The New York Giants were one of the youngest teams in the NFL last season. They had rookies start games in nearly every key position. The Giants were particularly young in the secondary, selecting three defensive backs in the 2019 NFL Draft (four if you count Sam Beal in the Supplemental Draft).
The Giants’ young defensive backs had plenty of ups and downs. However, the Giants’ fourth-round selection, Julian Love, showed plenty of promise in his rookie season.
Julian Love Stats And Highlights
The Giants’ fourth-round rookie out of Notre Dame primarily played slot cornerback in college. Due to some issues with injuries, Love primarily played strong safety in his rookie season. Julian Love brought some consistency and playmaking ability to the safety position after Jabrill Peppers went down with an injury.
Julian Love started in 5 games this season. He totaled 35 combined tackles to go along with 5 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, 3 passes defended, and 1 interception. Love played 405 snaps down the stretch and performed well in the run game and in coverage (PFF).
The Giants’ rookie lined up all over the defense. He played in the box, over the slot, and at free safety. Pro Football Focus listed Julian Love as a player who can “provide optimism” for the Giants heading into 2020. Giants fans should agree with that statement.
In this play below, Julian Love demonstrates his ability to make plays against the run. This skill will cause the Giants’ coaching staff to consider playing Julian Love more at safety/in the box in 2020.
I LOVE this play from Julian Love, playing in a strong safety role against Philly on this play, he shoots the gap and gets the tackle for a loss.
The Giants see him as a utility player that can play SS, FS, slot CB… I like the diversity they're giving him.#giantschat pic.twitter.com/XeQ0HOBZNk
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) January 10, 2020
Here is another play where Julian Love just shut down the flat, playing zone defense and making a strong tackle on third down:
On the bright side…
Rookie DB Julian Love, in his first start at strong safety. LOOK at this tackle. This was my favorite play by a Giant all day against the Packers.
3rd and 13. GB 44. 12:30 in the third quarter, down seven.@NDFootball #Giants pic.twitter.com/OZaZMC8d7x
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) December 5, 2019
Julian Love is not just a run-defending safety, though. The former college cornerback also flashed great potential in pass coverage. Here is Julian Love’s first career interception that came against the Chicago Bears:
Reading what Julian Love went through before this game made this INT that much better. Hopefully it’s the first of many as our starting FS. Hopefully he’ll get more chances this year. pic.twitter.com/BVOCnh718e
— Danny King (@DannyKing___) November 26, 2019
Julian Love and Jabrill Peppers could be an excellent safety tandem in the 2020 NFL season. They are both highly versatile players. Peppers is a strong safety that can line up in the box and play linebacker. Love is a safety who can play strong, free, or line up out wide and play cornerback. The Giants’ young secondary has a bright future ahead.