Last time in this space, we constructed the best possible starting offense selected from only the teams on the New York Giants’ 2021 schedule. Today, it’s time to finish the exercise by building the best possible starting defense with the same criteria. Remember, each of the Giants’ 13 opponents must have at least one representative on this combined 22-man roster, so we still have a handful of teams to hit in order to meet our quota. We’re making a 4-3 base defense (four lineman, three linebackers) with your standard secondary of two cornerbacks and two safeties.
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So, without further ado, let’s pick the best starting 11 from the defenders Big Blue will have to play against this season.
Cornerbacks: Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams; Xavien Howard, Miami Dolphins
Ramsey is an absolute no-brainer for one of our starting spots. As the consensus best corner in football, he possesses the size, length, and athleticism to blanket any receiver. Howard, coming off a brilliant 10-interception season, has done more than enough to earn the second spot. If Howard’s now public trade demand takes him off the Dolphins before the Giants play them in Week 13, then simply replace him with his teammate Byron Jones, an excellent man-coverage corner in his own right. The Saints’ Marshon Lattimore is another player to consider here.
Free Safety: Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos
Finally, New York’s Week 1 opponent gets some representation, but Simmons certainly isn’t a token inclusion. The former third-round pick out of Boston College has established a reputation as one the the best safeties in the game. His 2020 numbers (five interceptions and 96 tackles) back that up. The Chiefs’ Tyrann Mathieu deserves mention here as well.
Strong Safety: Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers
James’ phenomenal rookie campaign in 2018 has only made his season-ending injuries the last two years all the more heartbreaking. Assuming (fingers crossed) he stays healthy, James will be the most dynamic strong safety the Giants will have to reckon with this season. That he earned both Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in his lone healthy season in the NFL speaks to his undeniable talent.
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Outside Linebackers: Khalil Mack, Chicago Bears; Von Miller, Denver Broncos
Sure, Mack and Miller are both more properly edge rushers than outside linebackers in a 4-3 scheme. But, technically, they’re still outside linebackers, and I challenge you to name any conventional SAM or WILL linebacker you’d rather have on the field. Both of these players are era-defining pass rushers on track to get enshrined in Canton.
Middle Linebacker: Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Again, you’ll have to forgive some positional infidelity here, as David plays as a 3-4 inside linebacker rather than as your traditional middle linebacker. But the roles aren’t too dissimilar, and the nine-year veteran would excel as a second-level defender in any scheme. Underappreciated for much of his career, David has finally received some deserved acclaim following Tampa’s Super Bowl run last season.
Defensive Ends: Chase Young, Washington Football Team; Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers
Young sneaks in as Washington’s lone representative. The much-hyped second-year pass rusher is coming off a promisingly disruptive rookie season, and should burgeon into an All Pro very soon. Bosa is as reliable a defensive end as you’ll find, making three Pro Bowls already in his young five-year career.
Defensive Tackles: Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams; Grady Jarrett, Atlanta Falcons
There’s not much to say about Donald that hasn’t already been said. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year is unquestionably the best defender of his era and one of the greatest of all time. As for Jarrett, he arrives just in time to rep the Falcons on this list, and he’s certainly deserving. The two-time Pro Bowler has established himself as one of the best interior pass rushers in the game.
– Ryan Cuneo is the Managing Editor of Full Press Giants. He covers the New York Giants. Like and follow on Follow @ryan_cuneo Follow @FullPressGiants and Facebook.