5 bold predictions for the NY Giants defense in 2023

The NY Giants had an immensely successful 2022 season despite having a not-so impressive defense at times. Big Blue's defense ranked 25th in yards allowed per game, 16th in passing yards allowed per game, 27th in rushing yards allowed per game, 18th in points per game, and 25th in takeaways.

Despite those poor numbers, the Giants were able to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale deserves a lot of credit for that. Despite being handed one of the least talented and experienced defenses in football, Martindale's defense forced a ton of timely stops.

Opponents converted third downs just 37.55 percent of the time against Big Blue last fall, the fifth-lowest opponent conversion rate in football. Martindale's blitz-heavy defense contributed heavily to that. His troops sacked opposing quarterbacks 41 times, the 13th most in the league.

Martindale's squad did that despite a plethora of injuries and despite playing without a quality CB2, ILB1, and ILB2. He has quality talent and a healthy defense heading in 2023, which is why expectations are sky-high. Here are five bold predictions for the NY defense this fall and winter:

5. Deonte Banks proves to be the CB1 of the future

On the Giants current depth chart, Adoree' Jackson is CB1 and Banks, the Giants 2023 first-round pick, is CB2. By the end of the season, Giants Nation will regard Banks as the best cornerback on the team.

There is very little not to like about Banks. The Maryland product is a fiery cornerback that talks a lot of trash and was one of the biggest risers in the pre-draft process. At the 2023 NFL Combine, Banks ran a blazing 4.35 40-yard dash, posted the third-best defensive back broad jump in NFL Combine history, and recorded a ridiculous 42-inch vertical.

The Giants defense plays extensive man-to-man coverage, an area in which Banks excels. Opposing quarterbacks completed just 43.3 percent of passes when targeting Banks in his final collegiate season. The absurdly athletic Giant was left on an island against Ohio State superstar Marvin Harrison Jr. in November, a player that will likely be a top-five pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and gave up just 53 yards (53 yards was the most Banks gave up in a 2022 game).

Playing alongside Jackson will significanly help ease Banks' transition to the NFL. While Jackson will likely be guarding opposing WR1s like Cedee Lamb, Terry McLaurin, AJ Brown, and Stefon Diggs, Banks will likely face WR2s like Brandin Cooks, Jahan Dotson, DeVonta Smith, and Gabe Davis. I wouldn't be shocked by midseason if Banks starts to receive WR1 assignments.

4. The Giants run-defense finishes in the top half in yards allowed

The Giants interior defensive line had a ton of talent in 2022, but zero depth. When Dexter Lawrence or Leonard Williams came off the field, opponents ran the ball down their backups throats. The Giants gave up the sixth most rushing yards per game last fall. This upcoming fall, the Giants defense will flip the switch and become an above-average unit in stopping the run.

After Williams and Lawrence on the depth chart this season will be veterans Rakeem Nunez-Roches and A'Shawn Robinson. Both players are veterans who were signed this spring to bolster the interior defensive line depth, something Giants GM Joe Schoen mentioned was needed.

Both Nunez-Roches and Robinson excel in run prevention. Behind them, the Giants plugged the biggest hole on the roster, inside linebacker, by signing Bobby Okereke to a four-year, $40 million contract.

Okereke was ranked by PFF as the 22nd best linebacker in football last fall, which represents a big upgrade from Jaylon Smith (ranked 60th) and Micah McFadden (ranked 77th). Okereke will be able to make phyiscal plays at the line of scrimmage Giants linebackers were unable to make last fall.

3. Leonard Williams has a 10+ sack season

The Giants gave Sexy Dexy a monstrous four-year, $90 million contract extension in early May. He is the face of the Giants defense. However, he may not be the most important player on the Giants defense. That honor goes to Leonard Williams.

After being traded to the Giants from the Jets in 2019, Williams has become the leader of the defensive unit. Williams has 21 sacks over the course of 53 games played with Big Blue. Now that Lawrence has became a superstar defensive lineman (PFF ranked him as the second best IDL in football), the pressure shifts back to Williams.

Lawrence will be seeing a ton of double teams this fall, which will mean Williams will have favorable one-on-one matchups. The Giants now have a secondary and linebacking corps that can hold their own, which will allow Williams more time to get to the quarterback. He posted 11.5 sacks in 2020 while playing on a much worse defense. He is primed for a double-digit sack season in '23.

2. Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari have Pro Bowl campaigns

The Giants have two young pass-rushers with insanely high ceilings for the first time since Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul suited up together. The only problem with Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari is health. But make no question about it, if they are on the field, they are insanely dangerous.

Ojulari set the Giants rookie sacks record in 2021. He played in just seven games due to multiple injuries in 2022, but recorded 5.5 sacks. When Ojulari is on the field, he is going to sack the opposing quarterback. As for Thibodeaux, he recorded the play of the Giants 2022 season.

That touchdown helped the Giants defeat Washington 20-12 in Week 15, a win that essentially secured the Giants postseason berth. The big-personality youngster drew high praise from his defensive coordinator this spring. On an episode of the Giants Huddle: Front Office Edition podcast, Martindale said this about 2022's fifth overall pick:

"First of all, I love the kid himself. I said earlier he has no ceiling, and I believe that because he can do whatever he puts his mind to."

Wink Martindale

These two are primed for a massive 2023.

1. Cor'Dale Flott solidifies himself as the starting slot corner

I am a massive Cor'Dale Flott fan. When the Giants drafted Flott in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, most fans had never heard of the LSU product. One year later, Flott, 21, is not only one of the NFL's youngest players, but he's primed to secure a starting job on the Giants defense.

Flott played sparingly in 2022, but flashed in spurts. The 6-1, 175-pound corner matched up against AJ Brown in the regular season finale, and held his own. Giants coach Brian Daboll was very impressed with the youngster.

The speed and athleticism of Flott jumps off the page. His competition for a starting slot this fall will be Darnay Holmes. Holmes is coming off a bit of a down year in '22. Big Blue can also save just under $3 million in cap space by releasing Holmes.

That money could allow Big Blue to bolster depth at certain positions on cut down day, and clear the way to let Flott play. If the Giants give this kid the runway, he will show off, just like he did against Brown in January.

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