Xavier McKinney's best spot appears to be at free safety, so which other safety can fill the other spot left by Julian Love's departure?
There's a few cornerback/safety hybrids on the roster in Jason Pinnock, Bobby McCain, and Gervarrius Owens, who profile as free safety types. Trenton Thompson and Alex Cook are undrafted players looking for backup roles. Then there's Dane Belton. Judging from what scouting reports are on him, I would say Belton has the best skillset for a traditional strong safety since he played a linebacker/safety hybrid role in college as a box defender and made splashes with a couple interceptions. However, he's had collarbone problems which hampered him throughout 2022 and doesn't have as good range.
If Belton can develop more, I'd keep McKinney at free safety, Belton as strong safety, and Pinnock as the primary nickel. If he doesn't, McKinney will have to play strong safety and the free safety will likely be a rotational position.
Giants face big question at strong safety ahead of 2023 season - (
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This. I've said the same thing repeatedly. Good player, not yet elite
That kid from ODU was drafted as a corner but his makeup gives me a future S vibe.
That kid from ODU was drafted as a corner but his makeup gives me a future S vibe.
I thought Owens was a thumper?
Are we really looking for a thumper???
Are we really looking for a thumper???
I think Wink wants his safeties to be more position-less to disguise his schemes, one who could play both positions.
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Love played opposite him right? Aren’t we looking for a Love replacement who replaced Logan Ryan. Both former CB.
Are we really looking for a thumper???
I think Wink wants his safeties to be more position-less to disguise his schemes, one who could play both positions.
This is why Pinnock is so valuable to this team. I thought he brought more to the table than Love last year in his fairly brief time. Better in coverage...jad no problem letting Love walk especially after seeing the money he got.
That kid from ODU was drafted as a corner but his makeup gives me a future S vibe.
Good thought. Love was also drafted as a corner. Experience at corner is useful at safety for the right kind of player.
Nick McCloud is still nominally a CB, but he got some safety reps in OTAs; my guess is they would like him to be a game-day backup at multiple DB positions so he can dress primarily for special teams. As others have noted, Tre Hawkins and Leonard Johnson are strong tacklers who might eventually project to safety as well.
Dane Belton would seem to be in a different category, since he was a safety/linebacker hybrid at Iowa; but he does at least have the straight-line speed to play deep.
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They elect to use McKinney as the box, or cover TE kind of player I feel they could use someone like Belton or McCain deep. Owens reportedly has good ball skills and athleticism but lacks the punch as a run support kind of player.
That kid from ODU was drafted as a corner but his makeup gives me a future S vibe.
I thought Owens was a thumper?
Thumper could mean "hitter", the question with Owens appears to be his tackling ability.
However, I do believe they like Belton quite a bit and he is probably the longer-term prospect.
Do not discount Pinnock just because the Jets waived him. Someone had to go to get to 53 and the GM or HC had political capital tied up in the stupid, washed-up veteran re-sign that they did at S.
With more Corners in the Mix maybe he takes Loves role and Pinock and Belton rotate in that 3rd S / hybrid LB slot we use jefferaon and collins in