted defensive coordinator and assistant head coach runs a scheme that maximizes Cover-3 and man concepts in the backfield to bolster varying rush packages, expecting similarly of his pass rushers.

Ingram is a decorated player in his own right with 49 career sacks and 108 quarterback hits in his career, to go along with being fierce against the run. However, the one downside to Ingram’s resume is his injury history. He has put together only five seasons of full 16-game starts, which is concerning for a team needing free agent signings to pay off dividends. What does help the intrigue with Ingram, though, is his price tag.

His yearly average could command around $10 million per year, but the Giants could tie the money into incentives to present mutually beneficial financial security. This is the definition of low-risk, high-reward. Ingram would secure the bag, return to the Eastern seaboard for the tail end of his career, all while becoming an immediate starter. And, if injured, he will not cost the same on the cap as Yannick Ngakoue, Matt Judon or Bud Dupree, each of whom could command around $18-20 million per year.

Looking at most other free agent EDGE players, Ingram does not break the bank, brings veteran leadership and a red-hot motor to the field, along with being a solid fit in Graham’s scheme. Grabbing Ingram would give the Giants cushion to at least choose an EDGE rusher in Day 2, allowing the first round to be focused on adding an offensive playmaker or a possible boundary cornerback. When factoring in the EDGE class this year, it is possible the Giants would be better off waiting beyond the 11th overall pick to secure an upgrade at that position, so securing Ingram, or any starting-caliber EDGE, would be tremendous.