The New York Giants have invested heavily at cornerback during the Joe Schoen era as GM, both financially and in draft capital. They have not gotten the return on investment they had hoped for. Will that change with John Harbaugh as head coach and Dennard Wilson, a former defensive back, as defensive coordinator?
Let’s look at the cornerback position as we continue our position-by-position “better or worse” series.
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Key additions: Greg Newsome II, Colton Hood
Key losses: Cor’Dale Flott
The roster: Paulson Adebo, Deonte Banks, Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Korie Black, Art Green, Colton Hood, Nic Jones, Greg Newsome II, Rico Payton, Dru Phillips
Why they could be better
There are a number of reasons to be optimistic that the Giants could be improved at cornerback.
Paulson Adebo did not have the impact expected last season after the Giants signed him to a three-year, $54 million free-agent contract, $34.75 million of which was guaranteed. Adebo had just one interception and eight passes defensed in 12 games, after having seven interceptions and 28 passes defensed in 22 games over the previous two seasons. Adebo’s passer rating against of 98.2 was far above the 62.7 and 70.8 ratings he posted during his final two seasons with the New Orleans Saints. Adebo also missed five games with a knee injury.
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Adebo, who will be 27 in July, is a better player than he showed last season. Adebo was asked to travel with the opposition’s No. 1 wide receiver last season rather than stay at his customary left cornerback spot, something he had never done before. Shane Bowen’s defensive scheme may also not have been aggressive enough to play to Adebo’s strengths.
Perhaps those things change this season.
The Giants did lose Cor’Dale Flott in free agency, but there is optimism about second-round pick Colton Hood and hope that former first-round pick Greg Newsome II can bounce back to the form he showed earlier in his career.
Dru Phillips is a solid slot cornerback. Safety Ar’Darius Washington can also move into the slot.
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There have been hints that Wilson’s scheme will allow cornerbacks to play more aggressively, and that should help. There is a misconception that the Giants did not play a lot of man coverage a season ago. They did, just not truly aggressive man coverage. Among qualifying cornerbacks, Phillips was No. 1 in the NFL in time spent in man coverage at 39%, Adebo was fourth at 37.1% and Flott fifth at 35%.
Why they could be worse
Adebo has played just 19 of 34 possible games the past two seasons. If he suffers another big injury, the depth will be tested. Maybe Hood and Newsome aren’t the answer, forcing the Giants to again live with Deonte Banks playing defense.
The verdict
A healthy, properly-used Adebo should be a big plus. On the other side, Flott had a good 2025 season and is a nice player, but his 175-pound frame is not ideal for the way the Giants want to play defense. If Hood is the player the Giants think he will be, they will be fine on that side.
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There is potential for the Giants to be improved at this position.
