NY Giants OTAs: Handicapping 4 key position battles
There could be significant competition for the few remaining starting jobs on an improved NY Giants roster during this spring’s OTAs and training camp this summer
The NY Giants’ offseason spending spree has resulted in what is seemingly a significantly more talented roster entering this season than finished last, which will likely create competition at several key positions this spring and summer.
This week, OTAs continue for the NY Giants in East Rutherford, and while there is a chance that as many as nine starting jobs on offense and seven on defense are already cemented — despite what the coaches say — the competition will be stiff at several key spots in the starting lineup.
Here is an educated guess at four key position battles to be waged during NY Giants OTAs, and training camp this summer, and who has the best chance to win them:
Nickel cornerback
Darnay Holmes, Aaron Robinson, Rodarius Williams
The NY Giants’ secondary might be the most improved position group on the roster, especially over the past two seasons, following the arrival of Pro Bowler James Bradberry last offseason and Adoree’ Jackson earlier this spring.
However, even as Bradberry and Jackson are entrenched on the outside with safeties Logan Ryan, Jabrill Peppers, and Xavier McKinney figuring to play key snaps — and at a high level, the starting nickel cornerback job remains very much up for grabs.
Darnay Holmes, chosen by the Giants in the fourth-round of the 2020 NFL Draft, got better as his rookie season went along. While quarterbacks produced a 91.2 quarterback rating when targeting him — per PFF, Holmes did intercept a pass, made nine run-stops and produced on sack as a rookie. Holmes’ physicality on the outside and coverage skills that seemed to get better as the season went along will likely put him with the first-team defense during practices this spring and summer.
However, the NY Giants have high hopes for third-round rookie, Aaron Robinson.
At UCF, Robinson showed flashes of being a dominant blitzer and a willingness to throw his weight around near the line of scrimmage against the run. Opponents emerged just 3.5 yards after the catch per reception against Robinson last season, according to Sports Info Solutions. Robinson versatility to play in the slot, outside, or even as a third safety should get him on the field early.