The New York Giants have made wholesale upgrades across the defense this offseason, both during the NFL Draft and through free agency, with sights set on a rapid and significant turnaround this fall.
Long before Abdul Carter arrived as the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft, and the former Penn State standout made a strong first impression on teammates and the Giants’ coaching staff this spring, New York inked the likes of cornerback Paulson Adebo and safety Jevon Holland in free agency, in hopes of dramatically improving what had previously been a young and underachieving secondary.
Dane Belton‘s days in a Giants uniform appeared to be numbered, after Holland and Adebo’s arrivals.
However, thanks to a dominant spring, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, that’s no longer the case.
“Earlier this offseason, it appeared as if he was about to become an afterthought following the signing of Jevon Holland,” Raanan writes of Belton. “But think again. “He has been really good for us here early. Like he’s had a really good spring,” defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said. “[We’re] finding ways to get him on the field, what he can do for us to help us.”
“Belton was making plays seemingly every practice this spring. He had three interceptions in the five workouts open to the media. Even if he’s not a starter it appears that the fourth-round pick in 2022 will have a role as the third safety. And why not? When he’s on the field he has consistently created turnovers and made plays.”
Belton, 24, was originally chosen by the Giants in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and the former Iowa standout is fresh off a career-high 56 total tackles with one sack, one forced fumble, one interception, and six pass breakups in 2024.
However, Pro Football Focus points out that opposing quarterbacks posted an electrifying 116.1 passer rating when throwing Belton’s direction last season, which likely prompted general manager Joe Schoen and the Giants to prioritize adding a difference maker such as Holland.
But, as Raanan suggests, if Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen leans into three safety looks this season, Belton could carve out a niche and a role for himself in a secondary where the talent has suddenly increased over the past several months.
Dane Belton Aims to Build on Strong Spring for Giants
Luke Hales | GettyNew York Giants safety Dane Belton aims to parlay a strong spring into a breakout season.
If the season began today, Belton would likely open up behind former second-round draft choice Tyler Nubin, but could push for snaps in the aforementioned three-safety look or in spot duty.
The biggest, and quickest path to the field for Belton–and any other Giants defender to see the field, according to Bowen, is creating takeaways.
So far this spring, that’s been the name of the game for Belton.
“The main thing is emphasizing takeaways. We got to get better at takeaways,” Bowen told reporters earlier this spring. “Somehow got the idea of piracy, violent, attacking to steal possessions or goods, right? You’ll hear our guys say it. I say it ad nauseum: ‘Be a damn pirate.’ We’ve got to find ways to get the ball. And, again, you get what you emphasize. We’re making it a priority this year to make sure we find ways to get the ball.”
Last season, the Giants finished 28th in takeaways, which is probably a big reason why Adebo was such a priority for New York, given his 10 interceptions through his first four seasons, and Holland’s veteran presence and five career interceptions as a centerpiece at safety.
However, through with training camp looming, Bowen says Belton’s momentum from this spring is palpable.
“Dane has been really good for us here early. Like he’s had a really good spring,” Bowen told reporters. “Finding ways to get him on the field, what he can do for us to help us.”
Luke Hales | GettyThe New York Giants will need more out of the linebacking corps if the defense is going to take a big step in 2025. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Over the past two offseasons, the Giants have expended significant resources upgrading the pass rush and secondary, but one unit in Shane Bowen’s defense remains a bit of an uncertainty.
As the 2025 season approaches, at least one NFL analyst isn’t optimistic about the state of the Giants’ linebacking corps, as currently constructed.
“New York’s linebackers should have plenty of space to work with,” Pro Football Focus’ Dalton Wasserman writes, ranking the Giants’ linebackers 19th in the NFL. “Behind their potentially stellar defensive line. The headliner is veteran Bobby Okereke, whose 81.3 PFF overall grade over the past two seasons ranks 10th among qualified linebackers.
“Micah McFadden struggles a bit in coverage but has posted at least a 66.0 PFF run-defense grade in each of the past two years. Darius Muasau also recorded a solid 68.1 PFF run-defense grade as a rookie last season and would likely be the next man up if anything happened to Okereke or McFadden.”
If the Giants’ defense is going to take the kind of leap necessary to remain competitive in an NFC East that houses Super Bowl contenders like the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders, and the potentially resurgent Dallas Cowboys, New York is going to need to get some semblance of the caliber of play from Okereke and McFadden as they likely will from their dominant collection of edge rushers.
