Where does the Giants defense stand heading into training camp?

Welcome to part one of a two part series, where I will analyze both sides of the ball prior to the New York Giants' first training camp practice on July 24th.

New defensive coordinator, Shane Bowen, looks on during a minicamp practice / Photo: Giants.com

Shane Bowen has high hopes for his defense

The Giants have a fresh face at defensive coordinator heading into the 2024 season. Shane Bowen, former defensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans, takes over after a cutthroat ending to former defensive coordinator Wink Martindale's tenure with the team. There is going to be a lot of change coming to the Giants' D, and it starts with Bowen. His game planning will be tested from the jump. He inherits a pass rush with potential to be top-5 in the league, a linebacking unit led by soon-to-be captain Bobby Okereke, and a secondary emerging from the fountain of youth.

Bowen has high hopes for his unit, and yes it's early, but it seems that he understands what it will take to build a well-oiled machine. Speaking at a press conference at the end of minicamp, Bowen told the media:

“I’ve seen guys learning, I’ve seen guys not making the same mistakes twice, being able to turn the page and continue our teaching progression where we’re not hung up on 100 level stuff. We can progress to 200 level, and then, at some point, start to implement how offenses are trying to attack us.”

This came after he was asked about what he saw from the rookies in their first minicamp reps. Bowen understands that it is a gradual learning process and that guys need to adjust to the fast paced style of the league. It's a whole different ball game when rookies transition from college to the NFL.

Bowen comes with strong accolades, having held the defensive coordinator position for the Titans over the last three seasons (2021-2023). In that time, Bowen's defenses were consistently strong, especially against the run. From 2021-2023, the Titans surrendered the fewest rushing yards in the NFL (89.7 yards per game) and allowed 33 rushing touchdowns during that span, trailing only the Ravens and Patriots for best in the league. In the Brian Daboll era, the Giants have ranked 29th (2023) and 27th (2022) against the run.

The Giants recognized a glaring weakness and brought in a coordinator that will emphasize stopping the run and work in a lot more zone coverage schemes. This, in turn, should help take the pressure off of a young secondary that will be learning as they go this season.

Starting 11 projection

Remember; we're still in June, so this projection is subject to change based on how training camp and the preseason plays out. The Giants are projected to play a base 3-4 defense this season. Here's my take on how that might shape up for them come week 1 against Minnesota.

There is a lot to be excited about with this 11. Dexter Lawrence will continue to do Dexter Lawrence things. Brian Burns is the superstar add that will help a pass rush in desperate need of a playmaker alongside Kayvon Thibodeaux. Bobby Okereke is coming off a career year in 2023, having registered 149 total tackles, four forced fumbles, and 10 pass deflections. He will almost certainly have the green dot on his helmet in 2024 and will be the signal caller of the defense. Deonte Banks showed flashes of excellence in his rookie season and is poised to bring his game to the next level in year two. Tyler Nubin, the Giants' 2024 second round NFL draft pick, should slot right in as a key piece at the safety position. He will be filling the shoes of Xavier McKinney who has since moved on to Green Bay.

Other notable names who will be getting meaningful reps are Isaiah Simmons, Azeez Ojulari, Cor'Dale Flott, Jalen Mills, and rookie Dru Phillips. Aaron Robinson is also a talented corner. However, he's going to need to prove that he deserves a spot on this team after an injury-ravaged first two seasons in the pros.

Final thoughts

The defense has been lackluster in the Brian Daboll era, but 2024 brings a new defensive coordinator and a few fresh faces that should help bring the defense back to relevancy.

All in all, the Giants are building a defense that they are hoping will be together for years to come. They are hoping that the youth picked up through the draft, coupled with the excellent play of proven guys like Bobby Okereke, Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux, and the depth pieces I named above can act as a strength of this team as the offense continues to try and figure things out.

There will be bumps in the road - at least to start the season - that this defense will need to overcome. The secondary is raw and unproven and the pass rush and run defense need to step up after rating in the bottom of the barrel the last two seasons. There should be a lot to be excited about though as the Giants are putting an emphasis on defense and are bringing in guys that they believe are the future of the franchise.