New York Giants Week 5 Stock Report
Forget about "finish”—the New York Giants are “relevant” again.
Just kidding. If the Giants hadn't finished their 24-10 win over Buffalo on Sunday, chances are no one would be thinking of them as relevant.
The game, while not perfect, was about as complete of an effort from the Giants as we've seen in a while. Simply put, New York came in and bullied the aspiring on-field bullies by taking away just about every strength they had.
As usual, there were some stellar efforts and some that weren't quite as stellar. So let's run down this week's stock report.
Stock Up: DE Kerry Wynn
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In June, I wrote about defensive end Kerry Wynn and why he should be a starter in this, his second season.
One of the things that is most admirable about Wynn is just how disciplined he is against the run. Not too many young players maintain that kind of disciple, their instinct instead being to run and hit whatever comes into their path.
Although Wynn is just in his second year, he’s playing the run like a veteran. Getting the start for the second week in a row with Robert Ayers Jr. (hamstring) sidelined, Wynn led the Giants’ Week 4 defense with eight tackles (seven solo), two of which were for a loss.
Wynn doesn’t yet have a polished array of pass-rush moves, but with time and more reps, that should come.
Hopefully, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo sticks with this young man out of Richmond for the long haul, pairing him with a healthy Ayers at the ends.
Stock Down: TE Will Tye
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It’s probably unfair to knock a rookie who was called up from the practice squad, perhaps before he was ready, thanks to injuries. However, if you’re on the 53-man roster and you get a game-day uniform, you have to step up.
That wasn’t the case with Will Tye, the intriguing tight end out of Stony Brook University. With Daniel Fells and Jerome Cunningham both not making the trip to Buffalo, the Giants added Tye from their practice squad last Saturday and threw him right into the deep end of the pool.
Playing in 12 snaps according to the NFL game book, Tye’s run-blocking wasn’t bad, though he didn’t get many opportunities. What was bad, though, was his dropped pass.
Regardless of the reason behind the drop, when you have Rueben Randle, Dwayne Harris, Shane Vereen and Odell Beckham Jr. on the field with you and the ball still comes your way, you have to make that reception.
With Fells headed to injured reserve, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Giants bring in another tight end, which, if they do, could push Tye back into the background where he can benefit from a little more development.
Stock Up: LB Devon Kennard
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Off the field, linebacker Devon Kennard is a soft-spoken, polite young man who, when he speaks, is so enthusiastic, regardless of the topic.
He’s also become legendary among his teammates for his note-taking in the classroom.
Well, that note-taking is obviously paying dividends, as Kennard is probably the Giants’ best linebacker right now. He recorded five tackles against the Bills, but also came up with an interception, showing good awareness.
The only knock against Kennard, who is currently third on the team in total tackles with 25, is that several times in his young NFL career he’s had hamstring issues, most recently against the Bills.
It’s not yet known if he’s going to miss the 49ers game on Sunday or if he’ll be limited in practice, but when he’s healthy and on the field, Kennard has the potential to be a difference maker.
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Stock Down: LB Mark Herzlich
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It’s probably unfair to downgrade a guy’s stock when he received only one snap in last week’s game, as was the case with Mark Herzlich. However, if you’re going to be called upon to contribute, you better be ready for anything.
When Herzlich was inserted into the game on defense in the third quarter, the Bills ran right at him on a 3rd-and-1 third-quarter play.
Herzlich was unable to disengage from third-string tight end Matthew Mulligan, who as luck would have it, knocked him into the play where Herzlich picked up an assisted tackle.
Meanwhile, Bills running back Karlos Williams went for three yards and the first down.
If Devon Kennard’s hamstring injury limits him or worse yet, keeps him out of action on Sunday, Herzlich is probably going to be the next man up at the strong-side linebacker spot.
If his number is indeed called, let’s hope he plays the run as well as he did last season when he finished as the Giants’ third-best run defender, per Pro Football Focus.
Stock Up: LB Jonathan Casillas
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If you were among those who wondered why the Giants invested a three-year, $8 million contract into backup linebacker Jonathan Casillas, his performance on Sunday should provide answers regarding his value to the team.
Casillas, the Giants nickel linebacker, combines quickness and speed with intelligence, making him, perhaps, the best cover linebacker this team currently has.
Against the Bills, Casillas, who finished second on the team in tackles with seven against Buffalo, was efficient in zone and man-to-man coverage. According to Pro Football Focus, Casillas’ 77.1 NFL Rating was his best of the young season.
Although he didn’t blitz this week, it remains to be seen if defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo dusts off a blitz or two that features Casillas moving forward.
Defensive statistics via the Giants Week 5 press release, unless otherwise noted.
Patricia Traina covers the Giants for Inside Football, the Journal Inquirer and Sports Xchange. All quotes and information were obtained firsthand unless otherwise sourced.
Follow me on Twitter, @Patricia_Traina.
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