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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
John Fennelly

The 33rd team: Giants must upgrade CB room

It’s been well documented this offseason that the New York Giants’ secondary is in flux and could be a concern this season after cutting ties with three veterans – cornerback James Bradberry and safeties Jabrill Peppers and Logan Ryan.

Many experts and pundits are questioning if the Giants have enough talent and experience to compete in a league where teams live and die by the pass.

“The Giants had a serviceable year from a cornerback perspective, ranking around the NFL average or better in many metrics,” writes Ethan Useloff of the website The 33rd Team. “However, losing James Bradberry, their top corner in 2021, will leave a hole in their position room. Elevated to the number one option now is Adoree’ Jackson, who had a strong season playing alongside Bradberry last year.”

Very true. The previous front office made a mess of the salary cap and Bradberry was one of the players they had to release in order to gain workable cap space.

The next assessment by Useloff appears to be an exercise in dot connecting.

“Across from him (Jackson) on the outside is projected to be Jarren Williams, who has recorded more than 20 coverage snaps in just two career games. The University of Albany product is unproven in the NFL thus far, playing in coverage in only five total games.

In the slot is expected to be Maurice Canady, but he has played in coverage for just six games since Week 17 of the 2019 season. After being drafted in 2016, Canady has appeared in coverage for more than half of the season just once, highlighting durability concerns. New York lacks top-end talent at the cornerback position, and its depth is similarly questionable.”

Neither Williams nor Canady is even guaranteed a roster spot at this time. They are just two names in a large group that general manager Joe Schoen has assembled to compete for jobs.

First off, the Giants announced that Williams will be moved to safety this summer – a group that has Xavier McKinney, Julian Love and rookie Dane Belton already earmarked for major snaps.

Canady has a lot of competition, too, in rookie Cor’Dale Flott, last year’s third-round pick Aaron Robinson, Rodarius Williams, Darnay Holmes and Michael Jacquet.

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