New York Giants: New starting safeties in 2015?

Via ESPN.com, numerous outlets reported Sunday that Devin McCourty would re-sign with the New England Patriots, much to the chagrin of the New York Giants.

However, just because the Giants can’t land McCourty doesn’t mean they won’t improve be making moves at both safety spots. Veteran strong safety Antrel Rolle is expected to hit free agency, New York needs to find a replacement for the 32-year old but still-talented strong safety. Any way you look at it, the Giants need to find out which duo will be starting at safety in 2015.

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The two starting free safeties from last year, Stevie Brown and Quintin Demps are both free agents, and it’s very possible the Giants bring back at least one of them.

Brown returned in 2014 after missing all of 2013 with a torn ACL, and he looked decent. He was benched in Week 3 against the Houston Texans, but hopefully he is back to his 2012 self.

Demps was average all year. Nothing more nothing less. Demps led the team with four interceptions.

Both Demps and Brown would be cheap options, and one of them could be brought back so the Giants know they have at least one capable starter at the position.

There are out-of-town options who could possibly step in at one of the safety spots, too.

While various outlets are reporting the Giants have interest in former Denver Broncos safety Rahim Moore, Moore might want too much money. Ron Parker of the Kansas City Chiefs is the frugal option and is a player who can contribute – especially with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo calling the shots.

Parker went undrafted coming out of Newberry College (Corey Washington‘s alma mater), and despite being cut numerous times by more than one team, Parker played well last year and started all but one game.

The well-traveled pro finished 2014 with 94 tackles, 12 pass defenses, one sack, one forced fumble and one interception.

Parker is a very versatile player — has experience playing both cornerback and safety — which is something the Giants value very much in their safeties.

In fact, Parker is similar to the aforementioned Rolle. Rolle, of course, entered the NFL as a cornerback before he eventually made the smooth transition to safety.

Unfortunately, Parker wasn’t exactly elite last year. He ranked 53rd among 54 qualifying safeties in coverage and run defense, according to Pro Football Focus.

Another option the Giants have is Da’Norris Searcy, as it’s likely he won’t be brought back by the Buffalo Bills. I think the 26-year-old Searcy has a huge upside and would provide more of an impact than Parker. Searcy was very good in pass coverage last year, allowing only nine completions out of 19 passes thrown his way. Searcy also picked off three passes.

Searcy is also a good tackler and good in run defense. He’ll likely be pricier than Parker, but he’ll be two years younger come September and I think the upside would be worth the contract.

However, we can’t forget about the in-house candidates to take over at safety, either.

Nat Berhe and Cooper Taylor are the two most likely players currently under contract to take over the starting strong safety gig in 2015.

Taylor missed all of 2014 with a foot injury, but the Giants like what he can offer the team. Prior to getting injured, Taylor was working in reps with the second-team defense, according to Jordan Ranaan of NJ.com. Taylor is 6’4″and 227 pounds and has experience at linebacker. He would be best suited to play the strong safety position in the future.

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The biggest caveat surrounding Taylor is his health. Taylor ended on injured reserve in 2013 as well.

The other in-house option, Nat Berhe, is an interesting player. In 2014, Berhe’s time was mostly relegated to special teams, though he did get some snaps here and there.

Nicknamed “The Missile,” Berhe is a physical player who is a very, very solid tackler. Despite not seeing a ton of action at safety, he excelled in kick and punt coverage. He isn’t exceptionally big – 5’10”, 193 pounds – but he’s a natural, fluid athlete who plays every play at 100 miles per hour.

General manager Jerry Reese has spoken highly about both players at January’s NFL Scouting Combine, even mentioning the fact that they both have a chance to start in 2015.

“They’re gonna get a chance to compete,” Reese said, when asked whether either of the players are viable options to start or not, according to Nick Powell of NJ.com. “Cooper obviously needs to stay healthy, but I think both guys will get a chance to compete for that position.”

However, in the same interview, Reese said he wanted to upgrade the safety position, so it’s unclear who the Giants envision as the starting safety in ’15. There’s certainly a lot of uncertainty, but it appears any of the aforementioned players are possible options.

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