Big Blue View
A top-tier cornerback and safety help that fits Shane Bowen’s scheme is on the wish list
The biggest change the New York Giants have made so far this offseason is replacing defensive backs coaches Jerome Henderson and Mike Treier with Marquand Manuel.
Manuel’s most important job is probably trying to get the career of 2023 first-round pick Deonte Banks back on track. Job No. 2? Getting more on-ball production out of a secondary that got only four interceptions in 2024, and did not have a single player with more than one.
The Giants can, of course, help Manuel and defensive coordinator Shane Bowen with some personnel changes. If it’s me, I am making a big swing to bolster the secondary, particularly at cornerback.
Let’s examine some possibilities.
(2025 cap hit in parenthesis)
Deonte Banks ($3.703M)
Cor’Dale Flott ($3.573M)
Art Green ($960,000)
Dru Phillips ($1.362M)
Dee Williams ($960,000)
Tre Hawkins ($1.067M)
Pending free agents
Adoree’ Jackson (UFA)
Greg Stroman (UFA)
Divaad Wilson (ERFA)
Tyler Nubin ($1.858M)
Dane Belton ($1.296M)
Anthony Johnson ($1.030M)
Raheem Layne ($1.1M)
Pending free agents
Jason Pinnock (UFA) | Should Pinnock stay or go?
Elijah Riley (UFA)
Pro Football Focus thinks Jackson is the free agent the Giants can least afford to lose. I disagree. He was the Giants fourth cornerback in 2024, and really shouldn’t be any more than that. I would prefer to see the Giants move on from Jackson and use that money on a more impactful player.
I think the Giants might be well-served to move on from Pinnock, as well. Pinnock is a good young player who will be just 26 next season, but I detailed a couple of weeks ago how Pinnock’s production fell in Bowen’s defensive scheme.
Seeking a player who is a better fit for what Bowen needs at safety seems like a good idea.
SB Nation free agent cornerback rankings:
7. Byron Murphy
6. Carlton Davis
5. Rasul Douglas
4. Asante Samuel Jr.
3. Paulson Adebo
2. Charvarius Ward
1. D.J. Reed
Pro Football Focus free agent cornerback rankings:
D.J. Reed (No. 6 overall)
Charvarius Ward (No. 13)
Rasul Douglas (No. 15)
Carlton Davis (No. 21)
Asante Samuel Jr. (No. 26)
Byron Murphy Jr. (No. 33)
Mike Hilton (No. 35)
Stephon Gilmore (No. 67)
Jonathan Jones (No. 74)
Nate Hobbs (No. 86)
Paulson Adebo (No. 87)
D.J. Reed and Charvarius Ward are clearly the top two cornerbacks in this free agent class. Both are pricey, of course. PFF assigns Reed, a 28-year-old seven-year veteran who spent the last three seasons with the New York Jets a three-year, $42 million market value, with $27.5 million guaranteed. Ward’s estimated market value is three years, $43.5 million with $25 million guaranteed.
Considering the need for a No. 1 cornerback and someone to help mentor Banks, I think you have to find out if either player would be interested in the Giants. PFF thinks the Giants would be [Ward’s...
