Big Blue View
The New York Giants invested heavily in their secondary during the 2025 off-season. Their biggest investment was cornerback Paulson Adebo, who signed a three-year, $54 million contract with $38.5 million guaranteed. Adebo was the clear-cut number one cornerback heading into training camp, with Cor’Dale Flott and Tae Banks alternating as cornerback two, and Dru Phillips as the nickel defender.
The rotation of Flott and Banks was a predictable failure, as the Giants used Banks in man coverage and Flott in zone coverage. Banks’ atrocious run defense and inconsistent effort forced him to the bench, while Flott seized the day and impressed in his contract year. Adebo, though, sprained his MCL and missed five games. Adebo returned for Weeks 15-18 and had arguably his best games of the season.
Paulson Adebo, Cor’Dale Flott, Dru Phillips, Tae Banks, Korie Black, Rico Payton, Nic Jones, Jarrick Bernard-Converse
Adebo is not Patrick Surtain II, but he is a quality starting cornerback. Perhaps he’s best as a number two cornerback, but he can function as a number one. He recorded 71 tackles, 11 STOPs, with seven missed tackles (9% missed tackle rate). Adebo allowed a 66.2% catch rate (49 of 74); he surrendered 532 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while knocking away five passes and intercepting one. He committed three penalties.
The Giants signed Adebo to be their cornerback one and to, hopefully, help the defense turn the football over. Adebo had several opportunities for interceptions, but only secured one. New York finished with nine total interceptions on the season, and Flott secured one of the nine.
The 24-year-old was playing in a contract year, and he did not play in the final two games after suffering a minor knee injury. It’s wild to think the Giants contemplated starting Tae Banks over Flott after training camp. Flott was much more consistent than Banks, and the development from the former LSU Tiger was easily perceived early in camp.
Still, possibly due to front-office pressure or the sunk-cost fallacy, the Giants tried to use Banks strictly on third down, when they almost always ran Cover-1 Hole. The offense knew the coverage and attacked accordingly, while using a hurry-up offense in the appropriate context to run the football at an apprehensive Banks, who was rightfully benched.
Flott, though, played his best football by far in his contract season. Spotrac.com suggests that Flott’s market value is around $10 million, which could arguably be a discount for a player like Flott, who took a massive jump in 2025 in terms of coverage, footwork, reactive quickness, and overall competency.
The Giants’ defense was terrible under Shane Bowen, but Flott was one of the bright spots. Flott is a willing tackler, but he lacks pop and physicality. He missed seven tackles (15.9% missed tackle rate). Still, the combination of Adebo and Flott is respectable.
Banks, however, should not play defensive football. He can cover and is a phenomenal athlete, but he wants no part of run defense, and...
