Giants draft targets to help bolster secondary

The New York Giants lost a key component of their defense this offseason as starting S Julian Love signed with the Seattle Seahawks. The Giants are now thin in the secondary and may look to replace Love during the 2023 NFL Draft.

Jordan Battle - Safety, Alabama

Of the safety prospects in this year's draft class, one player stands out for his connection to a member of the Giants' defense. Alabama S Jordan Battle described Giants S Xavier McKinney as a "great mentor" and expressed interest in reuniting with his college teammate at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.

"Just growing up alongside X, he helped me understand the playbook faster," Battle said. "I had to get on the field early as a freshman when I got to 'Bama. I started about four games my freshman year. Just knowing that I didn't have that pressure on me because I was so prepared, X was a big part of that."

Battle has a second-round value, according to Keith Sanchez of The Draft Network. Sanchez describes the versatile safety as a prospect who "should be able to step in and instantly fill a strong safety position role for an NFL team, and also be able to contribute at other positions on the field."

At 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, Battle has the frame to align close to the line of scrimmage as a box safety. During his final season at Alabama, Battle totaled 71 tackles and one interception for the Crimson Tide. The Giants could draft Battle to start at strong safety opposite of McKinney.