These days, Holmes’ value appears to be on special teams more than on defense
Darnay Holmes is, somewhat surprisingly, back with the New York Giants for a fifth season. Let’s look at the veteran slot cornerback’s potential role in 2024 as we continue player-by-player profiles of the Giants’ 90-man roster.
The skinny
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 195
Opening day age: 26
Position: Cornerback
Experience: 4
Contract: One-year, $2 million max value contract | 2024 cap hit: $1.275 million | Guaranteed in 2024: $50,000
Career to date
Selected out of UCLA in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Holmes was the Giants’ primary slot cornerback in each of his first three seasons. He started only 11 of 54 games, but played more than 50% of the team’s defensive snaps in two of his first three seasons.
In 2023, that changed. With Adoree’ Jackson beginning the year and Cor’Dale Flott eventually taking that responsibility, Holmes was relegated to spot duty on defense. He played a career-low 123 defensive snaps, just 12%, while being active for 16 games.
Holmes, though, found a new role. He played a career-high 194 special teams snaps, 45%. Holmes played 87 snaps as a punt gunner, and excelled in the role. That newfound special teams flexibility is likely part of the reason Holmes is back with the Giants.
2024 outlook
It appears Holmes is headed for a role similar to last season’s, provided he makes the team. The Giants are moving Flott to boundary cornerback after drafting Andru Phillips in the third round. Phillips and Nick McCloud took the bulk of reps in the slot during the spring.
Holmes’ experience could be valuable if he is called upon defensively, but he seems to be an afterthought in the competition for regular snaps. His ability as a gunner is what might be his ticket to a fifth year with the Giants.
