The New York Giants invested heavily in their secondary during the 2025 off-season. Their biggest investment was cornerback Paulson Adebo, who signed a three-year, $54 million contract with $38.5 million guaranteed. Adebo was the clear-cut number one cornerback heading into training camp, with Cor’Dale Flott and Tae Banks alternating as cornerback two, and Dru Phillips as the nickel defender.
The rotation of Flott and Banks was a predictable failure, as the Giants used Banks in man coverage and Flott in zone
coverage. Banks’ atrocious run defense and inconsistent effort forced him to the bench, while Flott seized the day and impressed in his contract year. Adebo, though, sprained his MCL and missed five games. Adebo returned for Weeks 15-18 and had arguably his best games of the season.
2025 review
Paulson Adebo, Cor’Dale Flott, Dru Phillips, Tae Banks, Korie Black, Rico Payton, Nic Jones, Jarrick Bernard-Converse
Adebo is not Patrick Surtain II, but he is a quality starting cornerback. Perhaps he’s best as a number two cornerback, but he can function as a number one. He recorded 71 tackles, 11 STOPs, with seven missed tackles (9% missed tackle rate). Adebo allowed a 66.2% catch rate (49 of 74); he surrendered 532 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while knocking away five passes and intercepting one. He committed three penalties.
The Giants signed Adebo to be their cornerback one and to, hopefully, help the defense turn the football over. Adebo had several opportunities for interceptions, but only secured one. New York finished with nine total interceptions on the season, and Flott secured one of the nine.
The 24-year-old was playing in a contract year, and he did not play in the final two games after suffering a minor knee injury. It’s wild to think the Giants contemplated starting Tae Banks over Flott after training camp. Flott was much more consistent than Banks, and the development from the former LSU Tiger was easily perceived early in camp.
Still, possibly due to front-office pressure or the sunk-cost fallacy, the Giants tried to use Banks strictly on third down, when they almost always ran Cover-1 Hole. The offense knew the coverage and attacked accordingly, while using a hurry-up offense in the appropriate context to run the football at an apprehensive Banks, who was rightfully benched.
Flott, though, played his best football by far in his contract season. Spotrac.com suggests that Flott’s market value is around $10 million, which could arguably be a discount for a player like Flott, who took a massive jump in 2025 in terms of coverage, footwork, reactive quickness, and overall competency.
The Giants’ defense was terrible under Shane Bowen, but Flott was one of the bright spots. Flott is a willing tackler, but he lacks pop and physicality. He missed seven tackles (15.9% missed tackle rate). Still, the combination of Adebo and Flott is respectable.
Banks, however, should not play defensive football. He can cover and is a phenomenal athlete, but he wants no part of run defense, and he is frequently out of position. Banks played 459 defensive snaps, and his inability to keep contain on the outside led to several explosive runs for the opposing offense.
Banks also allowed an 81.3% catch rate (26 of 32) for 334 yards with four touchdowns surrendered and one pass defensed, while also committing seven penalties. Banks is a bust as a cornerback — there’s no escaping that fact — perhaps he can return value as a kick returner.
Phillips was the Giants’ nickel defender, and he took a step back in his second season. He played 729 snaps for the Giants, and he was flagged ten times — tied for fourth most among cornerbacks. Like Banks, Phillips struggles to find the football when it’s airborne. He surrendered three touchdowns, but secured two picks and knocked eight balls away, while allowing a 74.4% catch rate (58 of 78).
Despite his struggles in coverage, Phillips is one of the only Giants’ players, outside the line and EDGE room, who consistently bring violence to the point of contact. Phillips is a tone-setting hitter with a knack for making impactful plays around the line of scrimmage.
He ranked third on the team with 32 STOPs, which gives the Giants flexibility with their use of nickel personnel. Phillips is a solid overall football player with the right mentality, but he must improve his hands/technique in coverage and do a better job locating the football in phase.
Korie Black played 184 snaps across six games. He had an odd start to his career after he opted to join the New York Jets practice squad over the Giants, after he failed to make the final 53-man roster. Joe Schoen did not take it personally and brought Black back to the roster ahead of Week 8. He was picked on for three touchdowns and surrendered catches on 10 of 12 targets for 224 yards. Black did, however, bring desire and violence to the position, and he took over for Banks a few times when the former first-round pick inevitably blew a rushing assignment.
Nic Jones was a valuable special teams asset, giving Michael Ghobrial 191 snaps. Rico Payton showed some skills against Dallas in Week 18 until he left the game with a concussion. Jarrick Bernard-Converse played just 18 defensive snaps for the Giants, but did contribute 42 snaps on special teams.
Grade: B-
2026 outlook
The Giants must sign Cor’Dale Flott, especially if his market value is around $10-million, as Spotrac suggests. This would put him in the Kristian Fulton (KC), Jourdan Lewis (JAX), and Michael Carter II (PHI) range. For reference, Adebo makes $18 million a year; $10 million for Flott would put him around the 30th-highest paid contract at the position, and a three-year deal will make Flott a free agent again when he is just 27 years old.
Flott’s agent is Marlon Moore of AthElite Agency. Defensive back Jalen Pitre is represented by Moore, and Pitre signed a three-year, $39 million contract extension in April. New York has struggled to retain homegrown talent, but Joe Schoen should attempt to extend Flott and allow him to continue with his development as a Giant.
Depending on the coordinator’s style, the Giants could look at adding another cheaper veteran cornerback for depth, and to not have to rely on Banks if something were to happen to Adebo, Phillips, or Flott, if he’s resigned. Veteran depth corners like Marco Wilson, Dee Alford, or Benjamin St.-Juste could be options, but we’ll understand their fit better once a coordinator is named. New York did sign Myles Purchase to a reserve/future contract after the 2025 NFL season.
The Giants could turn to the draft to replenish their issues in the secondary, but there are several holes on the roster that may preclude New York from exploring this option with one of their two top 1oo-picks. The personnel at cornerback is not terrible if Flott is retained. A new defensive mind and philosophy could certainly help Adebo, Phillips, Flott (if present), and possibly even depth pieces like Black.
