With New York Giants training camp beginning in late July, all of the positional groups on the team are broken down by BigBlueInteractive.com (BBI) until the players report to Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN: Defensive Backs
2023 YEAR IN REVIEW:
The defensive line and linebackers reviews of the New York Giants from 2023 have already covered how the defense did, with the defense ranking 27th in yards allowed and 26th in points allowed.
Wink Martindale’s scheme persisted in emphasizing riskier press man coverage, which in turn allowed the defense to blitz more effectively. The end result was 81 pass defenses (tied for ninth) and 18 interceptions, which ranked third in the league. The group also limited the quarterbacks of the opposition to a QBR of 84.1, which was ninth best. However, the Giants dropped from 14th in 2022 to 19th in 2023 in passing yards allowed, and their opponent’s net yards per pass attempt was 6.3, ranking them 22nd in the NFL.
Regarding particular personal adjustments, Jason Pinnock took Julian Love’s place at safety when he departed in free agency. In the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Giants selected Deonte Banks to start opposite Adoree’ Jackson, filling a void left by the departure of James Bradberry during the previous summer.
CORNERBACKS:
Adoree’ Jackson, who is prone to injuries, did not perform as well as he did in 2022; he missed too many tackles and gave up too many huge plays in the passing game. Jackson missed time due to injuries once more; he had two concussions and one neck injury during a game. He concluded the season with 63 tackles, one forced fumble, one interception that he recovered for a touchdown, and eight pass defenses in 14 starts (88 percent of defensive snaps). Additionally, he received four flags. The impending free agent appeared to be choosing to avoid touch in order to make “business” decisions at times.
For the most part, Deonte Banks lived up to expectations for his first season, earning a starting position right away. Due to a shoulder injury, Banks was out for the final two games of the season but started the remaining 15 games (84 percent of defensive snaps). He finished the season with 64 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, and 11 pass defenses (tied for most on the team). Penalties were a problem, as Banks was reported seven times in the media.
In the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Giants picked Old Dominion University’s Tre Hawkins III. Surprisingly, he made an immediate impression, receiving first-team reps during the summer and winning the coaches’ admiration. In fact, Hawkins and fellow rookie Deonte Banks started at outside corner after Martindale shifted Adoree’ Jackson to slot corner. But Hawkins faltered in coverage as the serious shots started to come in, and he soon lost that starting position. Hawkins finished the season with 35 tackles and one pass defense, appearing in all 17 games with three starts. 31 percent of defensive snaps were given to him, and he played primarily in seven games, which included the season’s opening three weeks. Additionally, he received four flags.
Once the Adoree’ Jackson to the slot experiment concluded, Cor’Dale Flott moved up in the depth chart to take Darnay Holmes’ place at nickel cornerback for the team in his second season. Flott, on the other hand, had a mixed year, excelling in coverage at times and faltering at others. After sitting out the first three weeks of action, he played in the final 14 games (56 percent of defensive snaps), making seven starts and racking up 36 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, and five pass defenses for the season. Four flags were raised for him.
As previously noted, Darnay Holmes suffered a decline in his percentage of defensive snaps from 59 percent in 2022 to 12 percent in 2023, and he lost his position as nickel corner to Cor’Dale Flott. Holmes did not participate in Week 2 despite appearing in 16 games without a start. In the end, he racked up 18 tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble, one tackle for a loss, and three pass defenses.
Nick McCloud continued to be a valuable and adaptable reserve and occasionally starter even if his playing time decreased in 2023, with his overall defensive snap percentage dropping from 57 percent in 2022 to 28 percent in 2023. McCloud was credited with 28 tackles, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, one interception, and two pass defenses in all 17 games in which he started. He received no punishment. In addition, he was useful on special teams, where he led the club in tackles (7).
Aaron Robinson, who is currently healing from a major ACL/MCL injury sustained in 2022, was placed on the Physically-Unable-to-Perform (PUP) List for the entire season. Practice Squad members were Stantley Thomas-Oliver and Kaleb Hayes.
SAFETIES:
In 2023, Xavier McKinney participated in every game and in every defensive play (1,128). With 116 (second-most on the team) tackles at the end of the season, he also tied the team high with three interceptions, two tackles for losses, 0.5 sacks, one quarterback hit, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and eleven pass defenses. For the majority of the season, McKinney was consistent, trustworthy, and occasionally outstanding. Three flags were raised, but none of them included coverage fines.
In his second season with the Giants in 2023, Jason Pinnock established himself as a full-time starter, participating in nearly every defensive snap (95 percent). However, a toe injury kept him out of action for the majority of Week 17 and the regular-season finale, forcing him to be placed on Injured Reserve. Eventually, Pinnock started 16 games, racked up 85 tackles, 6 sacks, interceptions, forced fumbles, and six tackles for loss. He took one of his interceptions and ran it back 102 yards to score. He received only one flag.
Dane Belton was already established as the team’s starting safety reserve in his second season. He ended with 33 tackles, three tackles for losses, one sack, two quarterback hits, one fumble recovery, two interceptions, and two pass defenses in all 17 games he participated in (26 percent of total defensive snaps). He wasn’t marked as suspicious. Belton had a flair for making huge plays when he was playing.
Following his release from the Washington Commanders, Bobby McCain signed a contract with the Giants in March 2023. He was cut in early December after appearing in ten games, nearly all of which were on special teams.
In the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Gervarrius Owens was chosen by the Giants. Despite making the 53-man roster because to his summertime brilliance, he only participated in three games as a rookie, all of which were special teams contests.
ADDITIONS/SUBTRACTIONS:
Adoree’ Jackson, the cornerback, surprisingly chose to remain a free agency after not being re-signed. Nick McCloud, Darnay Holmes, Kaleb Hayes, and Stantley Thomas-Oliver were all re-signed by the team. They signed veteran corners Tre Herndon and David Long, Jr., and selected Andru Phillips in the third round of the draft.
Though Saquon Barkley’s exit has garnered the most of media and fan interest, Xavier McKinney’s free agency departure might be more significant. He agreed to a $67 million, four-year contract with Green Bay.
The first true safety picked in the 2024 NFL Draft was Tyler Nubin, chosen by the Giants. In addition, they signed rookie free agency Alex Johnson and veteran free agents Elijah Riley and Jalen Mills of the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively, as safeties.
TRAINING CAMP STORY LINES:
The secondary has been in flux for a few years now, much like the rest of the team. Xavier McKinney and Adoree’ Jackson are the most recent centerpiece starters to leave, and it is unclear who will take their places. Cor’Dale Flott received first-team reps this spring at outside corner opposite of Deonte Banks, but he may face pressure from Tre Hawkins, Nick McCloud, Aaron Robinson, and veteran newcomers David Long and Tre Herndon. Additionally, safety could be a bigger concern because new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen will employ more two-deep, split zone coverage. It is generally assumed that Jason Pinnock will continue to start, but that is uncertain. Tyler Nubin, a rookie, perfectly fits Bowen’s scheme, but he is a rookie, and DanON THE BUBBLE: There are currently 18 players on the 91-man roster. The Giants are likely to keep 10 or 11 defensive backs. Barring injury, the locks appear to be Deonte Banks, Cor’Dale Flott, Andru Phillips, Jason Pinnock, Tyler Nubin, and Dane Belton. Nick McCloud is also likely to make it given his versatility and special teams value.
FROM THE COACHES AND PLAYERS:
FINAL THOUGHTS: There are two main reasons for the uncertainty at this position: (1) the change in defensive scheme will likely be most noticeable in the secondary, and (2) key personnel losses and new faces in the secondary. The Giants will use more zone, more bend-but-don’t-break defensive coverage. They don’t want to give up the cheap big play but force opposing offenses to drive the field. The returning players will have to adapt to this approach. Some will be better suited for this style of defense, others may struggle to adapt. Associated with all of this is the fact that the team will be VERY young in the secondary. Take “veteran” Cor’Dale Flott. Entering his third season, Flott turns 23 years old in August. Deonte Banks is 23. Andru Phillips may start at nickel and he is 22. Tyler Nubin is a rookie who may start and he is 23. Dane Belton is 23. The “old man” of the group is Jason Pinnock at 25.
The good news is the Giants have some brought in some veteran insurance policies in corners Tre Herndon and David Long, as well as veteran safeties Jalen Mills and Elijah Riley. Still, only Mills is over 28. It’s a very young group who, as Jerome Henderson has publicly admitted, will experience growing pains.
What will be fascinating to watch is how Shane Bowen handles the defensive backs. The Tennessee Titans were hit hard with injuries in the secondary and Head Coach Mike Vrabel and Bowens went with a more conservative approach. Now out of the shadow of Vrabel and with a healthier unit, will Bowen be more aggressive? There has been mixed messaging as he said he wants corners who can play man, but other statements clearly indicate more zone coverage. Teams like Dallas feasted on Wink Martindale’s “pressure breaks pipes” approach. One thing is clear, Vrabel/Bowen loved DB-heavy personnel packages, often being in dime.
Back to personnel, will Deonte Banks take another step forward and become a true #1 corner? That would help tremendously. Who starts opposite of him? First up is Cor’Dale Flott, but he may be on a short leash with a number of other candidates nipping at his heels. Some have already discounted Tre Hawkins, but he has the physical tools you want in the position. Nick McCloud is one of those guys you just can’t seem to get rid of, and veterans David Long and Tre Herndon are lurking.
The one spot the team has been unsuccessfully trying to address for years is nickel corner. This is a league-wide issue as more and more teams target the nickel corner in both the pass and run game. You need a guy who can play inside out against the very best wideouts, while at the same time be physical enough to play against the run. It’s why Brian Branch became so valuable to Detroit so quickly. The Giants have drafted and tried Darnay Holmes, Aaron Robinson, Cor’Dale Flott to play the spot. They even moved Adoree’ Jackson there briefly. Next up is Andre Phillips.
Speaking of Holmes, he’s the perfect example of someone who may have been on the way out under Wink’s schemes, but who may see a rebirth under Bowen. Who plays in the secondary often depends as much on scheme as it does talent. My point here is don’t automatically base evaluations on what has happened in a different system.
Perhaps the biggest dark horse and long shot? Aaron Robinson. Drafted to play nickel corner, the Giants were desperate for him to play outside in 2022 when James Bradberry was let go. He won the starting job, missed a couple of games with an appendicitis, and then tore up his knee in Week 4. He’s been out ever since. It’s not impossible that he becomes a factor at either nickel or outside corner. On the other hand, is he permanently-damaged goods?
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