4 reasons the NY Giants defense can become elite this season

3. The Giants secondary unit taking the next step this season

Immediately following free agency, one question mark for the Giants was how the Giants' secondary would perform without veteran safety McKinney. The 2020 No. 36 overall pick quickly became a fan favorite in New York; however, he left this offseason to join the Green Bay Packers on a well-deserved four-year, $67 million contract. While the news frustrated many Big Blue fans, the Giants made up for it in the second round of this year's NFL Draft by selecting Nubin out of Minnesota.

Nubin was arguably the best safety in this year's draft class. He will play a crucial role as he immediately steps into the Giants' starting strong safety role, concentrating on stopping the run and covering the tight end. Nubin had a successful collegiate career with Minnesota, becoming the program's leader in career interceptions with 13.

Looking at the right cornerback position, the Giants' 2023 first-round pick Banks is expected to build on his promising rookie season. Last year, the former Maryland Terrapin recorded 64 total tackles, 11 pass deflections, two interceptions, and two tackles for a loss. With the Giants' solid foundation, Banks is poised for a breakout season in his second year in the league.

The Giants decided not to retain veteran Adoree' Jackson, which opens the door for Flott at the left cornerback position. The third-year defensive back has mainly played the slot since joining the Giants but should excel with more opportunities this season after an impressive sophomore campaign.

The G-Men also drafted Kentucky cornerback Dru Phillips this year, so we can expect the rookie to get opportunities, and recently signed free agent veteran CB Tre Herndon. It will be interesting to see if the team continues to improve its secondary depth with the improved salary cap, thanks to Darren Waller's retirement.