The New York Giants faced a major challenge this offseason in rebuilding a secondary that lacked experience and depth. According to one NFL executive, general manager Joe Schoen may have made a significant impact with a key move. After a season in which the Giants’ young secondary was plagued by injuries, Schoen signed veteran safety Jevon Holland to a three-year, $45.3 million contract, with $30.3 million guaranteed, aiming to add leadership and playmaking ability that had been missing.
“He’ll contribute immediately,” an NFC executive told Heavy, speaking anonymously. “I think he’s a really solid player — he can cover, he’s good in space, and he’s got talent.” Holland, 25, was originally drafted by the Miami Dolphins with the 36th overall pick in 2021 and played his first four NFL seasons there.
Now with the Giants after recording 62 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and four pass breakups last season, the team is counting on him to help raise the play of emerging talents like 2023 second-round pick Tyler Nubin and young corners Deonte Banks and Dru Phillips.
Holland’s veteran leadership and consistency are especially crucial as the Giants prepare to face top-tier receivers in the NFC East like CeeDee Lamb, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Deebo Samuel.
Jevon Holland
Pro Football Focus named Holland the Giants’ “X-Factor” for the 2025 season. Analysts Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman noted, “The Giants signed several veterans to bolster their secondary, with former Dolphin Jevon Holland being the most notable addition. Though he posted a career-low 57.1 coverage grade from PFF last season, his 91.3 grade since 2021 ties him for fifth among qualified safeties. If he returns to that form, he could fill the void left by Xavier McKinney’s departure.”
There’s some criticism around the decision to let McKinney — a former second-round pick who became an All-Pro last season — walk in free agency and sign with the Packers. Still, Holland presents an intriguing replacement with significant upside for a defense hoping to turn a corner.
Despite a dip in performance last season, including allowing a 111.3 passer rating, Holland sees 2025 as a chance to prove himself. “I bring a long, rangy skill set — I can come down and play man coverage,” he said on April 21. “We haven’t worked out all the details yet, but that’s the general expectation.”
In what could be a defining season for GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, Holland might be the key to whether the Giants continue rebuilding or make a leap forward on defense.
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