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Jason Worilds Could be an Intriguing Option for New York Giants

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By @chriswgamble

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Getty Images

The New York Giants will need to address their front seven on defense this offseason. Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul and linebackers Spencer Paysinger, Mark Herzlich and Jacquian Williams are all free agents. The Giants will need to retain the services of some and replace others through free agency or the draft. There is one player who is about to hit free agency that could be intriguing, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end/linebacker Jason Worilds.

The 26-year-old Rahway, NJ native is coming off a season where he recorded 7.5 sacks, 59 tackles and saw him intercept his first pass. He has managed to stay on the field consistently, playing 47 of his last 48 games and 73 out of 80 possible career games. Worilds could be a weapon in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, a player who could fill Mathias Kiwanuka’s shoes if Kiwanuka becomes a cap casualty as expected.

Yes, Worilds is a 3-4 edge rusher but he could line up at defensive end or as an outside linebacker in a 4-3 like the Giants run. He could line up just about anywhere on field and rush the quarterback or drop back into coverage. Spagnuolo likes to disguise blitzes and having Worilds and Devon Kennard would give the Giants two linebackers that can blitz, play the run or drop into coverage.

The Steelers want to bring Worilds back but at the right price. There could also be interest from a team like the New York Jets so it is likely Worilds won’t come cheaply. However, if the Giants lose Pierre-Paul then adding a player like Worilds could help replace the sacks that would walk out the door with Pierre-Paul.

It is an outside shot that the Giants sign Worilds but he could fit nicely into Spagnuolo’s defensive scheme. It is doubtful he would be able to line up as a down lineman every down given his 6’2”, 262-pound frame but the Giants’ recent success on defense came from a rotation of defensive ends and Spagnuolo isn’t afraid to line up a linebacker on the line or blitz from the edge or up the middle. Worilds might be the most intriguing option for the Giants if Pierre-Paul leaves. Even if Pierre-Paul stays the Giants could look at Worilds as an upgrade over Williams and Paysinger and give the defense just a little more flexibility.

The ideal situation would be to keep Pierre-Paul and sign a player like Worilds to replace Kiwanuka, Williams and Paysinger. The Giants could obtain the cap space by releasing Kiwanuka, Jon Beason or restructuring Eli Manning’s contract or a combination of those. Adding Worilds would be a boost to a defense that could be undergoing a makeover among the front seven.

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