Film study: Veteran CB Greg Stroman impresses in New York Giants debut

The New York Giants elevated 28-year-old cornerback Greg Stroman Jr. from their practice squad for a Monday Night Football matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Stroman, 28, replaced Tae Banks in the second quarter and played 38 defensive snaps. This begs the question — who is Greg Stroman Jr.?

Washington drafted Stroman out of Virginia Tech in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Stroman allowed a 26.8 passer rating in his final season in college (2017); he allowed just a 25.5% catch rate — only 12 receptions on 47 targets that season. He finished college with 24 passes defended and nine interceptions, with only nine total missed tackles.

The Giants are his fifth team, and he’s played 610 defensive snaps before Monday night. He tested and measured poorly at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine:

Pro Football Focus graded Stroman well throughout his career, albeit in limited snaps. He recorded 55 tackles, three missed tackles, three interceptions, three passes defended, and three touchdowns surrendered. He had an interception in 2023, 2022, and 2018.

Here are his three career interceptions, including one preseason interception:

Stroman played in 15 games, recording 38 tackles, four passes defended, one interception, and a forced fumble as a rookie with Washington. He had two passes defended against the Giants in Week 8 of the 2018 season and then another in Week 14:

He was a promising Day 3 find, but a summer injury landed him on injured reserve for the 2019 season. Head coach Jay Gruden was fired by the time Stroman Jr. was healthy, and the young cornerback saw only one defensive snap in 2020.

Stroman Jr. bounced from the Bills to the Rams practice squads before settling in with the Chicago Bears. He played 220 defensive snaps through the 2022-2023 season. He was released at final cuts ahead of the 2024 season, and the Giants placed him on their practice squad a few weeks ago.

Cor’Dale Flott and Adoree’ Jackson’s injuries afforded Stroman Jr. an opportunity for activation. Banks’ issues allowed Stroman Jr. to see the field for many snaps. Still, Stroman initially relieved Nick McCloud and shared the field with Banks on four plays—the effort of Stroman Jr. is noteworthy on his first play of the game:

Greg Stroman Jr. (No. 30)

(Bottom of screen)

Stroman Jr. initially covers a post to the field side outside the numbers. Russell Wilson (3) dumbed the football off to Jaylen Warren (30) outside the numbers on the opposite side of the field. Stroman Jr. sprints from the opposite side of the field to get in on the tackle. It’s smart of Stroman Jr. to provide valuable extra effort when one of his position-mates was admonished on multiple occasions for failing to do so.

Effort may not be something to question with Stroman. He played three special teams snaps in the game — all on punt return. He was the blocker against the gunner, and he did a great job hustling to stay in front of the gunner while riding him into his teammate:

(Bottom of screen)

Below is Stroman’s second snap of the game:

(Bottom of screen)

Pat Freiermuth (88) released to the flat toward Stroman Jr. after throwing a chip block. Calmly, Stroman Jr. stayed square with the tight end, briefly sank with anticipation of a crosser from the backside, and then legally tied Freiermuth up while staying in front of him. Stroman Jr. looks calm and spatially aware on this play.

Once Banks was benched, the Steelers went to this quick screen to George Pickens (14):

(Bottom of screen)

The Steelers ran an excellent screen, and Stroman Jr. could not turn around the prompt block tightly to make the tackle. The play goes for a first down on this second-and-9.

The discipline and confidence in his positioning was something that was apparent on tape. Pittsburgh attempts to attack Stroman Jr. late in the second quarter on this second-and-13 high-low concept:

(Bottom of screen)

Stroman Jr. did an excellent job sinking underneath the seven route and understood the threat of Pickens’ corner. He initially took the flat, saw Dru Phillips (22) quickly get into position as the curl/flat defender in the Cover-3 defense, and then gained depth to remove Pickens’ leverage to the sideline. Wilson had to dump the football off and eventually punt.

(Bottom of screen, inside)

On the next play — a third-and-3 — Stroman Jr. and Tyler Nubin (31) communicate the switch release after the Steelers’ wide receivers adjust at the line of scrimmage. Pittsburgh ran a man-beater to combat Shane Bowen’s penchant for running man coverage in these situations. The Giants BANJO adjusted to the switch release, and Stroman Jr. assumed the original No. 1 receiver while Nubin carried the No. 2. There was no space for either receiver.

Russell Wilson did test Stroman Jr. deep at the end of the third quarter on this second-and-six:

(Bottom of screen)

The speedy Scotty Miller (13) gained a step at the last second on Stroman Jr., who did a solid job squeezing Miller off the red line in his deep third. Still, the speed of the former Tampa Bay Buccaneer cracked over 20 miles per hour. Stroman Jr. lunged through the catch point and knocked the pass away.

(Bottom of screen)

Stroman Jr. surrendered little space to Pickens earlier in the game on the play above. He executed a back-pedal, turn, and carry in Cover-1 (man). It’s a second-and-7 play, and Stroman Jr. stayed in front of Pickens, assumed his place in Pickens’ hip pocket after the initial break, and then adjusted well once Pickens bent back toward the sideline. The Giants sack Wilson to force a third-and-12 that Jaylen Warren converted.

(Bottom of screen)

Pickens beat Stroman Jr. badly on this play, which could have caused a defensive holding penalty. The talented receiver ran a double move up on the toes of Stroman Jr., who bit and quickly grabbed the hip of the wide receiver. Luckily for Stroman Jr., Wilson had already thrown the check down.

Tackling/run defense

Stroman Jr. wasn’t asked to fit the run or make tackles too frequently in the game. Here’s one where he quickly exploded downhill to tackle Pickens on a second-and-13:

(Top of screen)

He went low on Pickens, wrapped up, and brought him to the deck. Below is Stroman Jr.’s lone tackle in run support — a quality fit.

(Top of screen)

The cornerback ran to contain on the outside, saw Najee Harris (22) cut back into the C-Gap, and then went low to make the tackle. He kept the defense structure intact, was disciplined in his path, and made the tackle. Harris may have picked up an extra yard or two through contact, which Stroman Jr. could certainly clean up.

(Bottom of screen)

I wanted to include the play above because Stroman Jr. defeated Pickens’ block attempt before he hustled to the tackle to assist if needed. A solid play and effort from the defensive back.

Final thoughts

Banks is the confirmed starter for Week 9 against the Washington Commanders. Hopefully, his hatred for Terry McLaurin and the Commanders sparks the necessary fire that provides that much-needed desire he seemingly lacked. I’m not looking for Stroman Jr. to usurp Banks into the starting lineup. That would be a disaster for many reasons.

Still, the Giants could use any competent cornerback depth opposite of a — hopefully — dialed-in Banks. Even with a healthy Jackson or Flott, neither player is a cemented starter next to the second-year cornerback who was just benched.

It’s a wild long shot for Stroman to work his way into the starting lineup when the team is healthy, but it’s a win if Stroman can carve out a role as a reliable depth piece. He looked comfortable, competent, and physical against the Steelers, which could earn him another practice squad promotion or a shot at the 53-man roster. Either way, it was a good day for Stroman’s career.