New York Giants: Five Takeaways From First Official Depth Chart
Safety Tandem
Jun 16, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants safety Landon Collins (21) participates in practice during minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Ryan-USA TODAY Sports
Right up there with the offensive line in offseason talks is what the Giants safety position would look like. Unlike the offensive line unit though, where poor luck and injuries have undone the Giants, the safety position is essentially a self-inflicted wound. They elected not to retain any of the veterans that started for them last season, headlined by Antrel Rolle, a leader on the defense for the past five seasons.
The Giants instead swung for the fences in free agency, hoping to land New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty. Unfortunately for the Giants, they were unable to convince Vereen’s teammate to leave New England like he did, as he reupped with the Patriots. That left the Giants with a huge void at safety that they will fill within. Who will get the first crack at starting?
That honor will go to 2015 second round pick Landon Collins and 2014 sixth round pick Bennett Jackson. Landon is a highly touted prospect from Alabama that the Giants were rumored to be interested in with their ninth overall pick; when he slipped into the second round they pounced, trading up with the Tennessee Titans to land him. Jackson missed his rookie season because of injuries, but is also converting from cornerback. That he is learning a new position should be all you need to know about just how open a competition this is, as all the players have a shot at starting.
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At this time, it seems Collins is the closest thing to a lock for playing time the Giants have on their roster at safety. It is scary that a rookie second round pick is where the Giants have the most confidence in, but that is where they stand. This will be a position to keep an eye on all summer as things are sure to change not only week to week, but practice to practice.
All of the players the Giants have at their disposal have things to like, but they also have shortcomings and limitations as well. Jackson was unable to practice over the weekend because of a quad issue, so the first team may be different by the time these teams take the field Friday. Who will take advantage of the opportunity and seize the opportunity for playing time at safety much like Larry Donnell did in a muddle tight end situation last season? Speaking of Larry Donnell…
Next: Donnell In The Doghouse?