The Raiders released Prince Amukamara earlier on Monday. The veteran cornerback is eyeing a reunion with a team that features a greater need at the position.
Amukamara would like to rejoin the Giants, telling the New York Post’s Steve Serby “it would be awesome” to return to New York and join the team that drafted him. Considering the Giants have changed coaches three times since Amukamara last played for the team, it is not certain the franchise views him returning in a similar light. But the Giants undeniably need help in the secondary.
The Giants have needed cornerback help for a bit now, with DeAndre Baker on the commissioner’s exempt list. The team that carried DVOA’s No. 31 pass defense last year also saw third-year contributor Sam Beal opt out last month. Logan Ryan has surfaced on the Giants’ radar and looks to have interest in signing, though his price tag has been an issue for teams since he entered free agency. At this stage of his career, Amukamara would be a much cheaper option. Ryan has also marketed himself as a safety, whereas Amukamara is a pure corner.
Moving to the Jaguars and Bears following his five-season Giants tenure, the former first-round pick signed a one-year deal for the veteran minimum with the Raiders. The Bears made him a cap casualty in February. The 31-year-old defender has been a full-time starter since 2012 and still views himself as a “top-64 corner” in the league, per Serby.
I would much rather have Logan Ryan
How about both?
So would I but prince is a hard worker, good locker room guy and still productive. Might not be a bad thing to have him here for the younger DB’s.
Also, of course depends on the price.
Amukamara struggled slightly at times in the old Giants’ zone based 4-3, but shined in the Bears’ man heavy 3-4. I am unsure of how Joe Judge will expect the defense to look and how much of the old scheme will remain, but if NYG run more man concepts this year, Amukamara could help them as a nickel or third corner as he did in Chicago.
I would imagine he plays on the outside after adding Logan Ryan to play in the slot. Their options are pretty limited beyond Bradberry now that Baker and Beal have been pushed out of the picture
Yeah, I posted that before Ryan signed with New York or his interest was reported. Still, it would depend also on if Ryan intended to play safety. I’m not by rule a fan of moving quality corners to safety for no other reason than age (quality corners are harder to find and required in greater numbers), but if Ryan ends up there and Amukamara joins him, I’d see Prince playing more inside. But, again, I also don’t really know what to expect to change in Judge’s first year. The defense may change significantly or not at all.
Giants could use someone to throw in the ice tank.
Going from Baker to a teetotaler might be a good move.