It wasn’t long ago that the NY Giants were trotting out fringe starting caliber players at cornerback and safety, but suddenly boast one of the deepest secondaries in the NFL.
Just last season, players like Isaac Yiadom, Madre Harper, and Darnay Holmes played meaningful snaps for the NY Giants, but Holmes is likely the only lock from that group to make the roster this season.
Following an offseason that saw the NY Giants sign top outside cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, to pair opposite James Bradberry, and snag Aaron Robinson, who was highly coveted on day two of the 2021 NFL Draft, New York suddenly has one of the deepest secondaries in the NFL.
Here’s a look at how the NY Giants’ starting secondary will likely align next season:
RCB – Adoree-Jackson
LCB – James Bradberry
Nickel – Darnay Holmes
S – Logan Ryan
S – Jabrill Peppers
Bradberry is a Pro Bowl caliber cornerback, and arguably the premier free agent signing of the Dave Gettleman era, while Peppers is burgeoning defensive back, who is coming off his strongest season as a pro.
In addition to the starters at their positions, Xavier McKinney was among the steals of the 2020 NFL Draft, and the second-round pick will likely push for the nickel job and be on the field when the NY Giants are in three safety sets.
Pro Football Focus lists the NY Giants as one of the most improved secondaries in the NFL:
"3. NEW YORK GIANTSDon’t look now, but the Giants currently boast of the deepest secondaries in the NFL. They’ve consistently added pieces to the unit in recent years via trade (Jabrill Peppers), free agency (James Bradberry and Logan Ryan) and the draft (Xavier McKinney, Julian Love and Darnay Holmes). That only continued this offseason with the additions of Adoree’ Jacksonfollowing his surprise release from the Tennessee Titans and cornerbacks Aaron Robinsonand Rodarius Williams in the 2021 NFL Draft.Jackson missed most of the 2020 season due to injury, but he was developing into one of the better young cornerbacks in the NFL prior to last season. He graded at 73.0 or higher in each of his first three seasons and entered last season off a career-high 82.5 grade in coverage. Few receivers beat him deep. Since entering the league in 2017, Jackson has allowed just 14 receptions on passes 20-plus yards downfield while forcing 18 incompletions (second-most in NFL).Robinson and Williams both appear to be good values at where they were selected, as well. Robinson has a good chance to compete for the starting slot job — a position he manned at UCF. His size and experience in press coverage will also give him an opportunity to compete outside.Those secondary additions paired with a revamped receiving corps have the Giants looking like an intriguing team heading into next season."
The NY Giants have certainly gotten better on the perimeter, on both sides of the ball, and those additions just might push New York across the postseason finish line for the first time since 2016.
Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL