Giants’ Holes in Secondary Could Doom Improved Defensive Unit

The talk in NFL circles about the New York Giants has been extremely negative. Training camp observers and analysts from several NFL news sites predict the G-Men could be one of the worst teams in the NFL. Before the season has even begun, pundits are already blaming quarterback Daniel Jones for the team’s expected poor play. An average of the top five mainstream media polls predicts the Giants will be the 28th-ranked team in the league. Plus, Las Vegas agrees with these prognosticators. Big Blue’s total number of wins for the year currently stands at 6.5. If the Giants are going to prove their detractors wrong, the defense must lead the way. But while NT Dexter Lawrence, newly-arrived DE Brian Burns, and LB Kayvon Thibodeaux can wreak havoc on opponents’ offensive lines, the holes in their Giants’ defensive secondary could prove the haters right.

Giants’ Holes in Secondary Could Doom Improved Defensive Unit

Better Giants Pash Rush, But Defensive Secondary Lacks Depth 

Under new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, the Giants’ revamped pass rush appears improved, but it hasn’t made an impact on the field yet. In Week 2 against the Houston Texans, quarterback C.J. Stroud went 7-10 for 88 yards before the Texans’ second-stringers took over. Unfortunately, the performance of the Giants secondary has been more concerning. 

A lot is expected of second-year cornerback Deonte Banks and some NFL analysts agree – Banks could be a stud. Peter Schrager of Good Morning Football on the NFL Network selected Tre Banks as one of his 2024 breakout stars. He said, “The Giants love this dude. Their No. 1 corner, it’s Year 2. He’s going up against guys like A.J. Brown, Terry McLaurin, [and] CeeDee Lamb this season, at least we think, and I think Deonte Banks is ready for that action… He’s entering Year No. 2, I think he is a breakout stud.” But the real concern is the corner opposite Banks and the rest of the secondary. 

SNY’s NFL insider Connor Hughes reported on the Giants’ secondary plans after their poor showing against the New York Jets in joint practices during the preseason. Cor’Dale Flott has struggled, and Nick McCloud hasn’t been much better. The Giants’ internal options at RCB could be rookie Tru Phillps, second-year cornerback Tre Hawkins, or Breon Borders. That said, the Giants are in desperate need of a reliable veteran cornerback across from Tre Banks. 

Secondary Help on the Way, Not Really 

The Giants are expected to actively check the waiver wire to add to their defensive backfield. Unfortunately, Pro Bowl corner Stephon Gilmore signed a one-year contract worth $10 million with the Minnesota Vikings. The deal was announced on August 19. Ironically, the Vikings are the Giants’ Week 1 opponent.

The improved pass rush could become a non-factor for Big Blue if receivers are wide-open across patterns. Despite the changes in the unit with Burns and more active linebackers, the Giants defense is expected to struggle. Anthony DiBona of Pro Football Network, in his new ranking of every team’s defense ahead of the 2024 season, put the Giants at No. 20 for one specific reason. The unproven secondary, especially at right cornerback. 

The options for a veteran corner heading into the regular season are limited, so Big Blue may need to fix their cornerback issues from within. Bowen and Daboll will need to coach up their young cornerbacks to avoid the Giants’ defensive secondary performing worse than expected. 

Main Photo: [Lucas Boland] – USA Today Sports