PFF chooses Blake Martinez as potential first-time All-Pro selection
Pro Football Focus picked a potential first-time All-Pro selection at each position heading into the 2021 season, and when it came to the linebackers, Blake Martinez was the choice.
As PFF's Ben Linsey wrote, "Martinez's 75.9 PFF grade last season — his first with New York — represented the best mark of his career. That performance was also good enough to make him the fifth-most valuable off-ball linebacker in the NFL, according to PFF's Wins Above Replacement metric. Martinez had success at various points in the middle of the Green Bay Packers' defense as both a run defender and a coverage defender, but he rarely succeeded in both areas at the same time.
"Part of his inclusion on this list is that the Giants' defense as a whole could very well be impressive next season under defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. New York boasts one of the deepest secondaries in the league and has several disruptive presences along the defensive line. That could put Martinez in position to accumulate statistics that matter to All-Pro voters."
Martinez has not missed a game in four years. In his first season with the Giants, he recorded 151 tackles (86 solo), three sacks, nine tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception and five passes defensed.
PFF is not the only one to heap praise on Martinez recently. Just last week, NFL.com's Dan Hanzus picked the 27-year-old linebacker to be the Giants' 2021 MVP. Meanwhile, Giants legend and two-time Super Bowl champion Justin Tuck joined Big Blue Kickoff last month and compared the linebacker to Antonio Pierce, the anchor of the Giants' 2007 Super Bowl-winning defense.
21 Questions: Sleeper player to watch
With the calendar flipped to July, Giants.com asks 21 important questions heading into the team's 2021 training camp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
For 21 days, a member of the Giants.com crew will answer one question about the roster, coaching staff, schedule, and much more.
Lance Medow: The Giants were very aggressive this offseason, adding several players through free agency and the draft at various positions. That's why it's very easy to overlook former Vikings edge rusher Ifeadi Odenigbo, who proved to be a nice complement to Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffin in Minnesota over the last two seasons.
The Giants need someone to assume a similar role opposite pass rusher Leonard Williams. They also lost Kyler Fackrell to the Chargers after he finished tied for second on the team with four sacks in 2020. Odenigbo had seven sacks in 2019 and although his total dipped to 3.5 last season, he also recorded 15 quarterback hits, three tackles for loss and a safety. He's capable of being a disruptive player. It's all about opportunity within the Giants' scheme.
With training camp here, view photos of every move made by the Giants this offseason.
DT Leonard Williams - Signed to three-year contract
WR Kenny Golladay - Free Agent Signing
CB Adoree' Jackson - Free Agent Signing
TE Kyle Rudolph - Free Agent Signing
WR John Ross - Free Agent Signing
DT Danny Shelton - Free Agent Signing
LB Reggie Ragland - Free Agent Signing
DE Ifeadi Odenigbo - Free Agent Signing
WR Kadarius Toney - Selected with 20th pick in 2021 NFL Draft
WR Kadarius Toney - Selection List Signing
LB Azeez Ojulari - Selected with 50th pick in 2021 NFL Draft
LB Azeez Ojulari - Selection List Signing
CB Aaron Robinson - Selected with 71st pick in 2021 NFL Draft
CB Aaron Robinson - Selection List Signing
LB Elerson Smith - Selected with 116th pick in 2021 NFL Draft
LB Elerson Smith - Selection List Signing
RB Gary Brightwell - Selected with 196th pick in 2021 NFL Draft
RB Gary Brightwell - Selection List Signing
CB Rodarius WIlliams - Selected with 201st pick in 2021 NFL Draft
CB Rodarius Williams - Selection List Signing
RB Saquon Barkley - Fifth-year option picked up
RB Devontae Booker - Free Agent Signing
QB Mike Glennon - Free Agent Signing
OLB Ryan Anderson - Free Agent Signing
OL Zach Fulton - Free Agent Signing
OL Jonotthan Harrison - Free Agent Signing
OL Joe Looney - Free Agent Signing
WR Damion Willis - Free Agent Signing
RB Corey Clement - Free Agent Signing
C Brett Heggie - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
G Jake Burton - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
DE Raymond Johnson - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
DT Austin Johnson - Signed to new contract with Giants
WR C.J. Board
LS Casey Kreiter - Signed to new contract with Giants
LB Devante Downs - Free Agent Signing
FB Cullen Gillaspia - Free Agent Signing
DB Joshua Kalu - Free Agent Signing
TE Cole Hikutini - Free Agent Signing
DB Chris Milton
RB Mike Weber - Free Agent Signing
DB Jordyn Peters - Free Agent Signing
WR Alex Bachman - Signed to a reserve/future deal
LB Trent Harris - Signed to a reserve/future deal
DB Montre Hartage - Signed to a reserve/future deal
TE Rysen John - Signed to a reserve/future deal
DT David Moa - Signed to a reserve/future deal
G Chad Slade - Signed to a reserve/future deal
QB Clayton Thorson - Signed to a reserve/future deal
LS Carson Tinker - Signed to a reserve/future deal
G Kenny Wiggins - Signed to a reserve/future deal
DB Jarren Williams - Signed to a reserve/future deal
DB Quincy Wilson - Signed to a reserve/future deal
OT Jackson Barton - Signed, Renegotiated Contract: Exclusive Rights
DB Madre Harper - Signed, Renegotiated Contract: Exclusive Rights
WR Derrick Dillon - Signed to a reserve/future deal
WR David Sills - Signed, Renegotiated Contract: Exclusive Rights
TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart - Signed to a reserve/future deal
LB Cale Garrett - Signed to a reserve/future deal
P Ryan Santoso - Signed to a reserve/future deal
G Kevin Zeitler - Released
WR Golden Tate - Released
RB Devonta Freeman - Waived, from Reserve/Injured
WR Da'Mari Scott - Waived, No Recall
DB Shakial Taylor - Waived, No Recall
LB David Mayo - Released
WR Cody Core - Released
CB Ryan Lewis - Waived
Photos: LB Blake Martinez's first season with Giants
Check out the gallery below to view photos of linebacker Blake Martinez in his first season with the Giants.
Single Game Tickets
A limited number of Giants 2021 single game tickets are on sale now
