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6 Giants Defenders on Thin Ice After Shane Bowen Hiring

The Giants hiring Shane Bowen as defensive coordinator could lead to some big shakeups.

By Jason Schandl

Dec 31, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants safety Dane Belton (24) returns an
Dec 31, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants safety Dane Belton (24) returns an / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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3. Jordon Riley

The "starter" caveat I mentioned for Banks is important. Because Jordon Riley takes the crown for the worst-performing Giants defender that is still under contract for 2024.

As another guy heading into his second season, I do expect him to at least make it to offseason workouts so Bowen can see for himself how Riley plays. And maybe he surprises us by showing some big improvements. But so far, the way Riley plays isn't going to look any better to Bowen in person.

As a 325-pound interior defensive lineman, you'd expect Riley to offer, at the very least, some run defense abilities. But as a rookie he was completely ineffective in his limited opportunities, with run defense being maybe his biggest area of struggle.

PFF actually graded him out as the team's worst run defender (32.3) for the season on the 75-snap sample of run defense we saw. It's not like he had shown much in the preseason either, having earned just a 51.9 overall grade in that action.

Once again: Bowen didn't draft Riley. He's not going to care about the potential Martindale saw in the former Oregon Duck.

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