New York Giants Meeting With Former Falcons Linebacker


The New York Giants are reportedly looking to add depth to their linebacker position in free agency and have set their sights on former Atlanta Falcons star Deion Jones.

According to reports from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Jones visited the Giants on Monday.

Jones was drafted by the Falcons in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft and made the Pro Bowl in his second year. He spent six-plus years with the Falcons before being traded to the Cleveland Browns during the 2022 season, where he played in 11 games and recorded 44 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

However, Jones' recent performances have been lackluster, with poor grades from Pro Football Focus in 2021 and 2022, after five solid seasons.

In 2021, he earned a 34.6 overall grade with the Falcons and missed a career-worst 16.9% of his tackle attempts. In 2022 with the Browns, Jones' PFF grade was 48.3, below his average grade of 70 in his first five seasons.

Despite his recent struggles, the Giants, who lack depth in the linebacker position, may consider signing Jones to a veteran minimum contract, which would be a low-risk, high-reward move if they can strike a deal.

For his seven-year career, the 28-year old has amassed 696 total tackles, 11 sacks, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 12 interceptions, and 46 passes defended across 96 games played.

It remains to be seen whether the Giants will ultimately sign Jones, but it appears that they are exploring their options and considering all possibilities as they look to bolster their roster ahead of the upcoming season. Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports