Giants Coordinators Define Characteristics Sought in Key Positions

What are the Giants looking for in a quarterback and cornerback, two of their biggest positional needs? The coaches dished.

In just a little more than a week, the world outside of 1925 Giants Drive will find out if New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll have prioritized the team's needs to include a quarterback and cornerback and, if they do, what characteristics they're looking for in those two key positions.

The Giants current depth chart suggests that both positions will be filled, especially considering they are the strength of this year's draft. But the question is, what are the coaches looking for in those two critical positions?

"I want guys who can defend the deep part of the field, guys who can play man coverage, and guys who are willing to tackle," defensive coordinator Shane Bowen told reporters on a video call Monday, the start of the team's off-season program.

"Measurables are great, but if they can get their job done with a little bit less than some of those measurables, then I'm okay with that. But those are the big three for me."

The Giants have a glaring opening at CB2 after declining to retain veteran Adoree Jackson. The current depth chart suggests that Nick McCloud, who signed his restricted free agent tenure on Monday, would be first-up for the spot opposite new CB1 Deonte Banks, but the Giants are widely expected to add competition to a group that, besides McCloud, includes Aaron Robinson, Cor'Dale Flott, Tre Hawkins III, and Darnay Holmes.

Cornerback is widely expected to be a Day 2 pick for the Giants. Meanwhile, the quarterback position has been at the forefront of most mock drafts and analytical discussions since the season ended, thanks to Daniel Jones's growing injury history and regression last season.

So what characteristics are the Giants seeking in a quarterback, assuming, of course, that's indeed on their radar?

"There are a lot of things that are important to me in a quarterback," said offensive coordinator/assistant head coach Mike Kafka. You know, leadership, just that ability to kind of control a room, control a huddle. That kind of 'it' factor. You look for that. The more you talk to them, the more you get comfortable with them."

Kafka has been heavily involved in the extensive work the team has done on the top quarterback prospects, a process that he said he's enjoyed.

"I like the class. Smart guys," he said. We have been able to meet them throughout the combine process and this pre-draft process. They are really sharp guys with a lot of ability, so I’m really excited about this group. It’s been cool."

Part of Kafka's and the Giants' overall objective when it has come to quarterbacks has been to get to know the quarterback prospects on a micro level.

"You want to understand what fires them up and what might give them issues, so you have a plan as a coach to build a guy up and how to prevent some weak spots. If they have a weakness and I have a strength, I can cover up his weakness with my strength, and vice versa," he said.

"You try to find that 'it' factor with a guy you want to be around who you know will make the other guys better around him. Whether it's the quarterback room or another position, some guys just have that.

"I know we have that already in our quarterback room with Daniel (Jones), with Drew (Lock), with Tommy (DeVito). Those are guys who command and do a hell of a job in the huddle and command the leadership of the team. Those are guys you want to be around," he added.

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