2021 New York Giants Key Position Battles

Overtime Heroics Editorial

811 days ago

Last season, the New York Giants went 6-10 and were runners up in the NFC East along with the Dallas Cowboys. Head Coach Joe Judge will be in his second year hoping to get the Giants into the playoffs. Quarterback Daniel Jones will be in his third year as the leader of the offense. The G-men added a number of pieces on the offensive side such as Kenny Golladay, Kyle Rudolph, John Ross, Devontae Booker, Mike Glennon, and Kelvin Benjamin.

Training Camp will be around the corner in which the Giants are going to have to make roster cuts for their 53 men roster. Let’s dive into some key positions on the offensive and defensive side of the football.

2021 Giants Position Battles: Offense

WR 3: Kadarius Toney VS Sterling Shepard

Toney was drafted in the first round of this year’s draft. Toney’s strengths are that he has the ability to make instant cuts and can break off his routes sharply. The G-men will be able to use him as a runner in jet sweeps and as a punt returner as well.

Shepard had 66 catches for 656 yards and three touchdowns last season. The former Oklahoma wide receiver has great versatility playing outside despite being known as a slot receiver. Shepard has actually played more outside than inside in the last two seasons. Last season, he played 356 snaps on the outside and 190 on the inside.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 15: Nate Solder #76 of the New York Giants in action against Taybor Pepper #46 of the Miami Dolphins during their game at MetLife Stadium on December 15, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Right Tackle: Matt Peart VS Nate Solder

Peart was a rookie last year in which he played in 11 games including one start for the team. He will look to start at right tackle this season in his second year. Peart only allowed two sacks scoring a 69.7 score from Pro Football Focus.

Solder is 33 years old in which he opted out of last season due to COVID-19. In 2019, he played in every game of the season and only missed 57 out of the 2,037 snaps. Solder brings a veteran presence to the offensive line if he wins the starting right tackle job.

2021 Giants Position Battles: Defense

Inside Linebacker 2: Tae Crowder VS Reggie Ragland

Crowder is going into his second season this year after being the last pick in the 2019 National Football League Draft. Crowder finished 6th in overall tackles with 56 and had a fumble recovery that was returned for a touchdown. His Pro Football Focus grade was a 36.4 last season.

Ragland was added to the team this offseason as a part of the linebacker group the G-men already have. Ragland is more of a two-down than a three-down linebacker. The former Georgia linebacker does not have much athletic ability in his game, but is very physical and puts himself into solid positions to tackle ball carriers.

CINCINNATI, OH – NOVEMBER 29: New York Giants cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) tackles Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Brandon Allen (8) during the game against the New York Giants and the Cincinnati Bengals on November 29, 2020, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Cornerback 3: Darnay Holmes VS Aaron Robinson

Holmes held opponents to just 1.31 yards per target and had 30 tackles with five pass breakups in 12 games. He also had five starts as well. The second-year corner appears to be the favorite heading into training camp as he already has experience over his competitor in training camp.

Robinson has upside as he was drafted in the third round this year out of the University of Central Florida. He is not afraid of in run support and also has size at 5’11 1/2. Lastly, Robinson has solid transition quickness and athletic ability which all of those advantages could suit him well to winning the third cornerback spot.