The New York Giants are going through some major changes in their defensive backfield this summer. They are led by their second-year cornerback Deonte Banks and a collection of unproven draft picks and free agents.
One of those free agents is Nick McCloud, a player the Giants picked up in 2022 who has played in 31 games, starting 11, with little fanfare.
McCloud has basically been known as a backup and a special teamer who fills in when either someone gets injured or the Giants deploy nickel and dime packages.
This summer, however, the former Notre Damer has been playing all over the defense for the Giants. He’s being used at nearly every spot — both inside and outside — as new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen figures out who can do what for him in the secondary.
“Just trying to find the best pieces for us as it relates,” Bowen said at the outset of training camp. “Nick’s been kind of doing a little bit of everything so far in camp. He’s been outside some. He’s been inside some. He’s played some money for us on third down.”
Giants defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson says the 26-year-old McCloud comes to work every day with a chip on his shoulder.
Although he’s played for two large college programs (N.C. State, Notre Dame) and the Giants are his third NFL team, McCloud is still looking for respect.
“Really just going back to my roots,” McCloud said on Sunday when asked about Henderson’s comment. “Three-star recruit out of high school. I really didn’t get much love coming out of high school. Just going through the stuff I went through in college, staying five years. And then obviously being undrafted.
“It’s not really hard for me to wake up with a chip on my shoulder. But I feel like I’m moving past that point of just trying to prove people wrong. Now I’m to the point where the people who are in my corner, I’m just going to try to prove them right. So that’s just how I feel about that.”
These days, McCloud is in direct competition with Cor’Dale Flott for a starting role at outside cornerback. Flott is dealing with a quad injury at the moment, giving the journeyman McCloud the inside track.
“Definitely a huge opportunity,” he said. “I don’t think I’m just trying to take this opportunity to go win a job, every time I step on the practice field, I’m trying to win a job. Whatever reps that I get, those are valuable reps. I went from last year, I didn’t get any reps with the ones and the twos, really. Now I’m getting some reps. I just take every opportunity at practice, game, whatever it may be, just try to maximize that.”
The Giants may have something with McCloud, who has played very well at times in a Giant uniform. He is more motivated than ever now that he sees his chance in this new and improved Giants’ defense.
“I wake up every day feeling like I’ve got to prove myself, no matter where I’m at on the depth chart, no matter what the circumstance may be. I wake up every day wanting to be in the toughest situations,” he said.
