Giants investing heavily on upgraded defense

For all the talk of the Giants’ offensive woes, they’ve spent more money in free agency fixing their defensive problems.

The Giants committed nearly $100 million combined to cornerback Paulson Adebo and safety Jevon Holland with three-year deals. They signed former Cowboys defensive end Chauncey Golston coming off a breakout season and Jaguars defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris.

Contrast that with the Giants bringing back right guard Greg Van Roten and re-signing Darius Slayton. The offense, one of the NFL’s worst last season, didn’t change much outside of signing quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, who’ll receive a combined $15.5 million in guaranteed money.

But while that’s a lot of faith in Wilson being a fix, the Giants didn’t take that same risk on defense. They added players they believe could raise the ceiling for a unit that had a franchise record-low five interceptions and earned the ire of president/CEO John Mara in his end-of-the-year remarks.

General manager Joe Schoen singled out Adebo and Holland for how they can elevate the group.

“Ball skills and instincts, both those guys have that. Good football players,” Schoen said at the league meetings last Monday. “We spent a lot of time in Buffalo with Jevon Holland. He would’ve potentially been in the mix if we didn’t take Greg Rousseau [in 2021].”

Adebo (three years, $54 million) and his 10 career interceptions allow him to take pressure off Deonte Banks, who struggled his first two seasons. Holland (three years, $45.3 million) started 57 games in four seasons with the Dolphins and was a team captain his last three seasons.

Holland also was considered one of the NFL’s rising young safeties before an injury in 2023 limited him to 12 games. He played 15 games last season.

“[Adebo] does a good job getting his hands on the ball and creating turnovers,” coach Brian Daboll said. “He’s played both systems [man and zone coverage] but I would say he’s a good man corner, too. Holland [is an] instinctive player, crafty veteran, can play different spots in the back end for you.”

The investment in defense suggests multiple things. The Giants are adding insurance in case they have a repeat of quarterback issues from the last two years. If Wilson is steady under center, they’re hoping the defense can do its job behind Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns.

It also might suggest a further defensive investment in the draft. Schoen said last week that the Giants don’t necessarily have to take a quarterback if one isn’t available with the No. 3 pick.

A pivot could be Colorado defensive back/receiver Travis Hunter or Penn State defensive lineman Abdul Carter. It’s not surprising that 14 members of the Giants’ staff went to Colorado’s Pro Day to watch not only quarterback Shedeur Sanders but Hunter, who only ran routes to catch passes.

If the Giants have invested this much in defense, it’s not a stretch to add another similar player on April 24 with their first pick. They still need a quarterback of the future, but adding another young defender after Adebo, Holland and Golston could make sense.

The addition of Adebo and Holland means the Giants’ five main defensive backs are between 23 and 25 years old. Golston is 27 but had 5 ½ sacks last season after struggling to find a role his first three seasons.

It’s a long-term plan to fix the defense. But after a three-win season, the Giants hope it can bear fruit immediately next season.

“You got Dru Phillips, Tae Banks, Adebo, [Tyler] Nubin and Holland for the next three years under contract together,” Schoen said.

“So put Dexter [Lawrence] in there, put Brian Burns in there. You got a core group of good football players that will be together for the foreseeable future as we build it.”

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.