Former Washington linebacker Ryan Anderson is staying within the NFC East division, signing a one-year deal with the New York Giants. Anderson is guaranteed $137,500 at signing, according to Dan Duggan of the Athletic. The deal is worth $1.125 million, according to Spotrac.
Ryan Anderson, 26, was a second-round draft pick of Washington in 2017 out of Alabama. However, he struggled to find his footing in four seasons with Washington. He’s undersized as an edge rusher but his 4.78 speed isn’t ideal for a 4-3 outside linebacker.
His first three seasons he was primarily a situational edge rusher in their 3-4 scheme, playing roughly 17% of Washington’s defensive snaps. In 2019, he started four games which led to his most productive year of his career. That season he picked up a career-best four sacks and played 49% of their defensive snaps.
Unfortunately a new coaching staff and switch to a 4-3 base scheme, Anderson got lost in the shuffle. He was buried on a deep and talented defensive line. The 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young, 2019 first-round draft pick Montez Sweat and Washington’s all-time sack leader Ryan Kerrigan made it difficult to find a spot for Anderson.
Now, Anderson gets a fresh start and opportunity to prove he can fit into a new scheme with the Giants.
