Here’s what the NY Giants’ ideal secondary will be in 2021
Going into the 2021 season, the NY Giants have a top 10 secondary in the league, thanks to some big offseason spending the past two years and key additions through the NFL Draft.
This past season, the NY Giants finished ninth in points, 12th in yards allowed in the league, and ranked fifth in passing touchdowns allowed.
The Giants added Titans’ CB Adoree’ Jackson in free agency. He signed a three-year, $39 million contract. New York also added UCF CB Aaron Robinson, and Oklahoma St. DB Rodarius in the draft.
Also, having Patrick Graham as your defensive coordinator is a plus.
Here’s a look at the NY Giants’ ideal secondary heading into this upcoming season:
Starting cornerbacks
CB1: James Bradberry
CB2: Adoree’ Jackson
Slot: Darnay Holmes/Aaron Robinson
Bradberry was arguably one of the best cornerbacks in the league last year, and since 2018, Jackson has the fourth highest coverage grade when lined up outside. Holmes and Robinson will have to compete in training camp for that number one slot role, but Holmes did not allow allow a touchdown in coverage during his rookie season. Robinson is physical and should see some playing time.
This group of cornerbacks is definitely intriguing on paper and will be exciting to watch this season.
Starting safeties
S: Logan Ryan
S: Jabrill Peppers
S: Xavier McKinney
Ryan brings leadership to this young group of defensive backs. He can easily move into the box and make plays. Peppers is aggressive and last year he set a career high in tackles with 91, eight tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, and an interception. Although McKinney didn’t play much his first season due to an injury, he has a lot of potential. In the last game of the season against the Dallas Cowboys, he had a game-winning interception.
It’s nice to have a group like these guys that are true leaders and want to win. These starting safeties will be fun to watch with Coach Graham again.
Keys to raised expectations
Depth: Julian Love, Isaac Yiadom, Sam Beal, Rodarius Williams
Logan Ryan told reporters earlier this spring that he’s reached back into the past, to try to lead the NY Giants’ secondary into a brighter future in 2021.
"“I always look at last year’s statistics,” Ryan told reporters. “Like broad, who was the top secondary, is it the Rams, what are some of the numbers that they put up, what are some of the franchise numbers, the best Giants secondaries, who are those players and I reached out personally this year to Antrel Rolle, Jason Sehorn, and Corey Webster”, he said. “I said, ‘Hey, I want to pick your brain and be great like you. I respect what you have done in the past, can you give me anything.”"
Former NFL WR Yo Murphy trains players, including Ryan. Before this past mandatory minicamp, eight of the Giants DB’s got together in Florida.
Murphy thinks Ryan’s move to bring his teammates together is going to pay off for the Giants in the long run.
Murphy also adds, “You can tell they were a team.” Building as a unit was Ryan’s primary goal in bringing everyone together.