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New York Giants’ Young Safeties Poised To Take Next Step

By Evan Graziano

Jun 6, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants safety Darian Thompson (27) intercepts a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) during organized team activities at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 6, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants safety Darian Thompson (27) intercepts a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) during organized team activities at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 29, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) is sacked by New York Giants safety Cooper Taylor (30) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Giants 28-18. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 29, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) is sacked by New York Giants safety Cooper Taylor (30) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Giants 28-18. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

Cooper Taylor

The oldest player competing for a roster spot at the safety position, Cooper Taylor, a player taken in the 2013 draft out of Richmond, has also been given the most opportunity to earn a role in the Giants defense.  After ending every season of his career on IR, Taylor was again sidelined this spring with a sports hernia.

In his 3 year career, he has only dressed for 16 games and registered 8 tackles.  His lone highlight is a blocked punt return for a touchdown during his rookie season and he has yet to record an interception as a professional.  Quite frankly, he has little chance to end the summer on the roster, let alone compete for a starting role.  He missed all of 2014 after undergoing foot surgery, but came back for the summer heading into 2015 taking first team reps.  These didn’t last and by October he was cut, replaced by veteran cast-offs who in his stead let up the second most yards in NFL history.  Out of necessity, he was signed back off the streets the next month, saw game action during a three week stretch in December but suffered a season-ending concussion against the Carolina Panthers in week 14. His short stint at the end of last season was the most he’d seen the field in his three years with the Giants.

Barring a Sean Taylor-esque preseason showing, Taylor likely has run his course with the Giants.  He has not appeared on the field with enough regularity to justify anything beyond scant special teams duty.  The other players on the roster deserve the on-flied reps and unfortunately, Taylor represents another failed draft pick for the Giants.

Next: Bennett Jackson, 2014; R6 P#187

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