New York Giants: Grading the defense and special teams – Spring 2019

Defensive Backs

Last season the team was decimated by injuries in the secondary, the players that the Giants trotted out their all played admirably but it was often apparent that they were overmatched and outclassed. An even when they did play well they were asked to hold up in coverage for far to long.

The Giants still have Janoris “Jack Rabbit” Jenkins who has lived up to his end of the deal since being signed by the Giants, he may not be perfect but he has always accepted the challenge when facing the other team’s number one receiver.

The Giants bring in a ton of youth to this position each player showing promise, this position received a C+ from me. However, the question mark comes in the form of promise for this unit, with young guys like Sam Beal, Deandre Baker, Julian Love, and others.

Each one of these players has the opportunity to step into the spotlight and deliver huge for the Giants, this position has the Talent to be competitive but they have to gel quickly and with purpose at their designated position.

Sam Beal has already been impressing since returning to the field and I believe that he will have the leg up on everyone after coming back healthy and having a year inside the Giants weight room and classroom. If he took advantage of his downtime while healing, he has the natural ability to shut things down opposite of Jenkins.

Baker brings a lot of confidence and swagger, which will serve him well in the league and especially in New York. If he can maintain that mindset and perform up to expectations he will prove the Giants were wise for trading back into the first round to get him.

Julian Love is a lot of NFL experts steal of the draft, picked later in the draft he brings the versatility to play every position on the secondary. It will be up to the Giants coaching staff to find where he best fits on this secondary.

I have a strange feeling before year-end we may see a starting cornerback rotation of Sam Beal on the outside with Baker opposite of him; and a combination of nickelback Grant Haley and Julian Love.

Jenkins will end up making a hesitant switch to free safety to allow him to be the ball hawk that he naturally is. (Just got chills thinking of NYPD reactivating the no-fly zone in Metlife.) If all things are equal this may be the best way to maximize the talent of everyone player that could start on the roster.

Position Grade: C+