The New York Giants are adding a veteran defensive lineman to help make up for the loss of Justin Tuck.
The team announced Wednesday it had signed defensive end Robert Ayers. Fox Sports reported the deal was a two-year agreement.
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Ayers, 28, was selected in the first round of the draft by the Denver Broncos in 2009. He started 11 games at outside linebacker (2009 to '10) and 16 games at defensive end (2011 to '13) in five seasons in the Mile High City.
Ayers had a career-best 5.5 sacks last season in 15 games (three starts).
The defensive end's versatility will be a boon to a defensive front that has lost veteran talent each of the past two offseasons (Osi Umenyiora and Tuck).
Ayers is coming off a stellar season in a Broncos rotation and is a solid value signing for the Giants at this stage of free agency. He is a good run defender and will provide depth on the line along with Mathias Kiwanuka and Damontre Moore (coming off a disappointing rookie season) opposite Jason Pierre-Paul.
The Giants continue to plug holes in a defense that clearly is the strength of the team, at this point.
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