James Bettcher may get another familiar face for his defense. Former Arizona Cardinals defensive end Josh Mauro is visiting Bettcher and the New York Giants, according to a source.
Mauro flew to New Jersey on Sunday and will meet with the Giants and his former defensive coordinator. The two spent the past four seasons together in Arizona, where the Cardinals had a top-six defense each of the previous three years.
Mauro, 27, started 26 games in four seasons with the Cardinals. He started seven games last year, recording 22 tackles and a sack. He was released last week as Arizona shifted to a 4-3 defense under new coordinator Steve Wilks.
The Giants are changing their defense this offseason under Bettcher, who was hired by new coach Pat Shurmur earlier this year. They are set to run a version of a 3-4 defensive scheme, which is a better fit for Mauro’s skill set. He’s known as a hard-working grinder who is stout against the run.
Mauro fills a need in that he plays as a five-technique defensive end in the 3-4 scheme, a player with similarities to former Pittsburgh Steelers end Brett Keisel. Mauro would add much-needed depth to the Giants’ defensive line, joining Damon Harrison and Dalvin Tomlinson as big bodies with their hands in the dirt.
Defensive linemen Jay Bromley and Kerry Wynn remain free agents.
Mauro is listed at 6-foot-6 and 282 pounds. He was originally signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent out of Stanford, before landing with the Cardinals after being released prior to the start of his rookie season.
Mauro appeared in 47 career games for Arizona with two sacks.