New York Giants Training Camp Position Preview: Cornerbacks

Can Deonte Banks and Adoree’ Jackson handle the tough opposing receivers this season?

Author:
Hunter De Siver
Publish date:
Jul 26, 2023 12:00 PM EDT

In this story:

We're taking an in-depth look at the New York Giants position groups before the start of training camp--the battles, the players, the questions, and more.

Here is our look at the cornerbacks.

New York Giants rookie cornerback Deonte Banks participates in drills on the first day of mandatory minicamp at the Giants training center in East Rutherford on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. — Deonte Banks
Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Rostered Players

Adoree’ Jackson, Deonte Banks, Cor’Dale Flott, Aaron Robinson, Tre Hawkins III, Darnay Holmes, Amani Oruwariye, Rodarius Williams, Zyon Gilbert, Gemon Green

Position Overview

Despite not having any star talent, the cornerbacks handled opposing receivers fairly well.

The Giants allowed the 13th-least passing yards per game (213.5), the 12th-lowest completion percentage (62.82), the 12th-least passing touchdowns per game (1.3), and the 16th-lowest yards per completion (10.2).

Based on the numbers, the Giants cornerbacks were an above-average group last season and nothing more than that. However, they truly struggled in the interception department. The Giants hauled in just six picks last season, and Love and safeties Dane Belton and Landon Collins contributed to five of them (Rodarius Williams had the only interception among cornerbacks.)

Another weakness heading into the season is depth. Veteran Fabien Moreau (pass-breakup leader–10) was not retained in free agency. The Giants have a lot of youth in the position that they hope will step up.

OTHER POSITION GROUPS

Biggest Question Mark

Are they deep enough talent-wise?

Adoree’ Jackson and Deonte Banks are likely the only locks as starting cornerbacks, while the rest will compete for roster spots. The Giants have one of the toughest schedules this year as Jackson and Banks will have to go head-to-head with several Pro Bowlers like Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs, Davante Adams, and others. They’ll also face A.J. Brown, CeeDee Lamb, and Terry McLaurin twice since they are division foes.

If Jackson, who’s struggled with injuries throughout his career, and Banks, who’s an unproven first-round rookie, can’t handle these threatening receivers, the Giants are in trouble.

Key Training Camp Battle to Watch

The only training camp battle worth mentioning among cornerbacks is for the CB3 spot. I believe it will be between Cor’Dale Flott, Darnay Holmes, and Amani Oruwariye.

As a junior at LSU in 2021, Flott allowed 51.1 percent of the pass targets against him to be completed for 249 yards and two touchdowns to go with his sole interception.

In his rookie year with the Giants, he allowed a touchdown in Week 2 but wouldn’t give an opponent another one during his rookie campaign. However, the following week, he suffered a calf injury that would sideline him until Week 13. From then on, he allowed receptions to all six of his targets.

Flott struggled during his limited rookie season but is just 21 years old. Due to his age and limited experience, he must improve during training camp to earn a starting spot.

Oruwariye has a decent amount of experience. He shined in 2021, recording 11 pass-breakups and six interceptions, the third-most in the league. However, he was abysmal during his final season in Detroit in 2022, allowing 39 receptions on 52 targets.

Oruwariye must show during training camp that he can return to that 2021 form.

Holmes played a career-high 59 percent of snaps last season. In 76 targets, he allowed 53 receptions for a career-best 69.7% completion rate. But he also gave up a career-high 587 yards and zero interceptions.

He may earn a starting spot if he could force more incompletions during training camp and jump some routes.

Training Camp Position Unit Grade: B

When I was deciding which New York Jets player to “steal” for the Giants, it was between receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner. I tossed and turned over picking one as it seemed like Gardner was the obvious choice due to his All-Pro rookie season. However, despite not having any star power, I thought the Giants receivers needed help more than the cornerbacks.

That said, the numbers from last season backed up the fact that the Giants cornerbacks were somehow an above-average group. They lost some key players this offseason but also gained an all-but-certain starter in Banks. Their backups and even a couple of likely practice squad players have the talent to earn a few snaps on Sundays if injuries ensue.

However, if they get beat by several opposing Pro Bowl receivers and don’t haul in several more interceptions compared to last year, it's bad news for the New York Football Giants.

Early 53-man Roster Projections

Starters: Adoree’ Jackson, Deonte Banks, Darnay Holmes
Backups: Cor’Dale Flott, Amani Oruwariye
Practice Squad: Rodarious Williams, Aaron Robinson, Zyon Gilbert, Tre Hawkins III
PUP: Aaron Robinson
Cut: Gemon Green