How Brandon Meriweather Reshapes the Giants Roster
By Jesse Connor
The addition of 9 year veteran Brandon Meriweather gives the Giants their only proven safety. Meriweather will be given an opportunity to start, possibly immediately. Though he fills a void left by Mykkel Thompson he will inevitably force the Giants to make room for him somewhere on the roster.
Meriweather presence intensifies the battle between Cooper Taylor, Bennett Jackson, Jeromy Miles, Justin Currie, and Nat Berhe. All 5 of them are fighting for two or maybe three roster spots. Second round draft pick Landon Collins is a virtual lock to make the roster and is the only player we should 100% expect to be a part of that position group.
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In the likely possibility the Giants opt to keep Meriweather. He would bring verteran and playoff experience, two things that can go along way around a younger group of players. If he stays it could possibly spell the end for Jeromy Miles and/or Cooper Taylor. Nat Berhe and Bennett Jackson were both drafted in 2014 and its uncommon of general manager Jerry Reese to give up on players after just 1 season.
If the Giants are tight one roster spot at safety they may move one to cornerback. Bennett Jackson could play corner as he did in college at Notre Dame. Jackson played very well in the loss to the Bengals on Friday night. He led the team with 6 tackles and did not shy away from contact. Jackson may be a better option as a backup cornerback than Jayron Hosley, Chandler Fenner, Josh Gordy, or safety Jeromy Miles.
Despite the rash of injuries in the secondary this signing surprised me. This is the type of player that management has steered clear from in the past. The Giants are both desperate and thin at a vital position. Hopefully Brandon Meriweather can help Big Blue fix those issues.
I have not been a fan of Meriweather’s in the past. This has soley been based on his tendency to play “dirty”. Either way his presence does increase the quality of talent on the Giants roster and someone else will have to leave if he is to stick around.