Can Matthew Adams be an upgrade from Cam Brown for the Giants?

Let’s begin our annual player-by-player profiles of the New York Giants 90-man roster today. We go alphabetically, which means veteran linebacker/special teamer Matthew Adams is up first.

The skinny

Height: 6-foot
Weight: 230
Age: 28
Position: LB
Experience: 6
Contract: One-year, $1,292,500 | 2024 cap hit: $1,152,500 | Guaranteed: $967,500

Career to date

A 2018 seventh-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts, Adams has made a career as one of the league premier special teams players. He was voted First-Team Pro Football Focus All-Pro for special teams in 2021 and again in 2023.

In six seasons, he has played just 605 defensive snaps, while playing 1,742 defensive snaps. He has played more than 60% of defensive snaps in each season in the NFL. He is a five-team player on specials, used on kick coverage, kick return, punt coverage, punt return and field goal/extra point block.

The Giants signed Adams in April after he spent last season with the Cleveland Browns.

2024 outlook

Adams figures to have a good chance to make the 53-man roster. On its face, he is a replacement for Cam Brown, a core special teams player who played only 14 combined defensive snaps for the Giants the past three seasons. Brown is now a member of the Miami Dolphins.

The Giants brought back special teamer/reserve linebacker Carter Coughlin to compete for a roster spot. They also have fifth-round pick Darius Muasau and 2022 sixth-round pick Darrian Beavers.