5 NY Giants position battles Brian Daboll should already be thinking about

2. Dru Phillips vs. Darnay Holmes

One of the tougher decisions the Giants will have following the 2024 NFL Draft is who their slot cornerback will be, and the battle will be between third-rounder Dru Phillips and veteran CB Darnay Holmes.

The former Kentucky defensive back didn’t intercept any balls in college, but Phillips did show the Giants enough to bring him to New York with a premium selection. Scouts have raved over his acumen and athletic abilities, but whether that translates to shutting down NFL wide receivers remains to be seen for the third-round pick.

As for Holmes, he’s one of the only holdovers from the previous regime, and some expected him to be gone after last season. However, it’s evident Joe Schoen values his efforts, as they brought the former UCLA star back to the team over the offseason.

While Phillips will likely be given every opportunity to win the gig, Holmes will look to make it difficult on the rookie. He won’t go gently into a backup/special teams role, recognizing the opportunity placed ahead of him. Either way, the Giants need their young players to step up in the secondary. Phillips is likely earmarked for the position moving forward, but whether he wins the battle outright from the onset of his career remains unknown.