Reviewing the NY Giants rookies after the first quarter of the 2022 season
CB Cor’Dale Flott (Round 3, No. 81 overall)
Cor’Dale Flott may not have had the best start to his career with the NY Giants. However, in similar fashion to Ezeudu, he likely needs more time to develop before being thrown into the action like he has been thus far.
Flott has appeared in three of the NY Giants first four games, playing in only 32 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. In his time played, Flott has racked up five combined tackles, while allowing five receptions on six targets for 65 yards and one TD. Not a good start for the 21 year old at all.
Coming out of college, Flott was seen as a slot corner with high upside in zone coverage. This has not been the situation he has been thrown into so far, making it even more difficult to determine how good he could be. To keep it simple, Flott is a young, mid-round draft pick who has not really been utilized properly. There is still reason to be optimistic about Flott’s potential.
TE Daniel Bellinger (Round 4, No. 112 overall)
This is probably the best pick made by Schoen so far in terms of talent and position drafted. Daniel Bellinger has been the most consistent rookie on the team and he was selected in the fourth round. Throughout the first four games, Bellinger has caught eight passes for 79 yards and a TD.
At San Diego State University, Bellinger was seen as a great blocker with upside as a receiver, and thus far, he has looked even better than some would have thought. With the NY Giants receiving core looking very poor this season, it was very crucial that the team finally got themselves a consistent pass catcher at TE. Only four games in it seems as if the Giants may have that in the form of Bellinger. This kid has serious potential.
DB Dane Belton (Round 4, No. 114 overall)
After the NY Giants released veteran safety Logan Ryan, it was unknown as to whether or not they would replace the veteran, or role with Julian Love. However, it seems as if they have sort of done both.
Not only has Love played quite well thus far, but fourth-round rookie Dane Belton has seen a solid amount of snaps thus far. In four games, Belton has racked up 11 combined tackles, two fumble recoveries, and a tackle for loss. In addition to this, Belton has allowed four receptions on eight targets for 48 yards.
The biggest issue with Love as a player is his ability in coverage. While he is great against the run and as a tackler, he has moments where he really struggles against the pass. When the NY Giants drafted Belton, it seemed as if they found Love’s counterpart to play opposite of Xavier McKinney.
While Belton’s coverage may not be as good as some may hope, it has been pretty solid, which is very promising. If he can round out his game and become more consistent, he could quickly become a crucial part of this young NY Giants defense.