Can this group create more turnovers?
The New York Giants upgraded their safety room this offseason with the signing of Jevon Holland, who joins second-year former second-round pick, Tyler Nubin. The combination of Holland and Nubin theoretically gives Shane Bowen a starting safety tandem with a knack for intercepting opposing quarterbacks.
Nubin was the all-time interception leader at the University of Minnesota with 13 total picks. Holland had nine interceptions in two seasons at Oregon. He’s had one interception in the past two seasons in the NFL, and five total as a professional dating back to 2021.
Bowen runs two-read coverages (not exclusively) when his defense isn’t overcompensating for various injuries. A hybrid zone-man coverage, where the corner and safety on each side “read” the route of the No. 2 receiver (slot) to decide their responsibilities.
It’s a conducive coverage for creating turnovers, yet the Giants managed just five interceptions last year. The skill sets of Holland, Nubin, and third-safety Dane Belton all suggest more interceptions if the Giants can force teams to throw more.
Belton has not played like a starting safety throughout his career, but he’s gifted with his eyes and ability to time/jump routes. Belton led the Big 10 in 2021 with five interceptions, and he has five picks in his professional career.
If the Giants could establish positive game scripts, which would give their defensive sub-packages more time on the field, then players like Belton could showcase their best trait — their ability to steal the football from the offense. That would allow Bowen to creatively employ his three safeties, all of whom have a past of intercepting passes.
Creating turnovers is the biggest question for the Giants’ safety group, but it’s certainly not the only question.
Other questions
Is there enough depth?
Depth! The Giants’ depth behind Holland and Nubin is suspect. Belton has his role, and it’s a valuable role. Still, if something were to happen to Nubin or Holland, Belton would be the next man up, and Shane Bowen has praised Belton over the last year. However, Belton is more of a sub-package player and has struggled to fit the run from depth consistently.
Anthony Johnson Jr., Raheem Layne, and Makari Paige are the three safeties behind Dane Belton. Johnson Jr. was with the Giants last season and appeared in eight games, mainly as a special-teams player. He played 21 defensive snaps total. Layne was a practice squad player for the Giants for most of the season.
Layne was promoted to the active roster late in the season and tore his meniscus in Week 16 against the Falcons. His health is uncertain at the moment. Paige was an undrafted rookie out of Michigan. The depth at this position group is precarious if something were to happen to either starter, but the overall trio of Holland, Nubin, and Belton has considerable upside.
Can Holland return to dominance?
Holland is coming off his worst season as a professional under defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. Holland and other Dolphins players reportedly had a strained relationship with Fangio, leading to his departure after one season. Holland expressed relief upon Fangio’s exit, stating that the change was “a complete 180” and praising new DC Anthony Weaver for being more relatable and communicative, yet this did not result in better play on the field.
Holland experienced success with Josh Boyer as defensive coordinator and was successful in his one season with Fangio, but last year was a step back in many ways. He was dealing with injuries, missed a career-high 17% of his tackles, and broke up only three passes with zero interceptions.
Jevon Holland just turned 25 years old. He chose the New York Giants and is looking to be one of the cornerstones — one of the leaders — of the Giants’ defense. He has more than enough talent and skill to be that player for New York.
Have we seen the best of Dane Belton?
I mentioned it earlier, but it’s worth repeating — if the Giants’ offense can establish leads, then their defense can use sub-packages more, deeper into the game. This will give Belton the chance to play all across the second level and use his eyes to undercut and confuse quarterbacks, which could lead to more interceptions and plays on the football.
Belton is entering his contract year. The 24-year-old has played 1,155 snaps through four seasons, with 460 total defensive snaps last year (most in his career). He has five interceptions and six total passes defended. Bowen can utilize three safety sets in BIG-DIME/BIG-Nickel packages, which can enable Belton to be successful as the third safety.