Joe Schoen and the Giants hope veteran safety Jevon Holland can provide leadership and big-play ability. originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Is Jevon Hollard a “budding star”? In a very literal sense, the New York Giants are banking on it.

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One review is in, via ESPN’s Chris Canty, the former Giants and NFL defensive lineman. Canty had some high praise for a key new addition to New York’s defense. After helping the Giants win the Lombardi Trophy in 2011, Canty knows the players that are required for a defense to become a Super Bowl-caliber unit.

On the “Breaking Big Blue” podcast, Canty called the free-agent acquisition Holland a “budding star in this league at the safety position.”

Are there stats that show that? Not yet.

Although Holland had an up-and-down final season with the Miami Dolphins in 2024, Canty believes Holland has the ball skills that you would want a DB in today’s game to have.

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“I think he can be an impact player on all three levels. He’s shown the ability to be able to blitz and get after the quarterback. He’s not a liability in coverage like a lot of other safeties in this league have proven to be,” Canty said.

The former Oregon Ducks safety is a pure playmaker and someone Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen should be excited about adding to the secondary.

Across four seasons in the NFL, Holland has recorded five interceptions, 16 pass breakups, five forced fumbles, and five sacks.

Holland will form a potential dynamic safety duo with Tyler Nubin, who had 98 tackles and four tackles for loss during the 2024 season—his rookie year with New York.

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What stands out most about Holland’s game is his versatility. He has the natural ability to cover in space and play downhill to defend the run. By injecting high-level athleticism and ball skills into the secondary, the upside of the unit is inherently elevated.

Holland is the type of player and leader the Giants need on defense, and he should help New York compete in a competitive NFC East division.

Related: Giants Fans Saying Same Thing About Thibodeaux’s Recent Post

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.