During their first season on the job with the NY Giants, Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll were strapped by questionable decisions from the Dave Gettleman era, forcing them to be wary of the moves they made in 2022.
While it led to some big wins via an improved coaching staff, Daniel Jones and Dexter Lawrence immediately coming to mind, contests against division rivals like the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles exploited some of the holes in the team’s roster. After a full offseason of moves with their fingerprints all over them, Schoen and Daboll’s vision is coming together, and that spells bad news for some members of the Giants who have been on the roster for a couple of seasons.
Alas, there are at least five athletes on New York’s roster who will need to boom instead of bust to remain with the team moving forward. Here's our look at five in particular who need to post strong 2023 campaigns:
5. Cornerback Darnay Holmes
A former fourth-round selection by the Gettleman front office, Darnay Holmes was looking like a mid-round gem for the embattled Giants general manager during his rookie season. However, while he’s shown promise at times, some bad penalties and lackluster pass coverage has stunted fans' confidence in Holmes.
While he was given a chance to prove himself under defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale last season, Holmes didn’t look the part in 2022. Now, with an influx of talent into the Giants secondary, the former UCLA defensive back may be on his last legs in New York.
Over the course of his NFL career thus far, Holmes has amassed 15 pass deflections and two interceptions. He’s best suited for either the nickel-corner role or to be a depth piece for New York, but injuries and a lack of talent have seen him grace the field more than expected.
If Holmes can’t put it all together and find a role on the 2023 Giants defense, his time in New York may finally be up. Flashes aren’t enough anymore- the Giants need consistent, solid play when he’s on the field this season.