The New York Giants officially locked up their first two major coordinator hires of the John Harbaugh era. After agreeing to terms with Chris Horton as special teams coordinator, Harbaugh brought in former Baltimore Ravens assistant and Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson as his first Big Blue DC.
While some fans may groan at the idea of hiring yet another failed Titans defensive coordinator after the failure that was the Shane Bowen experiment, Wilson does have experience as a defensive backs coach under Harbaugh, and he was far from the biggest problem in Tennessee.
These four players, who played under Wilson in either Tennessee or Baltimore, might be in his crosshairs as he tries to build an even better roster in New York.
3 free agents who could follow Dennard Wilson to Giants
3. DT Sebastian Joseph-Day
With Dexter Lawrence taking a step back from dominant All-Pro to just a solid defensive tackle last season, the need for depth behind him is much bigger than it was in past seasons. Joseph-Day, who also has experience with Sean McVay's Rams, could be that perfect rock-solid veteran.
Joseph-Day is one of a handful of Titans players who managed to have their best career years under Wilson. While he benefitted from playing next to Jeffery Simmons in Tennessee, SJD will have the good fortune to suit up next to Lawrence if he follows Wilson to New York.
2. EDGE Arden Key
Key is not someone that should be a starting edge rusher for a team with playoff hopes, but he has piled up between four and seven sacks every year for the last five campaigns in a row. As far as bench depth goes behind Abdul Carter and Brian Burns, the Giants could do much worse than him.
Key has made some major strides in the right direction as a run-stuffer, which could make him even more appealing to a Giants team that took some steps back in that area. Key already knows Wilson's scheme, which could help ease the transition for him.
1. S Geno Stone
All signs point to Stone, who signed a two-year contract a few offseasons ago, eventually getting cut loose by the Cincinnati Bengals after what was an absolute mess of a campaign. Stone ranked 81st out of 98 qualified safeties in PFF's eyes, making him a complete rehabilitation project.
However, under Wilson's watch in 2023, Stone picked off seven passes. With six more picks generated in two seasons with the Bengals, Wilson might be able to get him back on track as he figures out how to improve his tackling in open space.