The New York Giants lost safety Dane Belton in free agency, and while they made some additions in free agency, the question of whether or not they need a long-term solution still persists.
If they decide they do need another safety, they could take a long look at LSU safety A.J. Haulcy.
Haulcy wore a wide variety of hats for the Tigers, playing deep safety, linebacker hybrid, and just about everything in between. He hasn’t gotten much buzz at the national level, but Haulcy is a big, athletic, and highly physical defender who has many of the traits defenses are looking for to counter modern offenses. He’s also a highly experienced safety who’s played for New Mexico and Houston before transferring to LSU.
So, could the Giants have Haulcy on their radar if the value works out?
Prospect: A.J. Haulcy (13)
Games Watched: vs. Ole Miss (2025), vs. South Carolina (2025), vs. Texas A&M (2025)
Red Flags: Shoulder (2025 – played through)
Measurables
Strengths
Best traits
- Size
- Athleticism
- Versatility
- Ball production
- Physicality
- Play speed
A.J. Haulcy is a big, athletic, versatile, and smart safety prospect.
He has very good size for the position at 6-foot, 215 pounds with great 4.5-second speed as well as solid quickness and agility on tape. Haulcy wore a solid variety of hats for the LSU defense playing everything from a STAR S/LB hybrid position to a single-high free safety alignment in a Cover 1 shell. He executed those assignments well, though he’s likely at his best closer to the line of scrimmage.
Haulcy was frequently asked to execute coverage rotations in LSU’s defense and was easily able to get depth and in position on schedule. He’s also an active communicator in the pre and post-snap phases, allowing him to help keep the structure of the defense intact.
He processes the game well, typically diagnosing run or pass quickly and accurately. Likewise, he generally takes smart – if aggressive – angles to the ball which maximize his long speed and allow him to impact the play from distant alignments. He also does a very good job of positioning himself for ball production. He has a good timing and technique with his “Peanut Punch” and also does a good job of positioning himself to collect interceptions.
Haulcy is, above all, a mean, competitive, and physical safety prospect. Haulcy seems to relish the physical aspect of the game and looks for opportunities to deliver hits to offensive players. He commits hard and fast when he diagnoses the play, often flying in from off-screen to tackle the ball carrier. He plays with bad intentions and lets offensive players know it early and often.
Weaknesses
Worst traits
- Hip stiffness
- Occasional over-aggressiveness
- Shoulder health
Haulcy is a well-rounded safety and there’s a lot to like about his game, however there are a few issues in his game that need to be noted.
First and foremost, Haulcy has some slight stiffness in his lower half that, while not enough to brand him a “linear athlete”, means he shouldn’t be in man coverage that often.
There are also some instances where he can be fooled by good play design or good eye discipline on the part of the quarterback. He can be pulled out of position by well-executed motion or a quarterback who is convincing when looking off coverage. His speed and aggressiveness can mean that he’s well out of position before recovering.
Haulcy also has a few too many shoulder checks or arm tackles on his tape. He’s a good tackler overall, however there are times when he’s either unable to break down properly or simply opts to lay the big hit over wrapping up securely.
Teams will also want to do their due diligence on Haulcy’s shoulder. He was reportedly able to play through it, but it may have contributed to his inconsistent tackling over the course of the season. Teams will want to make sure the shoulder is healthy, stable, and has a good long-term prognosis.
Game Tape
(Haulcy is the LSU safety wearing number 13 with long white sleeves.)
Projection
A.J. Haulcy projects as a starting safety with scheme and alignment versatility at the NFL level.
Haulcy may start out as a rotational third safety at the NFL level simply due to his versatility to play a variety of roles in different situations. However, he has the physical traits, and appears to have the mental traits, to win a starting spot early in his career.
Coaches are sure to love Haulcy’s play demeanor and he could thrive close to the line of scrimmage shutting down underneath zones and as an enforcer in the run game. That said Haulcy’s range and opportunistic play also make him a viable deep safety, and he could earn a lot of fans among coaches who like to disguise pressure with safety rotations.
Does he fit the Giants? Yes
Final Word: A mid Day 2 pick
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