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2013 NFL Free Agency: Potential Giants' target -- Richard Seymour, DL, Oakland Raiders

Could veteran defensive lineman Richard Seymour be a fit for the New York Giants?

By Ed Valentine

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Richard Seymour of the Oakland Raiders is a free agent
Richard Seymour of the Oakland Raiders is a free agent
Ezra Shaw

Let's continue our look at potential New York Giants free-agent targets by discussing veteran defensive tackle Richard Seymour, who will be one of the best defensive linemen on the market despite the fact that he will turn 34 next season.

[Big Blue View NFL Free Agency Hub]

Seymour, a 12-year veteran, had three sacks and 15 tackles in eight games for Oakland a season ago. He missed eight games with injuries. In the 361 snaps Seymour did play in 2012 Pro Football Focus ranked him at +9.5, fourth-best among unrestricted free agent defensive tackles.

Levi Damien of SB Nation's Silver and Black Pride says:

Seymour has had knee issues the past two seasons. He was able to play through them last season until he added a hamstring injury and was out the last half of the season. He was very effective in 2011 so it's possible he can heal up enough to be effective again in some capacity but it's far from a sure thing. He will undoubtedly receive a one year deal from someone, likely more than one team. But he was getting a lot of days off in camp the past couple years so it's hard to say if he will be able to hold up. It seems to me he is destined to be a rotational guy much like John Henderson was his last couple seasons in the league.

The 6-foot-6, 317-pound Seymour is not a long-term solution, nor is he probably an every down player. He did earn a score of +8.5 from PFF vs. the run in 2012. In 2011 he was +15.5 overall (+5.1 vs. the run, +18.9 vs. the pass, with penalties dragging down his overall score).

Could Seymour be a one-year, rotational solution for the Giants while they try to develop a young tackle like Markus Kuhn or Marvin Austin, or work in a player they select in the 2013 NFL Draft?

This type of veteran stop-gap signing is not usually general manager Jerry Reese's style. Younger, under-the-radar players with upside generally seem to be the Giants' preference. Stop-gap players like Deon Grant and Keith Bulluck have, however, been brought in to fill holes.

The Giants, of course, don't usually go for the splashy signing. Seymour is a seven-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, but at this point in his career he would not be in the 'splash' category. Considering the Giants' apparent need at defensive tackle, and a salary cap situation that seems unlikely to allow for more than short-term, lower-cost free-agent signings, might Seymour be a fit for New York?

Your thoughts, Giants' fans?

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