The New York Giants are in trouble at the cornerback position. With second year cornerback Deandre Baker caught up in legal issues since May and Sam Beal choosing to opt-out of the 2020 season, there is an open spot to start alongside James Bradberry. Here is a breakdown of the New York Giants cornerback position.
New York Giants Cornerback Breakdown
Julian Love
Originally drafted as a cornerback out of Notre Dame, Julian Love will switch between cornerback and safety, as stated by Joe Judge earlier in the off-season.
“Julian has a great skill set. He can play corner, he can play in the slot and he can play back deep as a safety. We are going to use him as we need by each game plan,” Judge told reporters during a conference call. “He may be an every-down safety, he may be an-every down corner.”
Experience may be a factor in Love taking on the starting CB2 role. But, like Judge said, the game-by-game situation will determine how the Giants utilize Love’s skillset.
Jabrill Peppers
Another player the Giants will use in multiple positions, Jabrill Peppers will most certainly get reps at corner this season. As with Love, Judge said that where Peppers will line up will be determined each game.
“With his skill set, he’s going to factor into a lot of sub packages,” head coach Joe Judge told reporters on a video conference call.
“Traditionally you’ve seen him play a lot in the box in different schemes and roles. He has that body type that so fits that, but he’s going to have to be able to play the deep part of the field as well as the box for us.”
Peppers has been training with Brian Walker of DB Academy this off-season, cross-training to learn the corner position as well as to become a better safety. Just like Love, Peppers has all the tools to play multiple positions on this new defense, including cornerback.
“I’ll play whatever the team needs me to play,” Peppers said. With the way things are looking right now, Peppers may very well spend some time at cornerback this season.
Darnay Holmes
The high-energy ballhawk from UCLA, Darnay Holmes would be a reach to start alongside Bradberry come Week 1. With that being said, do not be surprised to see Holmes become a starter later on in the season.
The 5’10 rookie brings an impressive resume, which includes leading the Bruins in interceptions every season he played there. While Holmes may not start right away, he is definitely putting in the work to one day earn that starting CB2 role, and has been training with Jabrill Peppers this off-season.
Holmes has been around his new Giants teammates during their extended hiatus, and he is looking to become better and one day start for this new, young Giants defense.
Last Word
The problem the Giants have at the cornerback position is not really depth, it is lack of experience. Big Blue signed UDFA Prince Smith earlier this week after he was released by the Philadelphia Eagles, adding another corner into the mix. Players like Cory Ballentine, Darnay Holmes and Dravon Askew-Henry, who played in the XFL, will have to show something in the next month if they want to earn significant playing time come September 14.
If the Giants and Ross Cockrell came to an agreement, there would be no issue regarding the CB2 spot, as Cockrell and Bradberry played together last season with the Carolina Panthers.
Whatever the Giants decide to do, they need to act quick, as their first game of the season is just under one month away.
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