Where do the Giants stand at linebacker before the 2016 NFL Draft

A position group that greatly contributed to the Giants finishing as the league’s worst defense has only been marginally upgraded. They allowed more yards to opposing tight ends (1,303) than They struggled badly covering opposing running backs. Anything underneath against the Giants last year was like taking candy from a baby.

“We’re good there. What we did with the front [in free agency] helps everybody,” defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. “I think those guys feel the same way.”

The Giants spent most of their $200 plus million in free agency on their front four. They added run stuffing defensive tackle Damon Harrison, defensive end Olivier Vernon and re signed Jason Pierre Paul. Thomas on the weakside and Devon Kennard and Mark Herzlich on the strongside. The newly signed defensive linemen will free up the next level of their defense.

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The Giants could also add a linebacker in the draft, possibly as early as the first round. Georgia’s Leonard Floyd is a player that has caught the Giants’ eyes with athleticism they don’t currently boast at the position.

If they don’t draft Floyd with the 10th overall pick, the Giants are taking quite the gamble going into the season with pretty much the same group as last year. They’d be counting heavily on the oft injured Robinson (replacing the oft injured Jon Beason) and Kennard remaining healthy.

Kennard, 24, played in nine games because of hamstring and foot injuries last season and did not record a sack despite being touted as their pass rushing linebacker. He has missed 11 games in his two professional seasons after some injury problems in high school and college.

The third year linebacker is the headliner of the “if only he’s healthy group.” Kennard has all the skills and talent the Giants want at linebacker. So does Robinson, who has never played more than 13 games in an NFL season.

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As new linebackers coach Bill McGovern (formerly of the Eagles) said on Friday, the Giants are looking for players that play hard, fast, poised and smart.

“We want to be a physical defense,” McGovern added.

Kennard (251 pounds) can play that style of football. So can Brinkley (255 pounds) and Herzlich (246 pounds). But there’s more to success than just size and desire.

McGovern will be on the lookout for something that’s harder to locate this spring and summer.

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“You’d like to know their intangibles,” he said. “That’s the thing that kind of makes the difference for a linebacker or a lot of guys, whether they’re going to have success or not.”

McGovern’s hoping it’s there, that he’ll be able to extract it from some of the Giants current linebackers. But no matter what, he’ll have his work cut out for him this year, whether it’s with the current group or with the help of reinforcements.