Nick Shook of NFL.com recently listed his “unsung heroes” for each NFL team for the 2020 season. For the New York Giants, Shook somehow selected cornerback James Bradberry, who was inconspicuously signed to a three-year, $43.5 million free agent deal last March and was named to the Pro Bowl last month.
The first of two NFC East cornerbacks on this list is Bradberry, who finished as the 13th-best wide corner in targeted EPA at -6.1. Bradberry also posted a targeted completion percentage allowed below expectation of -5.1, and tied for second in the entire league in passes defensed with 18. Only stellar Dolphins corner Xavien Howard had more than Bradberry, who also added three interceptions to his ledger in 2020 and finished with a ballhawk rate north of 21 percent. That three-year, $43.5 million deal the Giants signed Bradberry to in 2020 looks like a pretty good idea right about now.
Bradberry is far from unsung. Heading into the 2021 season, he will be the Giants’ highest-paid player and one of their leaders on defense.
If Shook really wanted to list the unsung heroes of this Giants team he should have looked elsewhere as there were better candidates who fit that description.
On offense, he could have gone with running back Wayne Gallman, who, filling in for the injured Saquon Barkley, led the Giants in rushing with 682 yards and scored six touchdowns. Led by Gallman, the Giants’ rushing attack gained over 100 yards in eight of the nine games played between Weeks 4 and 13.
On defense, veteran safety Logan Ryan, signed right before the season because of the thinning ranks the Giants had endured last summer, had a Pro Bowl-caliber season himself at safety. Ryan finished second on the team in tackles (94), forced three fumbles and was so impressive the Giants inked him to a three-year, $31 million extension late in the season.
On special teams. veteran kicker Graham Gano, another free agent pickup, had one of his best seasons. Gano broke the franchise record for consecutive field goals made and most successful 50-yard attempts made in a single season.
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