Training camp is just around the corner, yet corner is still a big need for the New York Giants.
Despite the improvements the Giants made to their roster this offseason, they focused little attention on the clear weakness they have at boundary cornerback. Opposite CB1 Deonte Banks, Big Blue’s second starting cornerback is largely unestablished.
They have a few youngsters competing for the starting job, but in such a youthful secondary, perhaps general manager Joe Schoen could turn to the free agent market to find an experienced veteran to compete for the starting job.
Could the Giants target 8x Pro Bowl CB Patrick Peterson in free agency?
In what’s become an incredibly thin free agency pool with training camp just two weeks away, one veteran talent does stand out as a player who could fill a major in the Giants’ defense. 34-year-old Patrick Peterson is still available to be signed despite turning in an impressive 13th season with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023.
Last season, Peterson totaled 42 combined tackles, eight past defenses, and two interceptions as one of the Steelers’ starting cornerbacks. He surrendered just 38 completions on 64 targets in coverage (59.4%) and four touchdowns. Peterson demonstrated that, despite his increased age, he is still a capable coverage man.
Peterson began his career with eight straight Pro Bowls and three first-team All-Pro selections during his time with the Arizona Cardinals from 2011 to 2020. Since then, he’s turned into a bit of a journeyman, spending two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings before playing out that one-year deal with Pittsburgh last season.
If the Giants could target Peterson on another one-year low-cost contract, they could potentially add a significant upgrade in their secondary right before training camp. Peterson would give New York some valuable veteran experience that they don’t possess anywhere else in their defensive backfield.
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The Giants seem content with the defensive backs they currently have
While signing Peterson would potentially give the Giants an upgrade at cornerback, it would also take opportunities away from their younger players. The Giants seem intent on developing their young defensive backs and giving them the chance to prove their capabilities as starters this season. Signing Peterson could disrupt those plans.
But at the end of the day, the Giants’ primary goal is to win football games. Signing Peterson would improve the strength of their defense and increase their ability to stack wins this season. If he is interested in signing with a team before training camp kicks off later this month, the Giants should pursue Peterson on a one-year deal.
