2022 New York Giants Position Review: Safeties

The Giants' safeties were one of the team's strengths despite the injuries at the position.

The New York Giants safety group is the roster's deepest and most diverse unit. They have guys who can cover and tackle, some who can function like cornerbacks, and others who can function like linebackers.

This flexibility allowed them to absorb injuries and create advantageous matchups regardless of the opponents faced. They provided defensive coordinator Wink Martindale with the ability to play more dime coverage in games where the Giants needed extra help on the back end. The safeties also provided support against the run.

Other than whether the team will be able to re-sign pending unrestricted free agent Julian Love, the safeties are arguably the only position group that doesn't appear to have any glaring question marks going into 2023.

Love was the most consistent performer for the unit, and it could not have come at a better time for the 2019 fourth-round draft pick. As already noted, Love is entering free agency this offseason, and even if the Giants were to reach deals with Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones before the March 7 tagging deadline, there is little to no chance the Giants will use the franchise tag (worth $14.460 million for a safety) on Love.

After a season where Love led the team with 124 tackles and two interceptions (the interception total tied for the team lead with fellow safety Dane Belton), Love's value could not be higher. He consistently stepped in when needed throughout a season where every player at the position seemed injured.

Xavier McKinney continued his ascent as one of the premiere safeties in the NFL, but a freak hand injury suffered during the team's bye week threw his ascension off track. When he returned late in the season, he was still successful even while playing with a protective covering for his hand.

---

MORE 2022 GIANTS POSITION UNIT REVIEWS: Quarterback | Defensive Line | Receivers | Inside Linebackers | Edge Rushers | Tight Ends | Cornerbacks | Offensive Line | Running Backs

---

Being limited to nine games meant he could not duplicate his five-interception effort from 2021. However, he was still vital to the team's success throughout the first half of the season when they could amass a 6-2 record before the bye week.

McKinney is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2023 and will undoubtedly be highly motivated to have his best season in blue. If he continues his high level of play, he should be in the team's long-term plans as he has been one of the leaders of the defense.

Belton was the Giants' fourth-round selection last year, and as already noted, he tied with Love for the team interception lead (two). He filled a major role for the team this season, especially as a second-level defender. The defense played a lot of "dime" (six or more defensive backs), and Belton was one of the safeties asked to operate as a box run defender and to cover receivers, tight ends, and backs on shallow and intermediate routes.

He excelled as a run defender and was surprisingly good in underneath coverage. Belton will still need to improve his open-field tackling and third-level coverage, but he's proven his worth. It will be interesting to see how high his ceiling goes into 2023.

Jason Pinnock spent 2021 with the Jets and in 2022 before shaking loose and being scooped up by the Giants. Pinnock stepped in without hardly missing a beat when called upon. He was especially helpful during McKinney's absence, making five starts in his 14 games and putting his versatility on display.

Tony Jefferson made a spot start this past season before missing time on injured reserve with a foot injury. Jefferson is an unrestricted free agent, and it's unlikely he'll be back.

Landon Collins is another UFA whose status is also up in the air. Collins showed he could still play in the box and contribute as an inside linebacker. He made one start, and his impression was felt.

He's always been a weapon as a second-level safety, but he will be 30 years old when the 2023 season begins. He can also mentor Belton as he continues to improve at the position, especially since both plans play the same type of game.

In short, this is a solid group at its core, which should have Belton, McKinney, and Pinnock back. The team would like for Love to return--they tried getting a new deal done during the bye last week, but that went nowhere. However, with the franchise tag looming for Daniel Jones and some other roster needs on the horizon, there is a realistic chance that Love may have played his last game for the Giants.

---

• Get the latest breaking news and analysis on the New York Giants
• Follow and like us on Facebook
• Submit your questions for our mailbag
• Check out the Giants Country YouTube Channel.
• Subscribe and like the LockedOn Giants YouTube Channel
• Sign up for our FREE message board forums
• Get your Giants tickets from SI Tickets!