4 biggest NY Giants concerns on defense with Week 1 almost here

With the regular season approaching, the NY Giants recently finalized the 53-man roster and are wrapping up game plans ahead of the upcoming Week 1 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Joe Schoen and Co. are looking to bounce back after finishing a disappointing 2023 campaign with a 6-11 record.

Brian Daboll's squad finished 1-2 in the NFL preseason. There were some positive signs, but there were also reasons for concern on the defensive end, especially when the starters took the field for the first few possessions in a loss against the Houston Texans. These four concerns could prove to be the downfall of the Giants' defense in 2024:

The secondary’s lack of in-game experience

It is not often that you see a defensive backs room crowded with strictly youngsters, but that is exactly the case in East Rutherford. None of NY's presumed starters in the secondary (Deonte Banks, Cor'Dale Flott, Dru Phillips, Tyler Nubin, and Jason Pinnock) are over 25 years old, and the five players have combined for 51 NFL starts. There is no veteran in the pack to mentor them despite fans pushing the front office to pursue multiple experienced corners in free agency.

The Giants take on the Vikings on Sept. 8. While Sam Darnold is not the most intimidating quarterback option, he has quite the supporting cast. Justin Jefferson, arguably the NFL’s best wide receiver, and young star Jordan Addison could wreak havoc on NY’s secondary if its lack of experience becomes evident during the game.

Questionable run defense and missed tackles

To no one's surprise, NY had the fourth-worst rushing defense in the NFL last year. There is room for optimism with superstar interior lineman Dexter Lawrence crowding the middle and former Carolina Panthers EDGE Brian Burns joining the trenches. Still, the biggest concern lies within the players behind the defensive line — an extremely volatile linebacker unit.

Aside from Bobby Okereke, who is one of the league's most savvy veterans, the Giants lack depth and talent at the inside linebacker position. Pro Football Focus ranked starting inside linebacker Micah McFadden dead last with an atrocious 20.7 percent missed tackle rate last season. Numbers like that simply can't continue if the Giants expect to be any better on the defensive end this year. UDFA Dyontae Johnson showed promise in the preseason, but fans might need to hold their breath when opposing running backs get past the defensive line.

Thin cornerback depth behind Deonte Banks

Not only is the defensive backs room young, but frankly, it is the worst position group on the defense. Aside from Banks, who is gushing with potential, none of the Giants' corners have proven they are even league-average players. Flott has not performed like a CB2 should, and Tre Hawkins III and Nick McCloud were underwhelming in the preseason.

The coaching staff is placing faith in third-round pick Phillips to play at a high level in the slot. However, it is unrealistic to expect him to be a stud against talented NFC East wideouts from the jump. Certain players will stand out above others in the first few weeks of the campaign, but there is a huge question mark in the secondary after you look past Banks.

The transition from Wink Martindale’s scheme to Shane Bowen’s

Wink Martindale is out as defensive coordinator and former Tennessee Titans DC Shane Bowen is the new guy in town. Some Giants fans are ecstatic that the blitz-heavy Martindale is gone, but aside from a base 3-4 scheme, the two coaches share practically nothing in common. There will be a learning curve for some guys in Bowen's zone-heavy approach.

These are professional players who know how to adjust to situations accordingly. However, it is the only scheme defensive starters like Kayvon Thibodeaux and Micah McFadden have known since they got to the NFL. The team has had plenty of time to become accustomed to Bowen’s scheme, but it is still a massive change that could result in some growing pains early in the season.