The New York Giants’ secondary has boom-or-bust potential entering the 2024 season. The group is brimming with talent, but also with inexperience and youth. With an average age of 22.8 years old among the secondary’s starting five, the group’s lack of experience could become a cause for concern this season.
The Giants’ starting trio of cornerbacks is especially young
Deonte Banks will continue to lead the Giants’ secondary as the primary cornerback as he enters a pivotal second season. He made 15 starts as a rookie last season, quickly taking over as CB1 in the secondary while veteran Adoree’ Jackson struggled and saw his role diminish. Banks looked like one of the team’s top performers throughout spring practices, instilling confidence in the coaching staff that he would be prepared to take that leap in year two of his career.
However, opposite Banks is another inexperienced player, as Cor’Dale Flott is the projected starter at CB2. Flott has just 13 career starts to his name across two seasons in the league, and he’s spent most of his playing time as nickel cornerback. Stepping into a new role, the 22-year-old Flott will need to take a huge step forward this season.
With Flott moving out of the nickel, rookie cornerback Andru Phillips is moving in. He is expected to take over as the starting slot cornerback after being taken by Big Blue in the third round of this year’s draft.
Banks (23), Flott (22), and Phillips (22) form an incredibly young and inexperienced cornerback trio. However, all three of these kids have immense talent and potential. They will create a boom-or-bust experience on the defensive end for Big Blue.
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Jason Pinnock leads a young defensive backfield
Behind the Giants’ young cornerback trio is a young duo of projected starting safeties. Jason Pinnock will lead the team’s secondary as the returning starter on the back end, now joined by rookie Tyler Nubin as the projected starting free safety.
Pinnock started 16 games for New York last season, establishing himself as one of their most reliable performers behind 85 combined tackles and two interceptions. However, despite being the most experienced starter in the secondary, Pinnock is still just 24 years old.
Nubin seemed like a steal for Big Blue in the second round of this year’s draft. The 23-year-old defensive back became the all-time interception leader at Minnesota during his senior year. He will be attempting to fill big shoes this season, however, taking over as the starter following the departure of Xavier McKinney.
Although the Giants’ secondary is young and inexperienced, the potential is there for the group to be among the strongest on the team this season. However, their lack of experience could become a cause for concern during the early portion of the regular season.