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Giants Add Defensive Depth in Seventh Round

New York closes out its 2023 draft with d-line and defensive backfield depth.
Patricia Traina|
Giants Add Defensive Depth in Seventh Round
Giants Add Defensive Depth in Seventh Round

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New York Giants

The New York Giants used both of their seventh-round draft picks to further reinforce the depth on the defensive side of the ball, specifically at defensive line and defensive back.

With the first of their two picks (No. 243), New York selected defensive tackle Jordon Riley out of Oregon. And then, with their final pick (No. 254), the Giants selected defensive back Gervarrius Owens out of Houston.

Riley, 6-foot-3, 330 pounds, is a classic plugger, or space eater who figures to see most of his snaps inside. Playing almost exclusively on the defensive line, Riley has had equal experience playing both the A- and B-gaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

Before playing last year at Oregon, Riley played sparingly for two years at Nebraska, and one at North Carolina has appeared in 20 games, logging 35 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, and half a sack.

Riley is a developmental project, given his lack of college experience--he's only played in more than four games just once (in 2022).

Owens, 6-foot and 195 pounds is a hard-hitting box safety who was a four-year starter and team captain at Houston.

A converted cornerback--he switched to safety after the 2019 season--Owens struggled with taking smart angles as he continues to learn the safety position. He's posted 36 career missed tackles, including 16 last season.

According to his NFL.com scouting profile, Owens also had several dropped interceptions last season.

The good news for the Giants is that they don't have to rush either of these picks to the field soon. The Giants beefed up their defensive line depth via free agency with Rakeem Nunez-Roches and A'Shaw Robinson. They'll also get D.J. Davidson, a draft pick last year, back from an ACL injury.

Meanwhile, at safety, the team signed Bobby McCain to a one-year deal to fill out a depth chart that already includes Dane Belton, Xavier McKinney, Jason Pinnock, and Trenton Thompson.

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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