Three potential candidates to replace Wink Martindale as Giants DC

The November rumors of "tension" between New York Giants HC Brian Daboll and DC Don "Wink" Martindale apparently weren't just smoke. On Monday, it was announced that New York and Martindale were parting ways after two seasons and that the assistant is expected to resign, though he has not yet officially done so.

In light of the midseason reports, the move isn't necessarily surprising, but New York's defense wasn't exactly its biggest issue. After such a controversial exit, the pressure is on for Daboll to land a significant upgrade for his defensive play-caller. Here are three candidates who could be his answer. 

Antonio Pierce, Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach

Although Pierce enjoyed an impressive 5-4 run as Las Vegas' head coach and has the support of several key players, if the team hires a more experienced candidate, he should be New York's top choice. According to Sports Illustrated's Hondo S. Carpenter, that appears to be the case already, as a member of the Giants organization told him that Pierce "would be a top target for our DC job."

While it would be a step-down, given his recent success, Pierce might not get serious consideration for another team's head-coaching job. Taking on a DC role would be an improvement over his previous position as a linebackers coach, and the opportunity to work for the team he won Super Bowl XLII with could be enticing for Pierce. 

Under Pierce, the Raiders transformed into one of the NFL's top defensive units, allowing the fewest points (16) and 11th-fewest yards per game (324.9) while forcing 14 turnovers. Additionally, the Raiders collected 30 sacks over their final nine games, and if there's one team that would benefit from a better pass-rushing scheme, it's the Giants, whose 34 sacks were the fourth-fewest in the league. 

Leslie Frazier, free agent

Given Daboll and GM Joe Schoen's ties to the Buffalo Bills, it wouldn't be shocking if Frazier, who was the team's DC from 2017 through the 2022 season, was an early front-runner to replace Martindale. New York has shown interest in Frazier multiple times over the years, as he interviewed for its head-coaching vacancy in 2022 and visited the team last offseason intending to possibly join the staff. 

In addition to his Bills tenure, Frazier had three other stints as a defensive coordinator, working for the Cincinnati Bengals (2003-2004), Minnesota Vikings (2007-10) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2014-15). However, the 64-year-old undoubtedly enjoyed his most success as a DC in Buffalo. In three of his six seasons with the Bills, Frazier’s defense was a top-three unit in terms of points and yards allowed, including in 2021, where the team ranked first in both categories.  

Andre Patterson, New York Giants defensive line coach 

While there should be several intriguing external candidates to choose from this offseason, going the internal route could be beneficial, especially if there are any players who passionately disagree with Martindale's departure. Patterson is perhaps the most underrated member of Daboll's staff and was instrumental in developing DT Dexter Lawrence II into a two-time Pro Bowler and one of the best players at his position.

Over his first three seasons, Lawrence played just 150 snaps at nose tackle, the position he would move to permanently thanks to Patterson, and the results have been strikingly different. Lawrence notched 8.5 career sacks and 30 QB hits before Daboll's staff took over, and just last season alone, he racked up 7.5 sacks and 28 QB hits. 

Patterson spent two seasons as the co-defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings (2020-21) and played an integral role in elevating their pass rush to an elite level. In Patterson's second season with the Vikings, the team ranked second in sacks (51), which was more than double their 2020 sack total (23). Giants edge-rushers Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari's play still leaves much to be desired, so having the opportunity to continue working under Patterson could help each make significant leaps, even if they aren't as drastic as Lawrence's.