NY Giants: Defensive Position-by-Position Breakdown and Depth-Chart Analysis
While the thrill of watching quarterback Eli Manning connect with receivers like Odell Beckham Jr. is what might initially draw the interest and generate the excitement in an NFL game, the defense always has and probably always will be the catalyst toward a championship.
No one knows this more than the New York Giants, whose defensive units in 2007 and 2011 were largely responsible for the team’s two Super Bowl championships under head coach Tom Coughlin.
The 2011 unit, for example, held the New England Patriots to 17 points in Super Bowl XLVI, which tied the second lowest output by the Patriots' potent offense that season.
The 2007 Giants defense was even better. Not only did it ruin the Patriots’ undefeated season but also held them to just 14 points, their lowest output of that season.
In this slideshow, we will look at the New York Giants' defensive units—the depth chart and the upcoming battles—and try to anticipate what to expect once training camp is over.
Defensive End
1 of 5
| Name | Ht | Wt | Exp. |
| Ayers, Jr. Robert | 6'3" | 275 | 7 |
| Harrah, Brad | 6'5" | 265 | R |
| Moore, Damontre | 6'5" | 250 | 3 |
| Odighizuwa, Owamagbe | 6'3" | 270 | R |
| Pierre-Paul, Jason | 6'5" | 278 | 6 |
| Selvie, George | 6'4" | 270 | 6 |
| Stanton, Jordan | 6'4" | 263 | 1 |
| Wynn, Kerry | 6'5" | 264 | 2 |
Where Things Are
Thanks to the unfortunate accident suffered by Jason Pierre-Paul over Independence Day weekend, the Giants are potentially looking at having two new starting defensive ends this season.
The other vacancy is a result of the team parting with Mathias Kiwanuka back in February as part of a salary cap-related move.
Key Battles
With Pierre-Paul’s status up in the air—ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that there is concern that the 2011 Pro Bowl defensive end could miss the start of the regular season—both defensive end spots are up for grabs.
In looking at the depth the Giants currently have, their first priority is going to be to find someone who can play the run. Of those listed, Kerry Wynn, the second-year player out of Richmond, would probably fit that bill the best.
According to Pro Football Focus, Wynn graded out with a 3.8 mark in 192 snaps and had the second-best run stop percentage (8.9 percent) in the division among 4-3 defensive ends.
As for his pass-rushing ability, Wynn needs a little more seasoning in that area, but usually with young defensive ends, if they can hold up against the run, learning to rush the passer is easier for them to grasp.
At the other defensive end spot, assuming Pierre-Paul isn’t ready to go, George Selvie, who was with the Cowboys last year, will probably be in the mix, as will be Robert Ayers Jr.
Last year for the Cowboys, Selvie finished with a respectable 7.8 run-defense grade in 586 snaps.
While Ayers’ run grade was a minus-3.0, it should be noted that he had the NFC East’s highest run-stop percentage (9.1 percent) and was tied for second in the division (with former teammate Kiwanuka) for the most stops (tackles for zero or negative yards) with 11.
How Things May End Up
The Giants will probably go with Selvie and Ayers as their starters, at least until Wynn shows that he can rush the passer.
Ayers, remember, can move inside to defensive tackle on passing downs, so if they want to work Damontre Moore or Owa Odighizuwa into the equation, they can move Ayers inside and send Selvie to the bench.
Defensive Tackle
2 of 5
| Name | Ht | Wt | Exp. |
| Bromley, Jay | 6'3" | 310 | 2 |
| Ellis, Kenrick | 6'4" | 346 | 5 |
| Hamilton, Dominique | 6'5" | 315 | 1 |
| Hankins, Johnathan | 6'2" | 320 | 3 |
| Jenkins, Cullen | 6'2" | 305 | 12 |
| Kuhn, Markus | 6'4" | 320 | 4 |
| Taylor, Carlif | 6'2" | 319 | R |
Where Things Are
Johnathan Hankins is entrenched as one of the starters on this unit. The other starting job, previously held by Cullen Jenkins, would probably go to Kenrick Ellis, who is a true plugger type.
Ellis, in fact, is just what the NFL’s 30th-ranked run defense needs.
Jenkins, remember, can provide depth at defensive end as well—he worked there for Jason Pierre-Paul during the spring.
Conventional wisdom says the Giants will carry four defensive tackles plus one on the practice squad. Barring injuries, that is probably what they will do.
Key Battles
The two projected remaining spots at this position will likely come down to veterans Jenkins, Markus Kuhn and Jay Bromley.
Let’s start with Jenkins. As noted above, he can play both defensive end and defensive tackle. However, at 34 years old, he’s the oldest of the group and is coming off an injury-filled year last season in which he dealt with calf issues.
Kuhn, who at 29 years old is entering the final year of his rookie deal, is another enigma. Suited for the 3-technique spot, Kuhn’s run defense lacked any impact, as he tended to absorb blocks more so than dish out the punishment.
This offseason, he bulked up to around 320 pounds in the hopes of being able to better disengage from blockers, but it remains to be seen if the added bulk will slow the 2012 seventh-round draft pick.
Then there is Bromley, last year’s third-round pick who was barely used as a rookie. He told me for Inside Football that he worked on his strength this offseason and that he’s trying to get a better grasp of the intricacies of playing at this level.
"This year, I’m focusing a lot more in my game as far as leverage and understanding how to play the game and slowing the game down in my head," he said.
"I’m trying to put my best foot forward in those areas so I can put myself in a position to play a lot more this year."
How Things May End Up
It’s difficult to predict how the defensive line positions will play out based on the spring showing because there is no contact. However, it would be surprising if the four projected defensive tackles aren't Jenkins, Hankins, Ellis and Bromley on the 53-man roster, which would make Kuhn the odd man out.
As far as the practice-squad candidate is concerned, that obviously will come down to Carlif Taylor, the rookie out of Southern Connecticut State, and Dominique Hamilton. However, until they get the pads on, this one is a toss-up right now.
Linebackers
3 of 5
| Name | Ht | Wt | Exp. |
| Beason, Jon | 6'0" | 232 | 9 |
| Butler, Victor | 6'2" | 245 | 6 |
| Casillas, Jonathan | 6'1" | 227 | 7 |
| Farrand, Cole | 6'2" | 229 | R |
| Herzlich, Mark | 6'4" | 246 | 5 |
| Kennard, Devon | 6'3" | 251 | 2 |
| McClain, Jameel | 6'1" | 245 | 8 |
| Thomas, J.T. | 6'1" | 235 | 5 |
| Unga, Uani' | 6'1" | 233 | 1 |
Where Things Are
The Giants starters in the base package—strong-side linebacker Devon Kennard, middle linebacker Jon Beason and weak-side linebacker J.T. Thomas—appear to be set.
However, this trio comes with question marks. First, Beason and Kennard have both had some issues with staying on the field. Beason’s injury history in particular is well-known.
The other interesting thing that is yet to be revealed is, which of these three linebackers will come off the field when the Giants go to the nickel package?
Kennard has shown the ability to blitz off the edge, so he’s probably safe. Beason is the quarterback of that defense and the guy who will get the helmet with the radio in it.
However, a good case could be made for removing him on passing downs. According to Pro Football Focus, he hasn’t been as effective in coverage since the 2010 season, which was his last 16-game campaign and his last Pro Bowl berth.
Thomas has good athleticism and has shown he has more instincts than Jacquian Williams, the man who started at the weak-side position last year. Will those traits be enough to keep him on the field?
In looking at the depth behind the starters, Jameel McClain worked almost exclusively in the middle during the spring, a move that would suggest that he is Beason’s primary understudy.
Herzlich can play all of the linebacker spots, but as he showed last year, he’s better off playing on the outside and only in run support, where per Pro Football Focus, he was the third-best run defender for the Giants last year.
Jonathan Casillas projects as a weak-side linebacker, but he could also have a role in the big nickel package if defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo wants a little extra oomph on the field.
Key Battles
The only battle that is going to come from this unit is for a spot on the practice squad between rookie Cole Farrand out of Maryland and first-year player Uani' Unga out of BYU.
Both players saw snaps in the middle, with Unga actually coming up with a couple of interceptions during the spring. Farrand, who’s listed at 229 pounds, is the lightest of the linebackers, but that would be no reason not to add him to the practice squad if he performs on special teams.
As for Victor Butler, a six-year veteran, his fate is already sealed.
Butler is headed to the suspension list for four games to start the season after having been found guilty of violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
He wouldn’t have been eligible for the practice squad given his accrued experience.
How Things May End Up
Assuming there are no injuries—a huge assumption and an improbable scenario—the Giants will keep six linebackers: Beason, Kennard, Thomas, McClain, Casillas and Herzlich.
Lastly, in the battle for a spot on the practice squad, Farrand appears to make the most sense if he has a strong summer. McClain will be an unrestricted free agent next year, and it’s unclear if the Giants will retain Beason, who while signed through 2016, would be due a $6.566 million cap figure, per Over the Cap.
If the Giants move on from Beason and McClain, they really don’t have a true middle linebacker on the roster. With a year in the system, Farrand could potentially come back in 2016 and compete for that spot.
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Cornerbacks
4 of 5
| Name | Ht | Wt | Exp. |
| Amukamara, Prince | 6'0" | 207 | 5 |
| Brown, Chykie | 5'11" | 190 | 5 |
| Fenner, Chandler | 6'1" | 189 | 3 |
| Harris, Mike | 5'10" | 188 | 4 |
| Hosley, Jayron | 5'10" | 178 | 4 |
| McBride, Trumaine | 5'9" | 185 | 8 |
| Rodgers-Cromartie, Dominique | 6'2" | 193 | 8 |
| Wade, Trevin | 5'10" | 190 | 4 |
Where Things Are
The Giants are set as far as their starting cornerbacks are concerned, as Prince Amukamara and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are back and will both presumably be (and stay) healthy for the coming year.
However, the depth behind those two is a mystery, starting with the nickel cornerback. In May, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo admitted to reporters that he wasn’t sure who the nickelback would be, adding that they would try multiple players at that spot.
As of the end of the spring, Trumaine McBride was the incumbent, but he is in no way a lock.
The identities of the fourth and fifth cornerbacks are also question marks.
Key Battles
The slot cornerback competition will be the marquee battle among this unit given the importance of the position against three- and four-receiver sets, as well as the fact that usually the slot cornerback is the first backup off the bench in case one of the two outside corners is hurt.
The winners of the fourth and fifth cornerback spots will likely be decided by who performs best on special teams.
How Things May End Up
As previously mentioned, the starters will be Amukamara and Rodgers-Cromartie. Based on last year’s production as outlined in this analysis, Mike Harris should get the edge as the slot cornerback. As noted, Harris is 26 years old and appears to have more upside than McBride, who is a solid player but headed for the wrong side of 30 and whose contract ends after this season.
As for the rest of the depth, it makes sense to keep McBride as the fourth man on the unit’s depth chart. McBride can serve as the backup to the outside corners or the slot corner.
The fifth cornerback will probably be Chykie Brown, who will edge out 2012 third-round draft pick and colossal disappointment Jayron Hosley. Brown can also back up the outside and slot corners.
Safeties
5 of 5
| Name | Ht | Wt | Exp. |
| Berhe, Nat | 6'0" | 194 | 2 |
| Collins, Landon | 6'0" | 225 | R |
| Gordy, Josh | 5'11" | 196 | 5 |
| Jackson, Bennett | 6'0" | 192 | 1 |
| Taylor, Cooper | 6'4" | 228 | 3 |
| Thompson, Mykkele | 6'0" | 193 | R |
Where Things Are
At one point, this unit was the biggest question mark on the defense.
Why? Look at the number of years of experience for each player. Other than Josh Gordy, who worked mostly as the nickel cornerback in the spring as part of that rotation, none of the other corners listed has started an NFL game.
There is some good news though, and that starts with Landon Collins, whom the Giants grabbed with the 33rd overall pick in this year’s draft. Collins, the top safety in the 2015 draft class, is already penciled in as one of the starters.
As for the rest of the depth chart, that still needs to be sorted out.
Key Battles
Throughout the spring, Cooper Taylor worked alongside Collins with the first-team defense. However, this was more by default since Nat Berhe, a second-year player whom safeties coach David Merritt told reporters was supposed to have the first crack at working with the starting unit, was sidelined with a calf issue.
Assuming Berhe is over his calf issue, he and Taylor, the latter of whom missed all or part of his first two seasons in the NFL because of injuries, will likely battle it out for the other starting safety spot.
The only other question then is, if the Giants keep four safeties, who will the fourth guy be?
Presumably, they’ll keep the runner-up in the projected Berhe-Taylor battle, though it’s possible that maybe they go with just three safeties since Gordy, who again was working at the cornerback spot, can be the swingman.
If that is the plan, then the third safety comes down to the runner-up in the Berhe-Taylor competition and rookie fifth round draft pick Mykkele Thompson.
How Things May End Up
Collins seems a lock to be a starter. Based on the spring, however, it might be too soon to declare Taylor the winner over Berhe, though Taylor certainly gained an advantage in the competition.
Thompson poses an interesting dilemma. Merritt praised the rookie for his football IQ, but a hamstring issue on the last day of the minicamp knocked the young man out of action.
Then there is Bennett Jackson, a cornerback by trade who is trying to convert to playing safety.
Both Thompson and Jackson are eligible for the practice squad, so it’s possible that one of those two will indeed end up there. Right now, the assumption is that it will be Jackson, who survived on the practice squad last year (albeit thanks to a knee injury that ended his year).
The reason why it will probably be Thompson over Jackson is that the former has shown good range and coverage as a free safety, and he seemed to have a better feel for playing the angles on the ball.
Patricia Traina covers the Giants for Inside Football, Journal Inquirer and Sports Xchange. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes, observations and information were obtained firsthand. Follow me on Twitter.
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