DEAL DONE: New York Giants completes the signing of a top veteran after long talks
Darnay Holmes is, somewhat surprisingly, back with the New York Giants for a fifth season. Let’s look at the veteran slot cornerback’s potential role in 2024 as we continue player-by-player profiles of the Giants’ 90-man roster.
The skinny
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 195
Opening day age: 26
Position: Cornerback
Experience: 4
Contract: One-year, $2 million max value contract | 2024 cap hit: $1.275 million | Guaranteed in 2024: $50,000
Career to date
Selected out of UCLA in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Holmes was the Giants’ primary slot cornerback in each of his first three seasons. He started only 11 of 54 games, but played more than 50% of the team’s defensive snaps in two of his first three seasons.
In 2023, that changed. With Adoree’ Jackson beginning the year and Cor’Dale Flott eventually taking that responsibility, Holmes was relegated to spot duty on defense. He played a career-low 123 defensive snaps, just 12%, while being active for 16 games.
Holmes, though, found a new role. He played a career-high 194 special teams snaps, 45%. Holmes played 87 snaps as a punt gunner, and excelled in the role. That newfound special teams flexibility is likely part of the reason Holmes is back with the Giants.
2024 outlook
It appears Holmes is headed for a role similar to last season’s, provided he makes the team. The Giants are moving Flott to boundary cornerback after drafting Andru Phillips in the third round. Phillips and Nick McCloud took the bulk of reps in the slot during the spring.
Holmes’ experience could be valuable if he is called upon defensively, but he seems to be an afterthought in the competition for regular snaps. His ability as a gunner is what might be his ticket to a fifth year with the Giants.
‘Go do it’ — Giants’ new DC wants to see players earn the right to play
Back in January, New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll decided to entrust the defense to new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen after the dismissal of Wink Martindale.
With change comes a new scheme, a new understanding, and expectations which are being felt six months later.
“As time has gone on and guys get an understanding of my expectations and my standard and what I’m looking for from certain things, Bowen said. “They gradually learn and it gradually increases their ability to go out there and do it, right, and for coaches to teach it.
“We are going to be a very collaborative group as a coaching staff. Hopefully we are that way as a unit: selfless players that put the team first.”
Bowen will inherit a defense that features plenty of talent up front including All-Pro defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence.
Bowen will inherit a defense that features plenty of talent up front including All-Pro defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence.
“Yeah, it’s great. That’s the one thing, Dexter (Lawrence), Bobby (Okereke), (Brian) Burns, these guys that have played at a high level in this league, Bowen said. “They’re not only great players, but they’re really great dudes. They’re great teammates.”
While schematically things could look different the play style of the defense will remain the same and Bowen has made it clear what he is looking for on the field.
“The play style ain’t going to change, Bowen mentioned. “We’re going to be physical, we’re going to be tough. We’ve got a high standard for that. We turn the tape on, we want teams to see us flying around, hitting people, not turning down contact, being decisive in our decisions, being aggressive with our breaks.”
There is a lot of aggressiveness outside of scheme as it relates to defensive football. Then with the scheme, we’ll see. Still a work in progress. Like, we were a new defense nine weeks ago; we’re the Giants defense now.”
There are jobs up for grabs at several positions on defense. Bowen is looking forward to the competitions.
“When we get back in training camp, I’m looking for those guys that are consistently reliable to go out there and do their job, play with the technique and fundamentals we’re asking them to play with,” he said.
“That’s ultimately how they’re going to win their one-on-one matchups. Bottom line: We need guys to start separating themselves. Maybe not the first week in training camp, but as we get going those first few weeks in training camp, we’ve got to start defining roles. I want to see guys take opportunities, grab them, and start to pull away.
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