New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman has made major changes to the team’s roster (like it or not) since his arrival at the end of the 2017 season. Every unit — every position — has undergone some type of reconstruction, but no unit has experienced a greater overhaul than the secondary.
Gettleman has used both free agency and the draft to reform a unit that has been one of the NFL’s most yielding and forgiving the past several seasons.
Here’s a quick look at what to expect this summer at training camp.
Cornerback
Gettleman reached into free agency and grabbed “young veteran” James Bradberry, a player he drafted during his days as GM in Carolina, signing him to a three-year, $43.5 million deal. He will be a starter on the outside. The 26-year-old Bradberry is considered one of the best all-around corners in the NFL.
Who will start across from Bradberry? Good question. It was thought to be DeAndre Baker, who the Giants have their fingers crossed could mature into a solid cover corner after a rough rookie season. But he’s still dealing with his legal problems in Florida. Even if that situation pans out, you can’t unring a bell. Baker could still be suspended and the Giants could see him as expendable.
Baker is still going to have to compete with a fairly large field of contenders for the job this summer as it is. Sam Beal, Corey Ballentine, Darnay Holmes, Chris Williamson and veteran Montre Hartage are all aiming for playing time and will give Baker a good run for his money.
Safety
Jabrill Peppers is fully recovered from his back fracture and is poised to thrive in Patrick Graham’s defense this year. He’ll be one starter. The other starter will likely be this year’s second round draft pick, Xavier McKinney, a former star at Alabama who many pundits felt should have been a first round pick.
If all goes well, McKinney and Peppers form a galvanizing bond at safety where the Giants won’t have to revisit the position for several years.
There are others in the mix, however. Julian Love was a forth round steal in last year’s draft our of Notre Dame and could find himself in line for playing time. The Giants signed Dravon Askew-Henry from the XFL as a free agent and also Jaquarius Landrews of Mississippi State as a UDFA.
Slot/Nickel
The Giants could go in so many different directions here. Any one of the players mentioned above could be used in the roles. Several players jump out, however. Holmes, the rookie out of UCLA could be the favorite over incumbent Grant Haley. Ballentine and Williamson may also figure into the equation as well as Beal.
Don’t discount an extra safety out there, either. Love is going to warrant playing time as well as Askew-Henry, Sean Chandler and Hartage. This is what training camp is for.
All in all, it appears the Giants have some pleasant problems in their secondary for once.
