The New York Giants were in terrible shape after the 2021 season on several fronts. They had a roster full of top-heavy salaries being paid to underperforming veterans.
Incoming general manager Joe Schoen vowed to make major changes, meaning some deep, painful cuts and a period of fiscal austerity.
Schoen did an admirable job shedding some egregious salaries and singing some useful veterans, especially along the offensive and defensive fronts. But is almost impossible to right such a listing ship in just one offseason. There is still plenty of work to be done. One unit that suffered the most from the overhaul was the secondary.
Schoen is going to rely on some unknowns and some inexperienced players to attempt to piece together what was once the defense’s top unit. Dan Duggan of The Athletic identified the secondary as the Giants’ primary concern this summer.
“It wasn’t possible for GM Joe Schoen to fill all of the Giants’ holes in his first offseason. But Schoen created holes in the secondary by releasing cornerback James Bradberry and safety Logan Ryan. The secondary is now a major concern. The Giants will be relying on 2021 third-round pick Aaron Robinson, who was drafted to play in the slot, to replace Bradberry. Julian Love, who has been a utilityman in his first three seasons, will be expected to take over for Ryan. New defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s man-coverage-heavy system puts a lot of pressure on the secondary. That could make for a long season if the unproven replacements don’t step up.”
Duggan didn’t mention that the Giants also chose not to re-sign safety Jabrill Peppers (he signed with New England) and that they drafted several defensive backs in the draft, such as Iowa safety Dane Belton and LSU corner CorDale Flott, two players they believe will hit the gourd running as rookies this year.
But truth be told, they are rolling the dice with corner Adoree’ Jackson, ascending safety Xavier McKinney and the above-mentioned group.
