Big Blue View
New York looking for more difference-making plays from the back of their defense
The New York Giants did not received the playmaking from their safeties that they hoped for in 2024. Tyler Nubin was good in his rookie season, but not dynamic. Jason Pinnock could not match his 2023 success. The depth behind them was middling.
Will the Giants be better or worse at safety in 2025?
Key additions: Jevon Holland
Key losses: Jason Pinnock
The roster
Dane Belton, Jevon Holland, Anthony Johnson Jr., Raheem Layne, Tyler Nubin, Makari Paige
Two reasons.
First, Jevon Holland is in and Pinnock is out.
A full-time starter for the first time in 2023, Pinnock had an excellent season with Wink Martindale as defensive coordinator. Pinnock was used heavily as a blitzer and extra run defender in 2023. He did not have nearly as much impact playing for Shane Bowen in 2024.
Pinnock left in free agency, signing with the San Francisco 49ers. The Giants replaced him in free agency by signing Holland, a clear upgrade.
The 25-year-old Holland was a second-round pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2021. He has 57 starts in 60 career regular-season games. In 2024, he had career-bests in completion percentage allowed (54.2%) and passer rating against (89.0).
Holland has something to prove after signing a three-year, $45.3 million contract with $27.4 million guaranteed with the Giants.
Holland’s play was considered “inconsistent” with Miami. After intercepting 2 passes and having 10 passes defensed as a rookie, he had only 3 interceptions and 15 passes defensed the last three seasons combined. He has just 1 interception the past two seasons.
“It is about establishment. I mean, I have to earn the respect of my teammates,” Holland said. “I’m new so they don’t owe me anything, but yeah, I have to earn the respect and then from there, then the chips fall where they may, but I’m just here to make sure that they respect me, they respect my game and they can rely on me.”
Second, Tyler Nubin should be better.
Nubin, drafted in Round 2 a year ago, intercepted 13 passes as a collegiate player with Minnesota. In 13 games as a rookie, he had no interceptions and just a single pass defensed. That should change in Year 2.
“He’s [Nubin] a hell of a player and a great kid as well,” Holland said. “He’s got great things ahead of him and I’m here to help him bring that out.”
If they have injuries and players like Belton, Johnson, Layne or even Paige, an undrafted free agent, have to play significant snaps that will be worrisome.
The Giants are counting on Holland to be a better player in New York than he was the past couple of seasons in Miami. They are counting on Nubin to take a step forward and be more of a playmaker in 2025. If both happen, and both...
