Giants UDFAs: Get to know Makari Paige, S, Michigan

Can Paige crack the Giants’ safety depth chart?

The New York Giants did a good job of reinforcing their secondary in free agency, but didn’t invest highly in the secondary in the draft. Instead, they brought in four defensive backs with their class of undrafted free agents, in addition to drafting Korie Black in the seventh round.

Michigan safety Makari Paige has an intriguing blend of size, speed, and experience. Will that be enough for him to make the Giants’ 2025 roster?

What does he bring?

The biggest thing Paige brings with him is experience.

He’s a red-shirt senior who’s played in 38 games over the last three seasons, and has been playing in “NFL” defenses since 2021. Mike Macdonald (Ravens’ DC turned Seahawks head coach) called the defense in 2021, Jesse Minter (now Los Angeles Charger defensive coordinator) called the Wolverines’ defense in 2022 and 2023, and finally Wink Martindale ran the defense in 2024. Paige is coming to the NFL with plenty of experience in three different, and sophisticated, defenses.

Kent Lee Platte | RAS.football

Paige is a little light for a strong safety at 197 pounds, but his size and speed jump out at you. He has rare length for the position at 6-foot-3, with 32½-inch arms (and 10½-inch hands), as well as 4.52-40-yard dash speed, both of which are very good for the position. Paige can cover a lot of ground and his length should allow him to cover a relatively large area around himself.

On the field, Paige seems to process quickly when coming downhill and takes solid angles to the ball in run support. He’s rangy enough to play deep coverage zones in Cover 2 or Cover 3, and also big enough to play as a box safety in the second level.

That said, he’s a high-cut athlete and his change of direction skills are limited. He doesn’t have the agility to match up with receivers in man coverage, and can lose his balance if he has to change direction very suddenly.

Can he stick?

The fact that Paige plays safety could be a mark in his favor. The Giants have Tyler Nubin and Javon Holland set at the top of the depth chart and Dane Belton should probably be penciled in as their third safety.

From there? The Giants have Anthony Johnson Jr. and Raheem Layne at safety. If the Giants choose to carry more than three safeties, Paige could have a solid chance of beating the fringe veterans for a spot. He’ll also be in competition with fellow UDFA South Carolina cornerback O’Donnell Fortune, who could be viewed as a “defensive back”.

As with all of these players, Paige’s path to the roster is going to depend on his special teams play. His background as a defensive back, as well as his speed and willingness to come downhill and hit could bode well for his chances.