Blake Martinez chosen as Giants' most improved player this season
The Giants made several splashes in free agency this offseason, including the signing of inside linebacker Blake Martinez.
Martinez has been one of the most consistent tacklers in the NFL over the last three seasons. Since 2017, Martinez leads the league with 443 total tackles while starting in all 48 regular season games for the Packers. The linebacker was the NFL's tackling co-leader in 2017 when he recorded 144 tackles.
In 2019, Martinez registered 155 total tackles (97 solo), three sacks, five tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, one interception, two passes defended and one forced fumble.
The former fourth-round pick should bring some stability to the middle of the Giants defense, serving as the anchor of the linebacker corps.
NFL Network’s analytics expert Cynthia Frelund chose one member from each team who she believes, using her forward-looking data models, will see an "uptick in 2020 based on their performance trajectory and the scheme they'll be playing in this season."
As Frelund writes, "Next Gen Stats shows that, as a Packer last season, Martinez made a tackle on 15.8 percent of his snaps (third-highest rate in the NFL among those with a minimum of 500 defensive snaps). The Giants' defense, especially in the middle, will rely on Martinez's effective play, likely requiring him to make even more tackles than the Packers' defense required of him last season."
View photos of every roster addition made by the Giants this offseason.
OT Andrew Thomas
(AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
S Xavier McKinney
(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
OT Matt Peart
(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
CB Darnay Holmes
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
OL Shane Lemieux
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
LB Cam Brown
(AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
LB Carter Coughlin
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
LB T.J. Brunson
(AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
DB Chris Williamson
(AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
LB Tae Crowder
(AP Photo/John Amis)
CB James Bradberry
(AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
LB Blake Martinez
(AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
LB Kyler Fackrell
(AP Photo/Morry Gash)
OT Cam Fleming
(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
RB Dion Lewis
(AP Photo/James Kenney)
LS Casey Kreiter
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DL Austin Johnson
(AP Photo/James Kenney)
S Nate Ebner
(Ryan Kang via AP)
QB Colt McCoy
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
DB Dravon Askew-Henry
(AP Photo/James Kenney)
K Chandler Catanzaro
TE Levine Toilolo
(AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
S Montre Hartage
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (7) passes during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019 in Santa Clara, Calif. The 49ers defeated the Cowboys 17-9. (Greg Trott via AP)
S Jaquarius Landrews
(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
RB Javon Leake
(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
WR Austin Mack
(AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
T Kyle Murphy
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
WR Derrick Dillon
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
WR Binjimen Victor
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
TE Kyle Markway
(AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
OLB Dominique Ross
(AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
DE Dana Levine
(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
DE Oluwole Betiku
(AP Photo/Holly Hart)
OT Tyler Haycraft (60)
(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
QB Case Cookus, Northern Arizona
DB Malcolm Elmore, Central Methodist
DE Niko Lalos, Dartmouth
TE Rysen John
DB Dravon Askew-Henry
(Ryan Kang via AP)
DB Dravon Askew-Henry
(Joe Robbins via AP)
DB Dravon Askew-Henry
(AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
DB Dravon Askew-Henry
(Ryan Kang via AP)
LS Casey Kreiter
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
LS Casey Kreiter
(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
LS Casey Kreiter
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
LS Casey Kreiter
(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
DL Austin Johnson
(Scott Boehm via AP)
DL Austin Johnson
(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
DL Austin Johnson
(Scott Boehm via AP)
DL Austin Johnson
(Paul Spinelli via AP)
RB Dion Lewis
(AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
RB Dion Lewis
(AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
RB Dion Lewis
(AP Photo/James Kenney)
RB Dion Lewis
(AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
QB Colt McCoy
(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
QB Colt McCoy
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
QB Colt McCoy
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
QB Colt McCoy
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
S Nate Ebner
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
S Nate Ebner
(AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
S Nate Ebner
(AP Photo/Steven Senne)
S Nate Ebner
(Al Tielemans via AP)
OT Cam Fleming
(AP Photo/Josie Lepe)
OT Cam Fleming
(AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
OT Cam Fleming
(AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
OT Cam Fleming
(AP Photo/Josie Lepe)
OLB Kyler Fackrell
(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
LB Kyler Fackrell
(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
OLB Kyler Fackrell
(Scott Boehm via AP)
LB Kyler Fackrell
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
CB James Bradberry
(AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
CB James Bradberry
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
CB James Bradberry
(AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
CB James Bradberry
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
LB Blake Martinez
(AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
LB Blake Martinez
(AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
LB Blake Martinez
(Ryan Kang via AP)
LB Blake Martinez
(Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
TE Levine Toilolo
(G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
TE Levine Toilolo
(Kevin Terrell via AP)
TE Levine Toilolo (Greg Trott via AP)
TE Levine Toilolo (Kevin Terrell via AP)
S Montre Hartage
(Logan Bowles via AP)
S Montre Hartage
(Logan Bowles via AP)
S Montre Hartage
(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
S Montre Hartage
(Logan Bowles via AP)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (7) in the first half during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. (Rick Scuteri via AP)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (7) tosses a pass during pregame of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (7) rolls out to pass during a NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019 in Arlington, Tex. The Cowboys won the game 34-0. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (7) scrambles up the middle during a 2019 NFL week 2 preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams, Saturday, August 17, 2019 in Honolulu. The Cowboys defeated the Rams, 14-10. (James D. Smith via AP)
OT Andrew Thomas
(AP Photo/John Amis)
OT Andrew Thomas
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)
OT Andrew Thomas
(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
OT Andrew Thomas
(AP Photo/Brett Carlsen)
S Xavier McKinney
(AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
S Xavier McKinney
(AP Photo/Sam Craft, File)
S Xavier McKinney
(AP Photo/Marvin Gentry)
S Xavier McKinney
(AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
OT Matt Peart
(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
OT Matt Peart
(AP Photo/Stephen Dunn)
OT Matt Peart
(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
OT Matt Peart
(AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
CB Darnay Holmes
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
CB Darnay Holmes
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
CB Darnay Holmes
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
CB Darnay Holmes
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
OL Shane Lemieux
(AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
OL Shane Lemieux
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
OL Shane Lemieux
(AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
OL Shane Lemieux
(AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
LB Cam Brown
(AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
LB Cam Brown
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
LB Cam Brown
(AP Photo/Chris Knight)
LB Cam Brown
(AP Photo/Chris Knight)
LB Carter Coughlin
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
LB Carter Coughlin
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
LB Carter Coughlin
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
LB Carter Coughlin
(AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
LB T.J. Brunson
(AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
LB T.J. Brunson
(AP Photo/Sean Rayford, File)
LB T.J. Brunson
(AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
LB T.J. Brunson
(AP Photo/John Raoux)
DB Chris Williamson
(AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
DB Chris Williamson (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
DB Chris Williamson
(AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
DB Chris Williamson
(AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
LB Tae Crowder
(AP Photo/Bill Feig)
LB Tae Crowder
(AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
LB Tae Crowder
(AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
LB Tae Crowder
(AP Photo/John Amis)
S Jaquarius Landrews
(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
S Jaquarius Landrews
(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
S Jaquarius Landrews
(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
S Jaquarius Landrews
(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
RB Javon Leake
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
RB Javon Leake
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
RB Javon Leake
(AP Photo/Will Newton)
RB Javon Leake
(AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
WR Austin Mack
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
WR Austin Mack
(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
WR Austin Mack
(AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
WR Austin Mack
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
T Kyle Murphy
(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
T Kyle Murphy
(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
T Kyle Murphy
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
T Kyle Murphy
(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
WR Derrick Dillon
(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
WR Derrick Dillon
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
WR Derrick Dillon
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
WR Derrick Dillon
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
WR Binjimen Victor
(AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
WR Binjimen Victor
(AP Photo/AJ Mast)
WR Binjimen Victor
(AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
WR Binjimen Victor
(AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
TE Kyle Markway
(AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
TE Kyle Markway
(AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
TE Kyle Markway
(AP Photo/Wade Payne)
TE Kyle Markway
(AP Photo/Wade Payne)
LB Dominique Ross
(AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
OLB Dominique Ross
(AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
OLB Dominique Ross
(AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
DE Dana Levine
(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
NFL Network's 'The Top 100 Players of 2020' premieres Sunday
For the 10th consecutive year, current NFL players have voted to determine the Top 100 players in the league.
‘The Top 100 Players of 2020’ countdown begins Sunday night. NFL Network will reveal each player on the list with three, one-hour episodes airing each night from 8:00 to 11:00pm through Tuesday.
The top 10 players on the list will be announced in a special two-hour episode Wednesday at 8:00pm.
Giants star running back Saquon Barkley was voted No. 16 on last year's top 100 list following his superb rookie season in which he totaled over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns on his way to taking home the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year award.
Test your knowledge of Giants Hall of Famers
Bill Parcells has won eight playoff games with the Giants. Where does that rank among Giants head coaches?
How many consecutive seasons was Lawrence Taylor selected as both an All-Pro and a Pro Bowler to start his career?
In what year did Michael Strahan set the single-season sack record with his 22.5 sacks?
Giants.com takes a look at the New York Giants named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
BILL PARCELLS - Class of 2013, Coach, 1983-1990 New York Giants, 1993-96 New England Patriots, 1997-99 New York Jets, 2003-06 Dallas Cowboys
TIM MARA - Class of 1963, Founder-Owner, 1925-1959 New York Giants
MEL HEIN - Class of 1963, Center, 1931-1945 New York Giants
STEVE OWEN - Class of 1966, Coach-Tackle, 1924-1925 Kansas City Cowboys, 1925 Cleveland Bulldogs, 1926-1953 New York Giants
KEN STRONG - Class of 1967, Halfback, 1929-1932 Staten Island Stapletons, 1933-1935, 1939, 1944-1947 New York Giants, 1936-1937 New York Yanks (AFL)
EMLEN TUNNELL - Class of 1967, Safety, 1948-1958 New York Giants, 1959-1961 Green Bay Packers
ANDY ROBUSTELLI - Class of 1971, Defensive End, 1951-1955 Los Angeles Rams, 1956-1964 New York Giants
Y.A. TITTLE - Class of 1971, Quarterback, 1948-1950 Baltimore Colts (AAFC/NFL), 1951-1960 San Francisco 49ers, 1961-1964 New York Giants
ROOSEVELT BROWN - Class of 1975, Offensive Tackle, 1953-1965 New York Giants
FRANK GIFFORD - Class of 1977, Halfback, Flanker, 1952-1960, 1962-1964 New York Giants
ALPHONSE (TUFFY) LEEMANS - Class of 1978, Halfback-Fullback, 1936-1943 New York Giants
MORRIS (RED) BADGRO - Class of 1981, End, 1927-1928 New York Yankees, 1930-1935 New York Giants, 1936 Brooklyn Dodgers
SAM HUFF - Class of 1982, Linebacker, 1956-1963 New York Giants, 1964-1967, 1969 Washington Redskins
ARNIE WEINMEISTER - Class of 1984, Defensive Tackle, 1948 New York Yankees (AAFC), 1949 Brooklyn-New York Yankees (AAFC), 1950-1953 New York Giants
FRAN TARKENTON - Class of 1986, Quarterback, 1961-66, 1972-78 Minnesota Vikings, 1967-1971 New York Giants
WELLINGTON MARA - Class of 1997, Owner-Administrator, 1937-2005 New York Giants
LAWRENCE TAYLOR - Class of 1999, Linebacker, 1981-1993 New York Giants
BENNY FRIEDMAN - Class of 2005, Quarterback, 1927 Cleveland Bulldogs, 1928 Detroit Wolverines, 1929-1931 New York Giants, 1932-1934 Brooklyn Dodgers
HARRY CARSON - Class of 2006, Linebacker, 1976-1988 New York Giants
MICHAEL STRAHAN - Class of 2014, Defensive End, 1993-2007 New York Giants
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