3 NY Giants position battles that will shape training camp, 2021 season
The NY Giants added some marquee talent on both sides of the ball, which could limit competition during training camp, but a few battles for starting jobs remain
The NY Giants were among the NFL’s biggest spenders during free agency, and added a few players with the potential to play immediately during the NFL Draft, resulting in what has the potential to be a playoff caliber roster.
Training camp always packs plenty of intrigue, and this summer there might be a few battles for starting jobs up for grabs as the talent level rose almost across the board on the Giants‘ roster.
Here’s a look at three position battles to watch during NY Giants training camp, that just might shape the summer and the 2021 NFL season:
Nickel cornerback
The secondary might be the most improved position on the NY Giants’ roster, and over the past two offseasons has gone from a liability to one of New York’s strengths.
That’s what happens with the additions of Pro Bowler James Bradberry and Adoree’ Jackson over the past two years, along with investing significant resources via the NFL Draft to acquire the likes of Aaron Robinson, Darnay Holmes, Xavier McKinney, and Julian Love over the past two years.
Bradberry and Jackson are set starters at the perimeter, but the competition for the starting nickel job could be fierce during training camp this summer.
Holmes would appear to be the favorite, after holding opponents to just 1.31 yards per target, according to Pro Football Focus and producing 30 total tackles with five pass breakups in 12 games, including five starts.
Robinson arrives as a third-round pick out of UCF with plenty of upside, whom the NY Giants would like to get on the field. Likewise, while the NY Giants will likely spend significant time with three safeties on the field, the logjam of snaps allocated to Jabrill Peppers and Logan Ryan could push McKinney into the slot.
Regardless of who emerges as the starting nickel, the NY Giants’ sudden infusion of depth is a tremendous plus for coordinator Patrick Graham.
This could prove to be the most hotly contested position battle during training camp.