New York Giants: DeAndre Baker ascending towards starting role

Though Daniel Jones may have to wait some time to take over for Eli Manning, two of the Giants’ three first-round picks appear set to start as rookies in 2019.

Dexter Lawrence, the 17th overall pick, did not need long to move into a starting role on the Giants’ defensive line while DeAndre Baker, who New York moved back into the first round to select, leapfrogged Sam Beal on the depth chart and started at cornerback during the offseason program, according to the Newark Star-Ledger.

Were Baker to keep hold of the starting role across from Janoris Jenkins then Beal, taken in the supplemental draft by the Giants last year, would likely have to move into the slot to stay on the field.

The most interesting aspect of Baker’s arrival and ascension to the starting spot in practice, however, is what it means for Jenkins.

New York signed Jenkins to a five-year, $62.5million contract in 2016 but the former Ram has struggled to produce the consistent performances demanded of a player signed for such a high price tag.

The Giants can get out of his contract next year and lose just $3.5m in dead money while saving $11.25m against the cap, according to Over The Cap.

With Baker already in the running to start, Beal boasting some inside-out versatility and many thinking extremely highly of their fourth-round pick Julian Love, the Giants have a young group of corners who can help them long-term.

At age 30, Jenkins is unlikely to be part of the Giants’ future for much longer and, if they struggle again after a dismal 2018, nobody would blame New York for benching older players on big contracts in favor of rookies who are in need of experience.

Theoretically it is all perfectly set up for the Giants to either let Jenkins go next offseason or trade him during the 2019 season. For them to be confident in doing so, Baker, Beal and Love will all have to develop very quickly.