Perhaps no other move in the first week of free agency was as surprising as the Giants’ decision to sign former Ravens defensive lineman Willie Henry. No one ever expected them to add a big name like Henry to their defensive line, but that’s exactly what they did. Henry is expected to start at defensive tackle and be a key player in their new 4-3 scheme.
The New York Giants have signed former Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Willie Henry, according to a league source. Henry was a third-round pick by the Ravens in 2016, but he was traded to the New York Giants for a 2018 seventh-round draft pick this offseason.
The New York Giants have made a number of additions to their roster this offseason, but one move that hasn’t been much reported is the signing of Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Willie Henry. The Giants, who own the second overall pick in the upcoming draft, have signed Henry to a three-year, $16.7 million deal.. Read more about baltimore ravens roster and let us know what you think.
Getty BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 3: Outside Linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 and defensive tackle Willie Henry #69 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrate after a sack in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Following the release of RJ McIntosh on Wednesday, the Giants signed veteran Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Willie Henry to bolster their defensive line depth.
The Giants released linebacker Cale Garrett to make space for Henry. Henry was a fourth-round selection of the Ravens in 2016, although he only played in 17 games for the team due to injury.
Henry’s finest season came in 2017, when he appeared in 14 games (three starts) and racked up 3.5 sacks, 11 quarterback hits, 33 total tackles, and six tackles for loss.
Henry’s 2018 season was disrupted when he had hernia surgery after this promising performance. Henry was released by the Ravens in August of 2019, and he did not play for any club this season.
In January of 2020, Henry signed a reserve/future deal with the San Francisco 49ers, but was released in July due to a non-football ailment. In late October, Henry re-signed with the 49ers’ practice squad, and in November, he was promoted to the active roster for one game. He was discharged on December 15 after returning to the practice squad following the game.
The 27-year-old spent the rest of the season on the Houston Texans’ practice squad, but he was back on the free market in January.
Henry was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles in late May, but he was released before the start of training camp in late July. Now, he’ll try to stay with a Giants club in desperate need of defensive line depth after the free agency departure of Dalvin Tomlinson to the Minnesota Vikings.
The Giants’ Defensive Prospects
In their second season under defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, the Giants’ defense is anticipated to be one of their strengths once again.
The Giants’ defense improved from the bottom of the league to the 12th best in the NFL in Graham’s first season as head coach. Graham received a multi-year contract extension as a result of this, preventing him from exploring other head coaching possibilities.
Leonard Williams (re-signed for three years, $63 million), Blake Martinez, Dexter Lawrence, Logan Ryan, James Bradberry, Jabrill Peppers, Xavier McKinney, Darnay Holmes, and Lorenzo Carter are among the returning standouts on Graham’s defense this season.
Despite losing Tomlinson, they added cornerback Adoree Jackson (three-year, $39 million deal) and selected Georgia pass rusher Azeez Ojulari in the second round at No. 50 overall, who was considered a bargain.
Question Mark Offense
The offense is the unit to be worried about when looking at the 2021 New York Giants. While the defense should be even stronger this year, the offense is the unit to be concerned about.
Jason Garrett’s offense ranked 31st in the NFL with 299.6 yards and 17.5 points per game in his first season as offensive coordinator. These pitiful numbers were only marginally better than the New York Jets, the Giants’ poor crosstown rivals.
Garrett’s argument is that he lost top running back Saquon Barkley to an ACL tear only five quarters into the season. However, following an outstanding debut season in 2019, quarterback Daniel Jones has taken a significant step back under the new play caller.
Despite the Giants’ decision to keep Garrett for another year, this season will be a make-or-break season for him, since the team bolstered its talent players. GM Dave Gettleman brought in former Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph and signed No. 1 wide receiver Kenny Golladay to a four-year, $72 million contract. The Giants also moved back to pick No. 20 in the draft, when they chose Florida’s explosive versatile slot receiver Kadarius Toney.
Garrett and Jones have no more excuses now that Barkley has returned. The Giants’ offense must improve next season, or they will be looking for a new offensive coordinator and perhaps a new quarterback by the following season.
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