NFL Player Props: Bet Bobby Okereke on Thursday Night Football

One of the newest additions to the Giants defense this season is middle linebacker Bobby Okereke. The former Colt was signed to a four-year, $40 million deal by Big Blue in an effort to shore up a meager rush defense.

The results have been mixed thus far, but the off-ball linebacker should be in for plenty of action on Thursday Night Football against the 49ers.

Okereke cleared this line last week against the Cardinals, and he also eclipsed eight combined tackles in 11 of the 15 games he played at least 60% of defensive snaps last season.

He slots in as the focal point of defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s defense; he has yet to come off the field in two games.

Tonight, that should mean a lot of work for Okereke. With the Giants missing two stars on offense — running back Saquon Barkley and left tackle Andrew Thomas — it’s going to be an absolute struggle for Daniel Jones and company to move the ball against the 49ers defense.

The Brock Purdy-led offense features plenty of runs and short-to-intermediate passes within Okereke’s realm. In fact, dating back to last season, an opposing off-ball linebacker has recorded at least eight combined tackles in nine of Purdy’s 10 full games played.

Okereke’s running mate in the middle of the Giants' 3-4 scheme, Micah McFadden, enters Thursday with a questionable designation. Even if he suits up, I’m loving Okereke’s breakout potential.

I have the fifth-year pro cracking double-digit tackles, and I would play this line up to over 8.5 for a half-unit.