Big Blue View
The New York Giants elevated 28-year-old cornerback Greg Stroman Jr. from their practice squad for a Monday Night Football matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Stroman, 28, replaced Tae Banks in the second quarter and played 38 defensive snaps. This begs the question — who is Greg Stroman Jr.?
Washington drafted Stroman out of Virginia Tech in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Stroman allowed a 26.8 passer rating in his final season in college (2017); he allowed just a 25.5% catch rate — only 12 receptions on 47 targets that season. He finished college with 24 passes defended and nine interceptions, with only nine total missed tackles.
The Giants are his fifth team, and he’s played 610 defensive snaps before Monday night. He tested and measured poorly at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine:
Pro Football Focus graded Stroman well throughout his career, albeit in limited snaps. He recorded 55 tackles, three missed tackles, three interceptions, three passes defended, and three touchdowns surrendered. He had an interception in 2023, 2022, and 2018.
Here are his three career interceptions, including one preseason interception:
Stroman played in 15 games, recording 38 tackles, four passes defended, one interception, and a forced fumble as a rookie with Washington. He had two passes defended against the Giants in Week 8 of the 2018 season and then another in Week 14:
He was a promising Day 3 find, but a summer injury landed him on injured reserve for the 2019 season. Head coach Jay Gruden was fired by the time Stroman Jr. was healthy, and the young cornerback saw only one defensive snap in 2020.
Stroman Jr. bounced from the Bills to the Rams practice squads before settling in with the Chicago Bears. He played 220 defensive snaps through the 2022-2023 season. He was released at final cuts ahead of the 2024 season, and the Giants placed him on their practice squad a few weeks ago.
Cor’Dale Flott and Adoree’ Jackson’s injuries afforded Stroman Jr. an opportunity for activation. Banks’ issues allowed Stroman Jr. to see the field for many snaps. Still, Stroman initially relieved Nick McCloud and shared the field with Banks on four plays—the effort of Stroman Jr. is noteworthy on his first play of the game:
Greg Stroman Jr. (No. 30*)*
(Bottom of screen)
Stroman Jr. initially covers a post to the field side outside the numbers. Russell Wilson (3) dumbed the football off to Jaylen Warren (30) outside the numbers on the opposite side of the field. Stroman Jr. sprints from the opposite side of the field to get in on the tackle. It’s smart of Stroman Jr. to provide valuable extra effort when one of his position-mates was admonished on multiple occasions for failing to do so.
Effort may not be something to question with Stroman. He played three special teams snaps in the game — all on punt return. He was the blocker against the gunner, and he did a great job hustling to stay in front of the...
