4 NY Giants players barely hanging on to a roster spot
• There are some tough decisions on the way for GM Joe Schoen
• Some surprises are on the way for the Big Blue offense and defense
By Lior Lampert
1. NY Giants cornerback Darnay Holmes
Another play who survived the transfer of power in the front office once Gettleman was relieved of his duties, Darnay Holmes needs to turn things around quickly if he wants to remain on the roster. Holmes was a fourth-round pick in 2020 out of UCLA and was expected to be the starting nickel corner of the future for the Giants. However, Holmes has not been able to hold his own on the field when given the opportunity.
He’s struggled to the point that he’s been running with the second-team defense throughout training camp while the team has moved Adoree’ Jackson inside to defend the slot. Jackson’s move to the slot has enabled the team to start their two rookie cornerbacks, first-round pick Deonte Banks and sixth-round camp standout Tre Hawkins, on the outside.
If the G-Men opting to move their most established outside corner to the slot and giving a sixth-round rookie first-team reps over Holmes wasn’t enough of an indication that he is a cut candidate, NFL insider Ian Rapoport has reported that the team worked out free agent cornerback Will Jackson.
With defensive coordinator Wink Martindale recently saying that Banks, Jackson, and Hawkins are Big Blue’s three best cornerbacks, the writing is on the wall for Holmes. It won't be a surprise to see him released.
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