Evaluating the New York Giants’ Cornerback Depth: Are They Adequately Prepared? One of my fundamental beliefs regarding NFL team structure is that having a robust lineup of skilled cornerbacks is crucial for success. The question arises: Do the New York Giants possess enough talent in this vital position?

General Manager Joe Schoen is actively addressing this need, having committed four draft picks—three of which are valued as Day 1 or Day 2 selections—to bolster the cornerback position. This strategic investment reflects the importance of developing a strong secondary for the team’s long-term success.

Current Cornerback Roster: Deonte Banks, Cor’Dale Flott, Dru Phillips, Adoree’ Jackson, Tre Hawkins III, Art Green

Draft History for Cornerbacks: Cor’Dale Flott (Round 3, No. 81, 2022); Deonte Banks (Round 1, No. 24, 2023); Tre Hawkins (Round 6, No. 209, 2023); Dru Phillips (Round 3, No. 70, 2024). This draft history illustrates the Giants’ commitment to enhancing their cornerback lineup.

Notable Free Agent Signings: None this season, unless we consider the decision to re-sign Adoree’ Jackson, which has been a critical move to maintain depth and experience.

Key Departures: The most significant loss has been James Bradberry, a former starter whose exit has left a noticeable gap in the lineup.

Building for Long-Term Success is a recurring theme in Schoen’s strategy. His approach to cornerback acquisitions has often been dictated by necessity while simultaneously focusing on future potential. This strategy has manifested in several key decisions.

• In his inaugural offseason, Schoen made the tough decision to part ways with starting cornerback James Bradberry, a move that was critical for alleviating the salary cap issues inherited from the previous management. While Bradberry had a strong 2022 season with the Philadelphia Eagles, his struggles in the previous year and current injury status have raised questions.
• To fill the void, Schoen signed veteran Fabian Moreau as a temporary solution in 2022. Although Moreau performed admirably during his time with the team, he was ultimately not retained, highlighting the need for sustainable talent.
• This year, Schoen took a cautious approach in re-signing veteran Adoree’ Jackson, hoping that his younger cornerbacks would step up and prove their worth in competitive situations.

Draft Insights and Missed Opportunities If you recall from ‘Hard Knocks’, Schoen and the Giants had their sights set on cornerbacks KoolAid McKinstry and Kamari Lassiter during the 2024 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, both players were selected just before the Giants’ pick at No. 47, with McKinstry going to the New Orleans Saints at No. 41 and Lassiter to the Houston Texans at No. 42. Both prospects have shown promise, validating the Giants’ interest and scouting efforts.

In the draft’s second round, the Giants opted for safety Tyler Nubin, who has played an impressive 99% of the team’s defensive snaps. Nubin appears to be a long-term solution for the safety position, reflecting the Giants’ strategy of building a strong defense.

Another notable addition was slot cornerback Dru Phillips, who is currently the second-youngest player on the roster, trailing only wide receiver Malik Nabers. Phillips has made a significant impact, earning recognition for his impressive performances, including a recent mention in the Round 1 re-draft by Yahoo Sports. He was also ranked as the 11th-best rookie by NFL.com in its midseason rankings, showcasing his potential to be a key player.

In light of these developments, one could argue that while missing out on a cornerback in Round 2 was disappointing, the Giants successfully identified two long-term solutions for their secondary in the subsequent picks.

It’s noteworthy that the Giants had three players ranked in the top 25 of the aforementioned rookie rankings. This speaks volumes about their draft strategy and the potential for future growth within their roster.

Cor’Dale Flott, now in his third year, has been somewhat of an enigma as an outside cornerback. He has shown moderate success, recording four passes defended and a passer rating of 101.1 against him. Despite being in his third season, the only Giants younger than the 23-year-old Flott are Nabers, Phillips, and Jalin Hyatt, indicating the youth movement within the team.

Looking ahead, the extent to which the Giants need to invest in cornerback talent in upcoming offseasons will largely depend on the development of Banks. The former Maryland Terrapin displayed potential during the previous season, often matching up against the opposing team’s top receiver.

However, this season has posed challenges for Banks as he adjusts to a new defensive scheme. He has been tasked with covering No. 1 receivers full-time, which has proven to be a steep learning curve. His recent struggles have led to his benching during part of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, raising concerns that need to be addressed moving forward.

“We’re not giving up on Tae,” GM Joe Schoen stated during his bye week interview. “He possesses the physical attributes needed to compete. He has shown the ability to match up against elite receivers. Playing cornerback is challenging; you’re often in transition, facing some of the best athletes in the world. There will be catches made against you, but he has been in solid position for many of them.

“We’re committed to Tae. He’s dedicated and eager to improve. I still believe he has a bright future ahead in this league.”

The Future of the Giants’ Cornerback Position: Strategic Investments Required

This is a critical position where the Giants must continue to allocate resources. Adoree’ Jackson has provided limited contributions as a veteran backup, indicating that there is a need for improvement and potential upgrades. While Flott has performed adequately, his size—175 pounds—raises concerns for an outside cornerback. Finding a suitable upgrade could allow Flott to transition into a valuable depth player both in the slot and on the outside.

Ultimately, how heavily the Giants need to invest in this position hinges on whether Banks matures into a reliable contributor and proves he can handle the challenges posed by the league’s premier receivers.