Cover 3: Biggest question heading into training camp

Matt Citak: How will the team’s young secondary perform? Let’s start at cornerback, where the Giants are relying on Deonte Banks to take a big step in his second season. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound corner was thrown right into the fire as a rookie, being tasked with guarding some of the league’s top wide receivers last season. He had the usual rookie growing pains at times, but overall, Banks put together a solid first season. His 84.7 passer rating against ranked 24^th out of 74 qualified cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus, while his fewest receptions over expected allowed of -6.7 ranked third among all cornerbacks (per Next Gen Stats).

“It’s always a big difference between year one and year two,” coach Brian Daboll said about Banks during OTAs. “Obviously he’s done it for a whole year in terms of how we do things here, learning some new things of what we’re putting in defensively, but he has the right mindset, he’s working extremely hard and trying to do as good as he can do.”

Cor’Dale Flott is currently in line to start opposite Banks on the outside, and while he’s shown flashes throughout his first two NFL seasons, he has yet to play more than 56 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in a season. McCloud is in a similar situation, as the fourth-year corner forced four turnovers last year despite playing just 28 percent of the Giants’ defensive snaps (along with 76 percent of special teams snaps). Rookie third-round pick Dru Phillips should also compete to be the starting slot corner. The two most veteran players among the cornerbacks are David Long Jr. and Tre Herndon, both of whom will have to fight for a spot on the roster.

Jalen Mills is the veteran of the group as he heads into his ninth NFL season, but other than that, none of the team’s other safeties have more than one season as a full-time player. Jason Pinnock played 95 percent of the team’s defensive snaps last year, the first time he’s topped 50 percent of snaps in a season, and put together his best overall campaign. Dane Belton had two interceptions and a fumble recovery last year while playing just 26 percent of the defensive snaps. While the Giants are high on second-round pick Tyler Nubin, the first-year safety knows he will have to prove it first.

While the secondary might not be the most experienced group in the league, they undoubtedly have some talented pieces. It will be up to defensive coordinator Shane Bowen to find the right mix of guys in the right spots that give the defense the best chance to succeed. The secondary should benefit from a talented pass rush up front, but it will be up to the young DBs to develop and hold their own this season against some strong opposing passing attacks.