The New York Giants were forced to let veteran James Bradberry go this offseason due to salary cap restraints. They drafted LSU’s Cor’Dale Flott in the third round to help defray that loss but they still appear to be a little short depth-wise at the position.
Adoree’ Jackson will be one starter and the Giants are ready to elevate Flott to slot corner but the other outside cornerback spot remains unclaimed.
Enter Aaron Robinson, a third round pick in last year’s draft whose Giant career was halted by a core muscle injury last season. He’s the leading candidate for the job and his coaches are confident he’s up to the task.
New defensive coordinator Wink Martindale likes his secondary room under unit coach Jerome Henderson and especially what he sees from Robinson.
“I think that from what I’ve seen, my evaluation with it is the game is slowing down for him, like any rookie going into his second year. But when you put him outside, I think it slows it down even more from being inside. It’s like walking in middle of the street when you’re inside, compared to the outside, you’re just standing on the sidewalk and you see things a lot better, a lot easier,” Martindale told reporters on Thursday.
Robinson was used basically as a slot corner or nickel as a rookie. He will now be asked to be ‘on an island’ as an outside corner. He is ready for the challenge.
“I try not to think [that it’s] too much of a difference,” Robinson said. “Except now I’ve got more sideline to work with. Other than that, it’s pretty much — pretty much feels like it’s coming along. . .being in the slot, there’s more green to work with. Us being DBs, the sideline is our friend. So that pretty much sums it up.”
The Giants are hopeful the loss of Bradberry is not too much for them to overcome. Jackson will be asked to live up to his first-round pedigree and Flott is a tenacious competitor. All they need now is for Robinson to grow into a full-service corner.
“Definitely a great opportunity. Pretty much just come to work and seize my opportunity to get better every day, and be around some great guys,” Robinson said.
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