There’s been a lot of discussion surrounding what the New York Giants’ defense will look like in 2020 under new defensive coordinator, Patrick Graham.
Looking at Graham’s history as a coordinator, which encompasses just one season — last year in Miami with the Dolphins under Brian Flores — it’s very likely the Giants will mirror much of that strategy and style, which was a 3-4 base alignment.
“In 2019, the Giants only spent 19 percent of defensive snaps in a base 3-4 formation, and 62 percent of plays in nickel, according to Sports Info Solutions. Similarly to the Giants, Graham’s Dolphins were also a 3-4 base, but they spent significantly more time in that front,” writes NJ.com’s Matt Lombardo. “The Dolphins were in the base defense 31 percent of the time, and when adding extra defensive backs disguised their coverages by spending 31 percent of plays in nickel and 31 percent of plays in dime.”
The Giants have a lot of young depth in the secondary and could be adding more in this month’s NFL Draft.
The starters at the corners are currently free-agent addition James Bradberry and DeAndre Baker, a first-round pick last year. Sam Beal, Corey Ballentine and Grant Haley provide the primary depth.
At safety, Jabrill Peppers is still looking for a partner. Julian Love, a fourth-round pick in last year’s draft, UDFA Mark McLaurin, Sean Chandler and XFLer Dravon Askew-Henry are among the options.
At linebacker, the Giants will go with free agent Blake Martinez and either David Mayo or Ryan Connelly in the middle, flanked by Lorenzo Carter and another free agent, Kyler Fackrell, on the outside.
Should the Giants draft Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons, they will have even more flexibility, as he can be used as 3-4 linebacker or as a defensive back.
If the Giants make Simmons the No. 4 overall selection in the draft, it basically seals the deal when it comes to which alignment the Giants will line up in on defense this season.