It’s no surprise when we see the New York Giants defense ranked low in league power polls. So, in reading the latest poll from our sister site Touchdown Wire placing the Giants 26th in the league, it was par for the course.
The Giants knew their defense stunk last year and that is why general manager Dave Gettleman made the trade for defensive lineman Leonard Williams, such at it was, and then signed several key free agents after the season (Blake Martinez, James Bradberry, Kyler Fackrell, Austin Johnson) and used seven of his ten picks in this year’s draft to bolster and replenish the defense.
They still haven’t added a top-tier pass rusher however, and that is why many experts are not sold on the changes.
In 2019, Big Blue’s pass defense started out bad, and got worse over time — the Giants finished 32nd in Football Outsiders’ opponent-adjusted metrics in the second half of the season, and their secondary gave up 22 touchdowns while picking off just three passes. Rookie cornerback Deandre Baker was the primary issue, as he allowed eight touchdowns with no interceptions, and a 130.9 passer rating allowed. Baker’s current legal issues could have him on the outs with the team over time. The good news comes in the form of James Bradberry, the former Panthers cornerback who signed a three-year, $45 million contract to be the fulcrum of that secondary, and has the talent to do it, and second-round defender Xavier McKinney from Alabama. The Giants’ run defense was a strength, though there’s still a clear need for pass rush assistance.
DeAndre Bakers’ troubles only added to the Giants’ poor pass defense. With no real pass rush, they needed to have a lock-down secondary, but instead they were terrible.
Additions to the back seven or eight in the form of linebackers and defensive backs such as rookies Darnay Holmes and Chris Williamson should help them be a more athletic and competitive group this year.
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