Trying to answer New York Giants’ CB questions
By Henry Buggy
It’s likely not a top priority for Dave Gettleman, but the New York Giants face some significant questions at the cornerback position this offseason.
The G-Men are reportedly expected to move veteran cornerback Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie to free safety in 2018, leaving the team with just five cornerbacks under contract.
Three of those five cornerbacks are likely not long-term solutions for the New York Giants. That leaves Janoris Jenkins and Eli Apple as Big Blue’s top two cornerbacks.
Giants head coach Pat Shurmur and Gettleman have both said Apple will have a “clean slate” moving forward. The 2016 first-round pick has shown some promise on the gridiron but has also been a distraction for the organization off the field.
Jenkins earned second-team All-Pro honors in his first season with Big Blue. Many expected the Jackrabbit to continue to dominate in 2017 but that was clearly not the case. Jenkins struggled to stay consistent both in coverage and against the run.
To be fair, the six-year veteran was battling an ankle injury for a large portion of the season before being placed on injured reserve in late November.
New York Giants
The Giants are surely hoping Jenkins returns to form in 2018, but Big Blue also needs to plan for the future. Jenkins turns 30-years-old in October and Apple’s future in New York is questionable at best.
Offensive line, running back, and linebacker are the team’s most pressing needs for the upcoming season. The Giants are also likely planning ahead at the quarterback position but will need to address their secondary at some point this offseason.
Free Agency & Draft Options
Gettleman will have limited cap space to work with in free agency, especially with the Giants reportedly targeting Andrew Norwell.
Even if Big Blue isn’t able to land Carolina’s All-Pro guard, the G-Men are still expected to spend top dollar on their offensive line. New York’s top two offensive linemen, Justin Pugh and Weston Richburg, are set to test the market, forcing Gettleman into a tough situation.
With New York likely making significant offers to Norwell and Pugh in free agency, Gettleman is unlikely to sign one of the top cornerbacks. Trumaine Johnson, Malcolm Butler, and Kyle Fuller will all be too expensive for Big Blue. But there are some options that could make sense.
Re-signing Ross Cockrell could be the best solution for the Giants. The 26-year-old cornerback has plenty of football ahead and exceeded expectations in 2017.
The Giants gave up a seventh-round draft selection for Pittsburgh’s former fourth-round pick. Cockrell started nine games and earned the fifth-highest grade of any Giant, according to Pro Football Focus.
The highest graded Giants from 2017! pic.twitter.com/0yhRX02Hju
— PFF NY Giants (@PFF_Giants) January 4, 2018
The Giants could also look to target Tramon Williams, who had a phenomenal season under James Bettcher in Arizona. The only problem with that signing is Williams turns 35-years-old this March.
Bashaud Breeland, Davon House, Terrance Mitchell, and former Giant Prince Amukamara could all be potential options in free agency. Gettleman will likely have to let the market determine their value.
The 2018 draft will also provide Big Blue plenty of options. The Giants are highly unlikely to take a cornerback with the No. 2 overall pick. But there are multiple mid-round options with starting potential.
Alabama’s Anthony Averett, Texas’ Holton Hill, North Carolina’s M.J. Stewart, and Virginia Tech’s Brandon Facyson are just some options projected to still be on the board at the start of the second-round.
New York’s best option might be to re-sign Cockrell on a team-friendly deal and select a cornerback with upside potential in the mid-rounds. One thing is certain though, the G-Men do need to address the cornerback position.