The New York Giants are reshaping their defensive philosophy and face several pivotal roster decisions as 2026 NFL free agency sets the tone for April’s draft. General manager Joe Schoen and the Giants signed Paulson Adebo to a three-year, $54 million contract, including $36 million guaranteed. Adebo served as the top cornerback on the Giants’ struggling 2025 defense.
Cor’Dale Flott and Deonte Banks handled the No. 2 role, with Flott absorbing most of the responsibility. Flott performed well and is entering a contract year — more on that later. There is optimism that Banks will mature under defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, whose scheme should better align with Banks’ physical, press-man skill set.
Nevertheless, the Giants need to add to their cornerback room. Dru Phillips (nickel), Rico Payton, Jarrick Bernard-Converse, and Korie Black are on the depth chart behind Adebo and Banks. Here are five more names who can join the room.
Cor’Dale Flott
Bring him back! The Giants aren’t necessarily in a position to shell out big money for a cornerback after the contract they gave Adebo last season. However, retaining Flott’s talent — a player drafted by Joe Schoen who showed massive strides last season — would be a wise move, even though it sounds like it could be costly. The free agent cornerback pool is shallow, and Flott is a 24-year-old who allowed a catch on just 53% of his throws last season, which ranked in the top-20.
One concern with Cor’Dale Flott is his size and whether he can consistently hold up in press-man within Dennard Wilson’s system. The previous staff often subbed him out for Deonte Banks in those situations, though that wasn’t necessarily a referendum on Flott’s ability to play press coverage; there were other reasons that may have led to that decision.
Ultimately, his retention will come down to cost — and how the new staff evaluates his physicality in a scheme that will demand more of it.
Eric Stokes, Las Vegas Raiders
The 27-year-old Eric Stokes was linked to the New York Giants in media reports last week. A former first-round pick of the Green Bay Packers, Stokes flashed as a rookie before injuries derailed his momentum. He suffered a torn meniscus and a Lisfranc injury in his second season, and persistent hamstring issues limited him again the following year.
Green Bay eventually moved on, and Stokes signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he logged 1,037 defensive snaps under coordinator Patrick Graham in 2025. He responded with a strong campaign, allowing a 56% completion rate, recording 15 stops near the line of scrimmage, and breaking up four passes.
Still just 27, Stokes has shown stretches of high-level play. While consistency has fluctuated, injuries — more than performance — slowed his development. If healthy, he could be a cost-effective option who fits Dennard Wilson’s scheme.
Asante Samuel Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers
Asante Samuel Jr. began his career on a strong note, turning in three productive seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers — including two campaigns with more than 1,000 defensive snaps. However, he battled shoulder and neck injuries, along with recurring stingers, which ultimately caused him to miss significant time in 2024.
Samuel underwent spinal fusion surgery in April 2025, but returned late in the season and finished on a positive note. He appeared in Weeks 13 through the Wild Card round, logging 249 defensive snaps to close out the year. He’s mostly played outside cornerback, but also has acted as a sub-package defensive back in the box. At just 26 years old, he could be worth an add given his talent, upward trajectory, and pricetag.
Chidobe Awuzie, Baltimore Ravens
The 30-year-old veteran played 558 snaps for John Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens in 2025 and 373 snaps for Dennard Wilson and the Tennessee Titans in 2024. Aquzie spent his first four years with the Dallas Cowboys, and then was a member of the Bengals defense for three years before joining Wilson in Nashville.
Awuzie is a feisty cornerback who allowed a sub-57 % catch rate in each of his last two seasons. He knocked seven passes away last season and has a total of 55 PBUs through his career with eight interceptions. He would provide familiar veteran depth at a lower price tag, with positional versatility (nickel/outside).
Jalyn Armour-Davis, Tennessee Titans
Armour-Davis was selected by Harbaugh in the fourth-round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He mostly played special teams when in Baltimore, but signed on with Dennard Wilson in 2025. He played 508 defensive snaps, allowing a catch on 77.4% of passes with one pass defensed. Armour-Davis is 26 years old, and he hasn’t found a strong footing since entering the NFL. He would be a familiar, inexpensive addition who would really need to earn his 53-man roster spot.
