2020 NFL Draft pick Darnay Holmes is winning over the affection of the Giants
The New York Giants selected Darnay Holmes with the 110th pick in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Now, according to sources on Rotoworld, Holmes could be slated to be the starting cornerback opposite of James Bradberry in Week One. He may be trusted into the role with the legal trouble surrounding DeAndre Baker and contract negotiations with Ross Cockrell falling apart earlier this month.
Holmes had the pedigree of a potential starter and key contributor when he entered the draft. A former five-star recruit, Holmes elected to stay close to home and attend UCLA. He enjoyed a fairly successful college career while compiling 120 tackles, eight interceptions, and 17 pass breakups in his three-year college career. Darnay Holmes is also a very explosive kick returner while registering 878 yards and one return touchdown in college.
What Darnay Holmes brings to the Giants
Holmes fell a bit in the draft due to his lack of size and play strength as well as a lack of mental processing. There is no denying that Holmes has the athletic ability to stick with most receivers in the NFL. That being said, he does tend to struggle with bigger-bodied receivers or when he tries to get his hands on the receiver at the line of scrimmage. That is why he was projected best as a slot cornerback in the NFL.
After a strong camp, however, there is a very good possibility that Darnay Holmes starts Week One of the season on the outside with James Bradberry. The Giants would benefit from signing a veteran like Logan Ryan to allow Holmes to start his rookie year at his more natural position in the slot. It is worth monitoring how Joe Judge and the New York Giants decide to handle a relatively thin cornerback position to start the season.